When Hamburg hosts Leverkusen on Friday, you have a side in Leverkusen that has experienced a slump in its performance since the winter break and the sides one one draw last week against league taillight is not a lot to provide encouragement. Hamburg on the other hand is only one point above Braunschweig and is the only side that has never been relegated from the league. If Hamburg wants to avoid relegation the side needs a win. Milan Badlej is back from suspension and Ilicivic could be back.
Freiburg travels to the Schwabenland on Saturday in an attempt to garner three points from 16th spot Stuttgart. Freiburg is five points clear of relegation, but there are still 18 points to lose. For Stuttgart to survive a victory is essential.
Augsburg currently in eighth spot is clear of relegation, but the side will be playing for Bavarian bragging rights and perhaps league bragging rights, when the side hosts Bayern Muenchen. Bayern on the other hand only managed a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford midweek, and will have its eyes on the price next week, when Manchester United visits. Don't expect the A team on the pitch. After last week's 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim, the Bayern will be gunning for victory.
Frankfurt is also clear of a relegation threat, but Mainz still has a good shot at the Euro League and an outside chance to make Champions League qualification. Expect this to be one of the better matches this weekend.
Werder Bremen should be clear of relegation threat and Schalke 04 is aiming to be best of the rest. With only one point behind Dortmund the Hanseaten will be looking for another win. Nuernberg will be hosting Gladbach, a side with a good shot of a Champions League spot, while Nuernberg is only one point ahead of Stuttgart. The Franken need a win to have a chance to avoid relegation. Nuernberg can be a threat at home. Will Gladbach have the grit to overcome a Nuernberg challenge.
Dortmund got a thumping from Real Madrid midweek and will try to redeem themselves to gain some encouragement for next week's UCL encounter. Their opponents on Saturday are Wolfsburg a side that currently holds fifth spot. The side has Champions ambitions and is sure to give Dortmund a run for its money.
On Sunday Eintracht Braunschweig hosts hosts Hannover 96. For Braunschweig relegation is real, and for Hannover a win is critical, although the side has a five point cushion from a relegation spot. Both sides must win to make use of the points available in the last six games.
Berlin hosts Hoffenheim in the second Sunday match. Both sides are free of relegation worries and are equal in points at 36. With 11 points short of any relegation spot, while mathematically possible. this match is for team pride only.
Whatever happens this weekend, the quest is real for some to meet their ambitions, but serious for the clubs at the tailend of the league. There will, likely, be some upsets and surprises, but there should be plenty of goals.
The
relegation battle takes centre stage in the Bundesliga as the season
enters its final phase. Eintracht Braunschweig, Hamburger SV, Stuttgart,
Nuremberg, Freiburg and Hannover are all in danger of the drop, with
just seven points between the sides with six games still to play. Bayern
Munich, which has already wrapped up the title in record time, aims to
maintain its unbeaten run and will use Saturday's Bavarian derby against
Augsburg to prepare for Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal
return leg against Manchester United. Here are five things to know about
the Bundesliga's 29th round of games:
___
DORTMUND DEPRESSED
On the verge of exiting the Champions League after Wednesday's 3-0 quarterfinal first-leg defeat at Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund is struggling to stay positive after an underwhelming season to date. Only the German Cup remains a realistic target for Juergen Klopp's side. Second place in the Bundesliga is a minimum requirement but scant consolation for finishing so far behind Bayern for the second season in a row. The gap was 25 points last season. It's 23 now with six games to play.
Dortmund can stop Bayern's bid to become the first side to complete a Bundesliga season unbeaten by winning in Munich next week but "schadenfreude" would seem petty in an inconsistent season. Terrible luck with injuries has played its part, to be fair to Klopp's side, but the knowledge that top striker Robert Lewandowski is joining Bayern next season is unlikely to improve the mood.
Lewandowski scored four goals in one game against Madrid last season. All would be forgiven if he did it again in Tuesday's second leg.
___
WOLFSBURG BULLISH
Wolfsburg harbours dreams of being among "the best of the rest" behind Bayern and has spent more than 200 million euros ($275 million) on new players over the past five seasons to qualify for Europe. The Volkswagen-backed club is currently fifth, just one point off Bayer Leverkusen in the last Champions League qualification place.
"We want to take the chance and finish fourth," said Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking, whose side visits Dortmund on Saturday.
