By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Bundesliga champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen can take the penultimate step to a historic unbeaten campaign this weekend, while there could be tears down the Rhine in Cologne with FC Köln at risk of relegation.
Tonight, in the game against AS Roma they could set a new all-time European record with 48 unbeaten games in a row. The competition heats up throughout the Bundesliga table.
No team has ever gone through an entire Bundesliga season without defeat, but Leverkusen are just 180 minutes away from rewriting the record books once again in this amazing campaign. Xabi Alonso’s side have not let up since securing the title a month ago. Now they visit the Vonovia Ruhrstadion in the matchday’s final fixture, the site of their last loss on the final day of 2022/23.
As for VfL Bochum 1848, they are on the cusp of safety after a remarkable 4-3 win away at FC Union Berlin last weekend. That result spelled the end for Nenad Bjelica at the helm in Köpenick. Marco Grote and assistant Marie-Louise Eta have been given the task of keeping the Irons up in the final two games, starting on Saturday in Cologne for the ultimate relegation six-pointer.
Köln in 17th place simply must win to keep alive their hopes of avoiding the drop this season. Any other result will see the Billy Goats join SV Darmstadt 98 in Bundesliga 2. Victory for Union, meanwhile, could see them safe if other results go their way. If not, they risk going into the final day in the play-off spot.
That position is currently occupied by 1. FSV Mainz 05, who host Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening. The 05ers got a draw in Dortmund on the final day of last season to deny BVB the title. They need a similar, if not better, display on this penultimate matchday if they are to complete a great escape. Borussia, meanwhile, come into the game off the back of their UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg in Paris and only three points behind RB Leipzig, although the performances of German clubs in Europe this season means both are already assured of Champions League qualification, with the Bundesliga earning a fifth berth.
Leipzig will be out to defend fourth place regardless and extend their 10-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. They host SV Werder Bremen in 12th, who themselves are only three points shy of a European place.
VfB Stuttgart know they will be playing in the Champions League next season for the first time since 2009/10 and could even take second from FC Bayern München after their 3-1 win over the deposed champions took Sebastian Hoeneß’s side to within two points. They kick off the weekend’s action away at FC Augsburg, who could still crown a good season with continental qualification as well.
Bayern have the chance to reclaim second or potentially secure a record-extending 10th runners-up finish as they play their final home game of 2023/24 against VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday, following their midweek trip to Spain for their semi-final second leg against Real Madrid. All eyes will be on 36-goal Harry Kane, who’s set to finish top goalscorer in his maiden Bundesliga campaign and is only five goals shy of Robert Lewandowski’s singleseason record with two games remaining.
FC Heidenheim 1846 guaranteed a second season of top-flight football last weekend and could also still make it into Europe. Frank Schmidt’s side visit SC Freiburg for legendary coach Christian Streich’s final home game in charge after over 11 years at the helm.
Four points ahead in sixth, Eintracht Frankfurt can guarantee a minimum of UEFA Europa League football with victory away at Borussia Mönchengladbach, who themselves are not yet mathematically safe. TSG Hoffenheim are also hot on Freiburg’s heels as they visit already relegated Darmstadt for the final Bundesliga game at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for the foreseeable future.