180
The Bundesliga returns after a two-month break for the FIFA World Cup and the winter holidays. A lot can happen in two months and it will be anyone’s guess if the teams can resume the competition the way they ended it.
Eintracht Frankfurt – FC Schalke 04
Eintracht Frankfurt will resume the season in fourth place as they gear up for a Champions League last-16 tie with Napoli in February. Schalke are bottom of the table and five points away from safety. The break may be the perfect medicine to help the Blues get out of danger.
Frankfurt ended the first part of the league season unbeaten in three straight games. The Eagles have been up and down at home with 13 points from eight games. They scored 18 times at home and conceded 13 goals.
The home team won the last four head-to-head meetings between Eintracht Frankfurt and Schalke. History doesn’t bode well for Schalke but neither does their current form. The Blues took three points from their last six games.
- Eintracht Frankfurt are unbeaten in 8 of their last 9 matches in all competitions.
- Schalke 04 have been defeated in their last 5 away matches in all competitions.
- Eintracht Frankfurt have scored 1 or more goals in their last 10 all competitions games in a row.
- Over 2.5 goals have been scored in Schalke 04’s last 4 away matches in all competitions.
- Prediction: Eintracht Frankfurt @1.40
VfB Stuttgart – 1. FSV Mainz 05
Stuttgart edged Mainz in the teams’ last six head-to-head meetings with 3W-1D-2L. The home team is unbeaten in three straight games when these clubs collide.
Mainz ended the first part of the season on a terrible run of form. The 05ers failed to win their last four games with three of the matches ending in defeat.
Stuttgart are 16th in the league and occupy the relegation playoff place. The Swabians did take nine points from the last six games. However, consistency has been Stuttgart’s problem all season.
- There have been 4 consecutive home all competitions wins in a row for VfB Stuttgart.
- Mainz conceded an average of 1.60 goals in their matches in Bundesliga.
- In their last 25 home matches in Bundesliga, VfB Stuttgart have conceded at least one goal.
- Mainz are on an unfortunate period with no wins from their last 4 fixtures in the league.
- Prediction: Both Teams to Score @1.67
VfL Bochum – Hertha BSC
Hertha Berlin posted a record of 3W-2D-1L against Bochum in their last six head-to-head meetings. The teams are both in the bottom four of the Bundesliga standings and Saturday’s fixture is a six-point relegation affair.
Bochum are 17th in the division with 13 points. Just one point separates Bochum from safety and 15th-place Hertha Berlin. Bochum found some form before the two-month break. They secured nine points from the last six games and are on a two-game winning streak.
Hertha Berlin took six points from the last six games. Each of Hertha’s last three games on the road in the Bundesliga ended as defeats.
- We have seen 3 straight home Bundesliga wins in a row for VfL Bochum.
- Hertha BSC’s form hasn’t been good, as the team has won only 3 of their last 21 away matches (all competitions).
- At least 2 goals have been scored by VfL Bochum in all of their last 3 home matches in all competitions.
- Hertha BSC have conceded an average of 1.57 goals in their away league games.
- Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @1.80
1. FC Koln – Werder Bremen
The last six matches in all competitions between Koln and Werder Bremen were divided into two wins, two draws, and two defeats apiece. The last two meetings between the German clubs finished as 1-1 draws.
Koln are just four points above the automatic relegation places. The Billy Goats went into the two-month break on a three-game losing streak in the Bundesliga.
Werder Bremen are ninth but also on a run of bad form. The Green and White lost their last two Bundesliga games before the break.
- 1.FC Köln have lost their last 3 all competitions games.
- Werder Bremen haven’t lost in 15 of their last 18 away matches in all competitions.
- 1.FC Köln have won only 1 of their last 7 Bundesliga matches.
- Werder Bremen have defeated 1.FC Köln in just 2 of their last 13 league encounters.
- Prediction: Both Teams to Score @