Wolfsburg, the 2009 Bundesliga champion, has the opportunity to return to the Champions League due to Leverkusen's poor form. Leverkusen was second but an alarming slump — just five points from eight league games — has given Wolfsburg the encouragement it needs.
___
HAMBURG IN TROUBLE
Last week's 1-1 draw with bottom side Braunschweig may have increased the pressure on Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia, but Hamburg coach Mirko Slomka is trying to stave off relegation. Hamburg is the only club to have played every season of the Bundesliga since the league was formed in 1963 and Slomka's players are under immense pressure to prevent its first relegation.
Slomka said last week the situation was "ominous" after a 3-1 defeat at Borussia Moenchengladbach left his side just two points above last-placed Braunschweig.
Hamburg hosts Leverkusen on Friday, when the home side will be looking for just its third win from nine games.
Hamburg striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga is out with muscle problems. However, Ivo Ilicevic could be back after recovering from his thigh strain and Milan Badelj will be back from suspension.
___
FIGHTING THE DROP
Stuttgart hosts Freiburg on Saturday for a derby both sides are desperate to win. Stuttgart occupies the relegation playoff place by virtue of a better goal difference to Hamburg, while Freiburg is five points clear but by no means safe after claiming 10 points from its last four games.
"We have to keep getting points," Freiburg striker Admir Mehmedi said. "We can only relax when it's mathematically safe."
Nuremberg is just two points above Stuttgart and will have to cope without suspended defensive players Emanuel Pogatetz and Niklas Stark against Borussia Moenchengladbach, also Saturday.
Hannover, which has been dragged back into the relegation scrap after three defeats in a row, visits bottom side Braunschweig for a high-stake Lower Saxony derby on Sunday.
"We know how special the game is for the region," Braunschweig midfielder Mirko Boland said. "But the only thing that matters for us, particularly because of the league table, is a victory. We have to win the derby."
___
BAVARIAN DERBY
Bayern remains unbeaten in 53 Bundesliga games but last week's 3-3 with Hoffenheim ended the side's 19-game winning streak in the league and — more importantly — was followed by Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Manchester in the Champions League. With one eye on Wednesday's quarterfinal return leg, Pep Guardiola will almost certainly rotate his side again for Saturday's game at Augsburg.
The title was already secured with seven games to spare and Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer warned, "A bad thing mustn't come from a good. We shouldn't get it into our heads to lose our rhythm."
Augsburg has been enjoying an excellent season, though appears to be running out of steam with just one point from four games. Markus Weinzierl has to do without his two top scorers against Bayern. Andre Hahn is suspended and Tobias Werner is out with a fractured eye socket. Defender Ragnar Klavan is also doubtful with thigh problems.
- See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/5-things-to-know-as-relegation-battles-take-centre-stage-in-bundesliga-bayern-still-unbeaten-1.941048#sthash.EhsLeDXy.dpuf
___
DORTMUND DEPRESSED
On the verge of exiting the Champions League after Wednesday's 3-0 quarterfinal first-leg defeat at Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund is struggling to stay positive after an underwhelming season to date. Only the German Cup remains a realistic target for Juergen Klopp's side. Second place in the Bundesliga is a minimum requirement but scant consolation for finishing so far behind Bayern for the second season in a row. The gap was 25 points last season. It's 23 now with six games to play.
Dortmund can stop Bayern's bid to become the first side to complete a Bundesliga season unbeaten by winning in Munich next week but "schadenfreude" would seem petty in an inconsistent season. Terrible luck with injuries has played its part, to be fair to Klopp's side, but the knowledge that top striker Robert Lewandowski is joining Bayern next season is unlikely to improve the mood.
Lewandowski scored four goals in one game against Madrid last season. All would be forgiven if he did it again in Tuesday's second leg.
___
WOLFSBURG BULLISH
Wolfsburg harbours dreams of being among "the best of the rest" behind Bayern and has spent more than 200 million euros ($275 million) on new players over the past five seasons to qualify for Europe. The Volkswagen-backed club is currently fifth, just one point off Bayer Leverkusen in the last Champions League qualification place.
"We want to take the chance and finish fourth," said Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking, whose side visits Dortmund on Saturday.
Wolfsburg, the 2009 Bundesliga champion, has the opportunity to return to the Champions League due to Leverkusen's poor form. Leverkusen was second but an alarming slump — just five points from eight league games — has given Wolfsburg the encouragement it needs.
