By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
League leaders FC Bayern München will look to take another step towards retaining the title as they host 1. FC Union Berlin this Saturday.
The Bavarians are in a very healthy situation with a nine-point lead over Borussia Dortmund going into the final eight matches of the season, albeit Vincent Kompany faces a few challenges in his team selection.
Luis Díaz and Nicolas Jackson both picked up red cards in Bayern’s 1-1 draw at Bayer 04 Leverkusen last Saturday and are suspended for the Union tie, along with defensive stalwart Jonathan Tah. Bayern’s goalkeeping department also has issues right now with Sven Ulreich, who deputised in Leverkusen, now injured as well after Manuel Neuer and Jonas Urbig missed out at the weekend.
The matchday opens with a potentially pivotal clash in the top four race. RB Leipzig suffered a narrow 1-0 loss at VfB Stuttgart on Sunday but can move level on points with third-placed TSG Hoffenheim should they beat them at home on Friday evening.
Stuttgart’s Deniz Undav scored for the fifth consecutive Bundesliga match, and the striker – who is second behind only Bayern’s Harry Kane in the top scorers’ standings – could prove to be his side’s trump card in their push to the top four. They visit FC Augsburg, who have been in impressive form since the winter break, in the final encounter of the matchday on Sunday evening.
Two big clashes await on Saturday afternoon for the battle around bottom of the table too. Borussia Mönchengladbach are to visit local rivals 1. FC Köln in a crucial Rhine derby, with both clubs eager to steer away from relegation danger.
Talented 23-year-old Gladbach midfielder Rocco Reitz will be in the limelight in his first match after an announcement he will join Leipzig in the summer. He has vowed to give everything for his boyhood club before making the switch.
VfL Wolfsburg desperately need a win at home to SV Werder Bremen to boost their hopes of escaping the automatic relegation spots, where they currently sit in 17th. Dieter Hecking (Wolfsburg) and Daniel Thioune (Bremen) have both been appointed as new coaches in recent weeks tasked with leading the sides out of relegation danger.
Saturday evening’s big game sees Hamburger SV, who have 14 points from their last 10 outings, visit Dortmund, where the hosts will don a special anniversary kit to mark 100 years of their former home ground, the Rote Erde, located right outside the giant Signal Iduna Park.