Greuther Fürth – Borussia Mönchengladbach (Saturday, 3.30 p.m.)
Duels in the Bundesliga: The story of this duel is quickly told. Borussia has won three times in three matches. In the first leg, Gladbach clearly won 4-0.
What else you should know: After only five points in the first half of the season, Fürth has improved in the second half of the season and already scored eleven points – but staying up in the league seems unrealistic with a ten-point deficit on the relegation place. For Gladbach, after a disappointing season, the main thing is to find stability again. Borussia is in the middle of the table and could – if they score in Fürth – remain unbeaten for four games in a row for the first time under coach Adi Hütter. A look at the statistics shows what potential Borussia actually has. The “Fohlenelf” have had 412 shots on goal so far this season – that’s the second-best figure behind Bayern Munich.
1. FC Cologne – 1. FSV Mainz 05 (Saturday, 3.30 p.m.)
Duels in the Bundesliga: Both teams met 21 times in league one. Eight times the points went to Mainz, six times Cologne retained the upper hand. There were seven draws. The “Billion Goats” were only able to win one of the last seven duels – in December 2020 with 1-0 in Mainz.
What else you should know: It’s been a few years since FC last won at home against Mainz. In May 2017, Cologne won 2-0 with goals from Osako and Hector. Things were dramatic in Cologne last season: The 05ers celebrated Barreiro’s winning goal in the 91st minute to make it 3-2. In order to improve the home record against Mainz, FC coach Steffen Baumgart should rely on Mark Uth – he played eleven times in the Bundesliga against Mainz and scored eight goals.
Bayern Munich – FC Augsburg (Saturday, 3.30 p.m.)
Duels in the Bundesliga: FC Augsburg will fondly remember the first leg in November. FCA won 2-1 in the end thanks to early goals from Hahn and Pedersen. It was Augsburg’s third win against the record champions in 21 Bundesliga duels. FC Bayern has won 16 times so far, twice there has been a draw.
What else you should know: Substitution mistakes in Freiburg, defeat in the premier class at Villarreal – not everything is going well at Bayern Munich at the moment. Still, anything but a win against Augsburg would be a big surprise. FCA have scored points against the top teams – but only in their own stadium. Away, Augsburg is one of the weaker teams with ten points so far. And what’s more, Robert Lewandowski meets his favorite opponent again. The Pole scored a whopping 22 goals in 18 Bundesliga games against Augsburg. In the pre-season, he scored in the 90th minute on matchday 34 to make it 5-2 against FCA. It was Lewandowski’s 41st goal of the season.
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