___
HAMBURG IN TROUBLE
Last week's 1-1 draw with bottom side Braunschweig may have increased the pressure on Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia, but Hamburg coach Mirko Slomka is trying to stave off relegation. Hamburg is the only club to have played every season of the Bundesliga since the league was formed in 1963 and Slomka's players are under immense pressure to prevent its first relegation.
Slomka said last week the situation was "ominous" after a 3-1 defeat at Borussia Moenchengladbach left his side just two points above last-placed Braunschweig.
Hamburg hosts Leverkusen on Friday, when the home side will be looking for just its third win from nine games.
Hamburg striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga is out with muscle problems. However, Ivo Ilicevic could be back after recovering from his thigh strain and Milan Badelj will be back from suspension.
___
FIGHTING THE DROP
Stuttgart hosts Freiburg on Saturday for a derby both sides are desperate to win. Stuttgart occupies the relegation playoff place by virtue of a better goal difference to Hamburg, while Freiburg is five points clear but by no means safe after claiming 10 points from its last four games.
"We have to keep getting points," Freiburg striker Admir Mehmedi said. "We can only relax when it's mathematically safe."
Nuremberg is just two points above Stuttgart and will have to cope without suspended defensive players Emanuel Pogatetz and Niklas Stark against Borussia Moenchengladbach, also Saturday.
Hannover, which has been dragged back into the relegation scrap after three defeats in a row, visits bottom side Braunschweig for a high-stake Lower Saxony derby on Sunday.
"We know how special the game is for the region," Braunschweig midfielder Mirko Boland said. "But the only thing that matters for us, particularly because of the league table, is a victory. We have to win the derby."
___
BAVARIAN DERBY
Bayern remains unbeaten in 53 Bundesliga games but last week's 3-3 with Hoffenheim ended the side's 19-game winning streak in the league and — more importantly — was followed by Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Manchester in the Champions League. With one eye on Wednesday's quarterfinal return leg, Pep Guardiola will almost certainly rotate his side again for Saturday's game at Augsburg.
The title was already secured with seven games to spare and Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer warned, "A bad thing mustn't come from a good. We shouldn't get it into our heads to lose our rhythm."
Augsburg has been enjoying an excellent season, though appears to be running out of steam with just one point from four games. Markus Weinzierl has to do without his two top scorers against Bayern. Andre Hahn is suspended and Tobias Werner is out with a fractured eye socket. Defender Ragnar Klavan is also doubtful with thigh problems.
- See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/5-things-to-know-as-relegation-battles-take-centre-stage-in-bundesliga-bayern-still-unbeaten-1.941048#sthash.EhsLeDXy.dpuf
The
relegation battle takes centre stage in the Bundesliga as the season
enters its final phase. Eintracht Braunschweig, Hamburger SV, Stuttgart,
Nuremberg, Freiburg and Hannover are all in danger of the drop, with
just seven points between the sides with six games still to play. Bayern
Munich, which has already wrapped up the title in record time, aims to
maintain its unbeaten run and will use Saturday's Bavarian derby against
Augsburg to prepare for Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal
return leg against Manchester United. Here are five things to know about
the Bundesliga's 29th round of games:
___
DORTMUND DEPRESSED
On the verge of exiting the Champions League after Wednesday's 3-0 quarterfinal first-leg defeat at Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund is struggling to stay positive after an underwhelming season to date. Only the German Cup remains a realistic target for Juergen Klopp's side. Second place in the Bundesliga is a minimum requirement but scant consolation for finishing so far behind Bayern for the second season in a row. The gap was 25 points last season. It's 23 now with six games to play.
Dortmund can stop Bayern's bid to become the first side to complete a Bundesliga season unbeaten by winning in Munich next week but "schadenfreude" would seem petty in an inconsistent season. Terrible luck with injuries has played its part, to be fair to Klopp's side, but the knowledge that top striker Robert Lewandowski is joining Bayern next season is unlikely to improve the mood.
Lewandowski scored four goals in one game against Madrid last season. All would be forgiven if he did it again in Tuesday's second leg.
___
WOLFSBURG BULLISH
Wolfsburg harbours dreams of being among "the best of the rest" behind Bayern and has spent more than 200 million euros ($275 million) on new players over the past five seasons to qualify for Europe. The Volkswagen-backed club is currently fifth, just one point off Bayer Leverkusen in the last Champions League qualification place.
"We want to take the chance and finish fourth," said Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking, whose side visits Dortmund on Saturday.
