There’s a bumper Saturday of Bundesliga action to look forward to on Matchday 7 with six of the top nine, separated by only four points, all in action.
Champions FC Bayern München are in the lead for the first time this season, thanks in no small part to the record-breaking feats of Robert Lewandowski. The first goalscorer in Bundesliga history to reach double figures after just six match days, he now faces his favourite goalkeeper in Oliver Baumann and will be an unwelcome sight for out-of-form TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
Expect an attacking feast when Bayer 04 Leverkusen host deposed leaders RB Leipzig. Only goal difference separates the two sides, who are the third and second-best teams respectively for points in 2019. The game could also mark a 100th Bundesliga appearance in Leipzig colours for Timo Werner, who has netted 55 goals in his 99 games to date.
Sitting proudly in third, SC Freiburg are undoubtedly the surprise package so far. They now face a real test of their credentials when Borussia Dortmund come to town. BVB have drawn their last two Bundesliga outings, but are unbeaten in 16 games against Freiburg. A 17th on Saturday will set a new club record against a
single opponent.
FC Schalke 04 are the form side in the Bundesliga as the only team to win their last four games. Amine Harit has been key to that run with four goals, but the Royal Blues face a wounded 1. FC Köln in Saturday’s late game. The Billy Goats are second from bottom, but enjoy facing Schalke, having not lost in four encounters and recording more wins over Die Knappen than against any other team.
Borussia Mönchengladbach are also on the up with three consecutive wins and have finally broken their home hoodoo of 10 Bundesliga games without victory. Marcus Thuram has been driving the Foals forward with three goals and an assist in his last two games and could be crucial in this historically balanced fixture.
FC Augsburg, in fact, lead the head-to-head and could look to pounce after Gladbach’s midweek trip to Istanbul in the UEFA Europa League. VfL Wolfsburg are unbeaten after six matchdays for the first time in their
Bundesliga history.
They are undefeated in 10 at the Volkswagen Arena, where they host a 1. FC Union Berlin side nursing a run of three consecutive defeats since stunning Dortmund. The Bundesliga debutants are now looking nervously over their shoulders at the bottom three.
Only Bayern have fired off more shots this season than Eintracht Frankfurt and SV Werder Bremen. The Green-Whites were the only away team not to win last week, drawing 2-2 in Dortmund, but have won more matches in Frankfurt than any other visiting team.
Hertha Berlin are buoyed by back-to-back wins, but haven’t beaten Fortuna Düsseldorf in the Bundesliga for almost 40 years. Düsseldorf coach Friedhelm Funkel was once in charge at the Olympiastadion, and now returns to his former stomping ground to mark his 500th Bundesliga game as a coach.
SC Paderborn 07 pushed Bayern close last time out and will be hopeful of securing their first Bundesliga win of the season at home to 1. FSV Mainz 05. Scoring has been no issue for the promoted side, but these two teams possess the leakiest defences in the league, meaning this promises to be an exciting clash