Wolfsburg, the 2009 Bundesliga champion, has the opportunity to return to the Champions League due to Leverkusen's poor form. Leverkusen was second but an alarming slump — just five points from eight league games — has given Wolfsburg the encouragement it needs.
___
HAMBURG IN TROUBLE
Last week's 1-1 draw with bottom side Braunschweig may have increased the pressure on Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia, but Hamburg coach Mirko Slomka is trying to stave off relegation. Hamburg is the only club to have played every season of the Bundesliga since the league was formed in 1963 and Slomka's players are under immense pressure to prevent its first relegation.
Slomka said last week the situation was "ominous" after a 3-1 defeat at Borussia Moenchengladbach left his side just two points above last-placed Braunschweig.
Hamburg hosts Leverkusen on Friday, when the home side will be looking for just its third win from nine games.
Hamburg striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga is out with muscle problems. However, Ivo Ilicevic could be back after recovering from his thigh strain and Milan Badelj will be back from suspension.
___
FIGHTING THE DROP
Stuttgart hosts Freiburg on Saturday for a derby both sides are desperate to win. Stuttgart occupies the relegation playoff place by virtue of a better goal difference to Hamburg, while Freiburg is five points clear but by no means safe after claiming 10 points from its last four games.
"We have to keep getting points," Freiburg striker Admir Mehmedi said. "We can only relax when it's mathematically safe."
Nuremberg is just two points above Stuttgart and will have to cope without suspended defensive players Emanuel Pogatetz and Niklas Stark against Borussia Moenchengladbach, also Saturday.
Hannover, which has been dragged back into the relegation scrap after three defeats in a row, visits bottom side Braunschweig for a high-stake Lower Saxony derby on Sunday.
"We know how special the game is for the region," Braunschweig midfielder Mirko Boland said. "But the only thing that matters for us, particularly because of the league table, is a victory. We have to win the derby."
___
BAVARIAN DERBY
Bayern remains unbeaten in 53 Bundesliga games but last week's 3-3 with Hoffenheim ended the side's 19-game winning streak in the league and — more importantly — was followed by Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Manchester in the Champions League. With one eye on Wednesday's quarterfinal return leg, Pep Guardiola will almost certainly rotate his side again for Saturday's game at Augsburg.
The title was already secured with seven games to spare and Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer warned, "A bad thing mustn't come from a good. We shouldn't get it into our heads to lose our rhythm."
Augsburg has been enjoying an excellent season, though appears to be running out of steam with just one point from four games. Markus Weinzierl has to do without his two top scorers against Bayern. Andre Hahn is suspended and Tobias Werner is out with a fractured eye socket. Defender Ragnar Klavan is also doubtful with thigh problems.
- See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/5-things-to-know-as-relegation-battles-take-centre-stage-in-bundesliga-bayern-still-unbeaten-1.941048#sthash.EhsLeDXy.dpuf
___
DORTMUND DEPRESSED
On the verge of exiting the Champions League after Wednesday's 3-0 quarterfinal first-leg defeat at Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund is struggling to stay positive after an underwhelming season to date. Only the German Cup remains a realistic target for Juergen Klopp's side. Second place in the Bundesliga is a minimum requirement but scant consolation for finishing so far behind Bayern for the second season in a row. The gap was 25 points last season. It's 23 now with six games to play.
Dortmund can stop Bayern's bid to become the first side to complete a Bundesliga season unbeaten by winning in Munich next week but "schadenfreude" would seem petty in an inconsistent season. Terrible luck with injuries has played its part, to be fair to Klopp's side, but the knowledge that top striker Robert Lewandowski is joining Bayern next season is unlikely to improve the mood.
Lewandowski scored four goals in one game against Madrid last season. All would be forgiven if he did it again in Tuesday's second leg.
___
WOLFSBURG BULLISH
Wolfsburg harbours dreams of being among "the best of the rest" behind Bayern and has spent more than 200 million euros ($275 million) on new players over the past five seasons to qualify for Europe. The Volkswagen-backed club is currently fifth, just one point off Bayer Leverkusen in the last Champions League qualification place.
"We want to take the chance and finish fourth," said Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking, whose side visits Dortmund on Saturday.
Wolfsburg, the 2009 Bundesliga champion, has the opportunity to return to the Champions League due to Leverkusen's poor form. Leverkusen was second but an alarming slump — just five points from eight league games — has given Wolfsburg the encouragement it needs.
___
HAMBURG IN TROUBLE
Last week's 1-1 draw with bottom side Braunschweig may have increased the pressure on Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia, but Hamburg coach Mirko Slomka is trying to stave off relegation. Hamburg is the only club to have played every season of the Bundesliga since the league was formed in 1963 and Slomka's players are under immense pressure to prevent its first relegation.
Slomka said last week the situation was "ominous" after a 3-1 defeat at Borussia Moenchengladbach left his side just two points above last-placed Braunschweig.
Hamburg hosts Leverkusen on Friday, when the home side will be looking for just its third win from nine games.
Hamburg striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga is out with muscle problems. However, Ivo Ilicevic could be back after recovering from his thigh strain and Milan Badelj will be back from suspension.
___
FIGHTING THE DROP
Stuttgart hosts Freiburg on Saturday for a derby both sides are desperate to win. Stuttgart occupies the relegation playoff place by virtue of a better goal difference to Hamburg, while Freiburg is five points clear but by no means safe after claiming 10 points from its last four games.
"We have to keep getting points," Freiburg striker Admir Mehmedi said. "We can only relax when it's mathematically safe."
Nuremberg is just two points above Stuttgart and will have to cope without suspended defensive players Emanuel Pogatetz and Niklas Stark against Borussia Moenchengladbach, also Saturday.
Hannover, which has been dragged back into the relegation scrap after three defeats in a row, visits bottom side Braunschweig for a high-stake Lower Saxony derby on Sunday.
"We know how special the game is for the region," Braunschweig midfielder Mirko Boland said. "But the only thing that matters for us, particularly because of the league table, is a victory. We have to win the derby."
___
BAVARIAN DERBY
Bayern remains unbeaten in 53 Bundesliga games but last week's 3-3 with Hoffenheim ended the side's 19-game winning streak in the league and — more importantly — was followed by Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Manchester in the Champions League. With one eye on Wednesday's quarterfinal return leg, Pep Guardiola will almost certainly rotate his side again for Saturday's game at Augsburg.
The title was already secured with seven games to spare and Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer warned, "A bad thing mustn't come from a good. We shouldn't get it into our heads to lose our rhythm."
Augsburg has been enjoying an excellent season, though appears to be running out of steam with just one point from four games. Markus Weinzierl has to do without his two top scorers against Bayern. Andre Hahn is suspended and Tobias Werner is out with a fractured eye socket. Defender Ragnar Klavan is also doubtful with thigh problems.
- See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/5-things-to-know-as-relegation-battles-take-centre-stage-in-bundesliga-bayern-still-unbeaten-1.941048#sthash.EhsLeDXy.dpuf
The
relegation battle takes centre stage in the Bundesliga as the season
enters its final phase. Eintracht Braunschweig, Hamburger SV, Stuttgart,
Nuremberg, Freiburg and Hannover are all in danger of the drop, with
just seven points between the sides with six games still to play. Bayern
Munich, which has already wrapped up the title in record time, aims to
maintain its unbeaten run and will use Saturday's Bavarian derby against
Augsburg to prepare for Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal
return leg against Manchester United. Here are five things to know about
the Bundesliga's 29th round of games:
___
DORTMUND DEPRESSED
On the verge of exiting the Champions League after Wednesday's 3-0 quarterfinal first-leg defeat at Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund is struggling to stay positive after an underwhelming season to date. Only the German Cup remains a realistic target for Juergen Klopp's side. Second place in the Bundesliga is a minimum requirement but scant consolation for finishing so far behind Bayern for the second season in a row. The gap was 25 points last season. It's 23 now with six games to play.
Dortmund can stop Bayern's bid to become the first side to complete a Bundesliga season unbeaten by winning in Munich next week but "schadenfreude" would seem petty in an inconsistent season. Terrible luck with injuries has played its part, to be fair to Klopp's side, but the knowledge that top striker Robert Lewandowski is joining Bayern next season is unlikely to improve the mood.
Lewandowski scored four goals in one game against Madrid last season. All would be forgiven if he did it again in Tuesday's second leg.
___
WOLFSBURG BULLISH
Wolfsburg harbours dreams of being among "the best of the rest" behind Bayern and has spent more than 200 million euros ($275 million) on new players over the past five seasons to qualify for Europe. The Volkswagen-backed club is currently fifth, just one point off Bayer Leverkusen in the last Champions League qualification place.
"We want to take the chance and finish fourth," said Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking, whose side visits Dortmund on Saturday.
Wolfsburg, the 2009 Bundesliga champion, has the opportunity to return to the Champions League due to Leverkusen's poor form. Leverkusen was second but an alarming slump — just five points from eight league games — has given Wolfsburg the encouragement it needs.
___
HAMBURG IN TROUBLE
Last week's 1-1 draw with bottom side Braunschweig may have increased the pressure on Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia, but Hamburg coach Mirko Slomka is trying to stave off relegation. Hamburg is the only club to have played every season of the Bundesliga since the league was formed in 1963 and Slomka's players are under immense pressure to prevent its first relegation.
Slomka said last week the situation was "ominous" after a 3-1 defeat at Borussia Moenchengladbach left his side just two points above last-placed Braunschweig.
Hamburg hosts Leverkusen on Friday, when the home side will be looking for just its third win from nine games.
Hamburg striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga is out with muscle problems. However, Ivo Ilicevic could be back after recovering from his thigh strain and Milan Badelj will be back from suspension.
___
FIGHTING THE DROP
Stuttgart hosts Freiburg on Saturday for a derby both sides are desperate to win. Stuttgart occupies the relegation playoff place by virtue of a better goal difference to Hamburg, while Freiburg is five points clear but by no means safe after claiming 10 points from its last four games.
"We have to keep getting points," Freiburg striker Admir Mehmedi said. "We can only relax when it's mathematically safe."
Nuremberg is just two points above Stuttgart and will have to cope without suspended defensive players Emanuel Pogatetz and Niklas Stark against Borussia Moenchengladbach, also Saturday.
Hannover, which has been dragged back into the relegation scrap after three defeats in a row, visits bottom side Braunschweig for a high-stake Lower Saxony derby on Sunday.
"We know how special the game is for the region," Braunschweig midfielder Mirko Boland said. "But the only thing that matters for us, particularly because of the league table, is a victory. We have to win the derby."
___
BAVARIAN DERBY
Bayern remains unbeaten in 53 Bundesliga games but last week's 3-3 with Hoffenheim ended the side's 19-game winning streak in the league and — more importantly — was followed by Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Manchester in the Champions League. With one eye on Wednesday's quarterfinal return leg, Pep Guardiola will almost certainly rotate his side again for Saturday's game at Augsburg.
The title was already secured with seven games to spare and Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer warned, "A bad thing mustn't come from a good. We shouldn't get it into our heads to lose our rhythm."
Augsburg has been enjoying an excellent season, though appears to be running out of steam with just one point from four games. Markus Weinzierl has to do without his two top scorers against Bayern. Andre Hahn is suspended and Tobias Werner is out with a fractured eye socket. Defender Ragnar Klavan is also doubtful with thigh problems.
- See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/5-things-to-know-as-relegation-battles-take-centre-stage-in-bundesliga-bayern-still-unbeaten-1.941048#sthash.EhsLeDXy.dpuf
Friday 4 April___
DORTMUND DEPRESSED
On the verge of exiting the Champions League after Wednesday's 3-0 quarterfinal first-leg defeat at Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund is struggling to stay positive after an underwhelming season to date. Only the German Cup remains a realistic target for Juergen Klopp's side. Second place in the Bundesliga is a minimum requirement but scant consolation for finishing so far behind Bayern for the second season in a row. The gap was 25 points last season. It's 23 now with six games to play.
Dortmund can stop Bayern's bid to become the first side to complete a Bundesliga season unbeaten by winning in Munich next week but "schadenfreude" would seem petty in an inconsistent season. Terrible luck with injuries has played its part, to be fair to Klopp's side, but the knowledge that top striker Robert Lewandowski is joining Bayern next season is unlikely to improve the mood.
Lewandowski scored four goals in one game against Madrid last season. All would be forgiven if he did it again in Tuesday's second leg.
___
WOLFSBURG BULLISH
Wolfsburg harbours dreams of being among "the best of the rest" behind Bayern and has spent more than 200 million euros ($275 million) on new players over the past five seasons to qualify for Europe. The Volkswagen-backed club is currently fifth, just one point off Bayer Leverkusen in the last Champions League qualification place.
"We want to take the chance and finish fourth," said Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking, whose side visits Dortmund on Saturday.
Wolfsburg, the 2009 Bundesliga champion, has the opportunity to return to the Champions League due to Leverkusen's poor form. Leverkusen was second but an alarming slump — just five points from eight league games — has given Wolfsburg the encouragement it needs.
___
HAMBURG IN TROUBLE
Last week's 1-1 draw with bottom side Braunschweig may have increased the pressure on Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia, but Hamburg coach Mirko Slomka is trying to stave off relegation. Hamburg is the only club to have played every season of the Bundesliga since the league was formed in 1963 and Slomka's players are under immense pressure to prevent its first relegation.
Slomka said last week the situation was "ominous" after a 3-1 defeat at Borussia Moenchengladbach left his side just two points above last-placed Braunschweig.
Hamburg hosts Leverkusen on Friday, when the home side will be looking for just its third win from nine games.
Hamburg striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga is out with muscle problems. However, Ivo Ilicevic could be back after recovering from his thigh strain and Milan Badelj will be back from suspension.
___
FIGHTING THE DROP
Stuttgart hosts Freiburg on Saturday for a derby both sides are desperate to win. Stuttgart occupies the relegation playoff place by virtue of a better goal difference to Hamburg, while Freiburg is five points clear but by no means safe after claiming 10 points from its last four games.
"We have to keep getting points," Freiburg striker Admir Mehmedi said. "We can only relax when it's mathematically safe."
Nuremberg is just two points above Stuttgart and will have to cope without suspended defensive players Emanuel Pogatetz and Niklas Stark against Borussia Moenchengladbach, also Saturday.
Hannover, which has been dragged back into the relegation scrap after three defeats in a row, visits bottom side Braunschweig for a high-stake Lower Saxony derby on Sunday.
"We know how special the game is for the region," Braunschweig midfielder Mirko Boland said. "But the only thing that matters for us, particularly because of the league table, is a victory. We have to win the derby."
___
BAVARIAN DERBY
Bayern remains unbeaten in 53 Bundesliga games but last week's 3-3 with Hoffenheim ended the side's 19-game winning streak in the league and — more importantly — was followed by Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Manchester in the Champions League. With one eye on Wednesday's quarterfinal return leg, Pep Guardiola will almost certainly rotate his side again for Saturday's game at Augsburg.
The title was already secured with seven games to spare and Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer warned, "A bad thing mustn't come from a good. We shouldn't get it into our heads to lose our rhythm."
Augsburg has been enjoying an excellent season, though appears to be running out of steam with just one point from four games. Markus Weinzierl has to do without his two top scorers against Bayern. Andre Hahn is suspended and Tobias Werner is out with a fractured eye socket. Defender Ragnar Klavan is also doubtful with thigh problems.
- See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/5-things-to-know-as-relegation-battles-take-centre-stage-in-bundesliga-bayern-still-unbeaten-1.941048#sthash.EhsLeDXy.dpuf
Hamburger SV vs Bayer Leverkusen 2-1
Saturday 5 April
VfB Stuttgart vs SC Freiburg
FC Augsburg vs Bayern München
Eintracht Frankfurt vs FSV Mainz 05
Werder Bremen vs Schalke 04
1. FC Nürnberg vs Bor. Mönchengladbach
Borussia Dortmund vs VfL Wolfsburg
Sunday 6 April
Eintr. Braunschweig vs Hannover 96
Hertha BSC vs 1899 Hoffenheim
Posn Team GP W D L GF/GA Points
1 FC Bayern 28 25 3 0 82:16 78
2 Dortmund 28 17 4 7 62:31 55
3 Schalke 28 16 6 6 53:37 54
4 Leverkusen 29 15 3 11 48:36 48
5 Wolfsburg 28 14 5 9 48:42 47
6 M'gladbach 28 13 6 9 49:34 45
7 Mainz 28 13 5 10 41:43 44
8 Augsburg 28 11 6 11 40:43 39
9 Hoffenheim 28 9 9 10 63:62 36
10 Hertha BSC 28 10 6 12 36:39 36
11 Frankfurt 28 8 8 12 35:48 32
12 Bremen 28 8 8 12 33:54 32
13 Hannover 28 8 5 15 36:51 29
14 Freiburg 28 7 8 13 33:50 29
15 Hamburg 29 7 6 16 45:60 27
16 Nürnberg 28 5 11 12 34:52 26
17 Stuttgart 28 6 6 16 42:57 24
18 B'schweig 28 5 7 16 25:50 22
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