Bundesliga Matchday 19 Preview: Can anyone come near Bayern Muenchen?

Bayern played it's make up match on Wednesday and celebrated a 2-1 win over VFB Stuttgart.  Although the Schwaben with its defence gave Bayern a run for their money, in the end Thiago scored twice to give Pepiola's side a 2-1 victory.  With a 13 point lead and 50 points after 18 matches, is it possible for anyone to come near Bayern this season?

Matchday 19 kicks off in Braunschweig, when the taillight of the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund.  Last season's Champions League finalist, trails Bayern by 17 points and with ten wins, three draws and five losses, Juergen Klopp's side has been burdened with injuries  and is in dire need of a victory. Braunschweig has a lot of work to do to remove itself from the relegation zone in the next 16 matches.  Despite the fact that the club plays well, it has been an uphill battle to record the three victories so far.

Second place Leverkusen hosts VFB Stuttgart on Saturday.  If the Schwaben can come out with another performance like on Wednesday against Bayern, they have a very good chance to defeat Leverkusen at home.  They certainly don't want to lose two matches in a row.  Leverkusen with a four point lead over Dortmund will remain in second place either way, but would lose more ground over FC Bayern.

Schalke 04, with the return of Klaas van Huntelaar has some additional firepower and will certainly look for another victory at home against Wolfsburg.  A win by the Royal Blues could move them as far up as second place, depending on the results of Gladbach's  and Dortmund matches.  A Wolfsburg win would move the factory team ahead of Schalke.  This should be a match to watch.

Hoffenheim and Hamburg are separated by three points, with Hamburg in 16th place and Hoffenheim in 12th.  This is how little separates the bottom half of the league from relegation.  The Hanseaten are desperate for a win and Hoffenheim hopes to get back to its high scoring games and a continued climb up the Bundesliga ladder.

A fiesty Augsburg side hosts a beleaguered Werder Bremen.  Augsburg has had some success this season and with 25 points are out of immediate danger of being relegated. They could become a formidable obstacle to Werder Bremen, another side only separated from a relegation spot by three points.  The nod has to go to Augsburg for a win at home.

The remaining two matches on Saturday sees Mainz hosting SC Freiburg and Hannover hosts Gladbach.  Gladbach, currently in fourth spot will make Hannover's life difficult.  Hannover is currently in tenth spot.  This match could easily end in a draw or a win for the hosts.  All bets are off on the Mainz vs Freiburg match.  Both sides have the ability of walking away with three points.  Freiburg needs the win to move up he Bundesliga ladder and make some space between remaining in the top flight or ending up in a relegation spot.  Mainz needs a home win to remain in touch with the top half of the league.  This will be a another match worth watching.

On Sunday Eintracht Frankfurt will be guest in the Allianz Arena.  The Eagles have finally broke the jinx and won a home match, but require another victory to maintain the momentum.  An upset is possible for the Bayern side, but unlikely at home.  The question is who will Pep have in the starting lineup?

Berlin hosts Nuernberg in the other match on Sunday.  Both sides have the ability to win. Berlin, which moved up into the league after only a one  year absence look like they are here to stay.  Nuernberg finally recorded a victory, but remains in 17th spot.  Despite Nuernberg's revival, Berlin should win this one at home.

What is guaranteed this weekend are plenty of goals, some surprises and some forgone conclusions, but in the end the fans will be thrilled again, as one of the best leagues in Europe takes to the pitch.

Friday January 31

Eintr. Braunschweig vs Borussia Dortmund  1-2

Saturday February 1

1899 Hoffenheim vs Hamburger SV       
Bayer Leverkusen vs VfB Stuttgart       
Schalke 04 vs VfL Wolfsburg       
FC Augsburg vs Werder Bremen       
FSV Mainz 05 vs SC Freiburg       
Hannover 96 vs Bor. Mönchengladbach

Sunday February 2

Hertha BSC vs 1. FC Nürnberg       
Bayern München vs Eintracht Frankfurt    



Posn  Team             GP   W   D   L    GF/GA   Points
1      FC Bayern        18    16   2    0       42:9         50
2      Leverkusen       18    12   1    5       34:19       37
3      Dortmund         19    11   3    5       42:23       36
4      M'gladbach       18    10   3    5       35:21       33
5      Schalke             18      9   4    5       35:26       31
6      Wolfsburg         18      9   3    6       29:22       30
7      Hertha BSC       18     8  4     6       27:21       28
8      Mainz                18     8   3    7       27:33        27
9      Augsburg           18     7   4    7      23:27        25
10   Hannover            18    6    3    9      26:32        21
11    Bremen              18     5     5   8     22:37        20
12    Stuttgart             18    5    4    9      30:33        19
13    Hoffenheim        18     4    6   8     36:42        19
14  Frankfurt             18     3     6   8     21:29        18
15    Freiburg             18     4     6   9     19:33        18
16    Hamburg            18      4    4  10    33:41        16 
17    Nürnberg            18    1    11   6     21:33        14
18    B'schweig           19    3     3  13    11:34         12

Bundesliga Matchday 10 Roundup: Top three keep pace

The point gap of the top three Bundesliga teams grew, with all three winning their matches.  Bayern, Dortmund and Leverkusen now lead the remainder of the pack by ten points.  Bayern was humbled with its win over Hertha BSC Berlin.  Bayern was in danger of giving up two points right to the end of the 90 minutes.

Wolfsburg won against Bremen 3-0 and moved into fifth spots, while Schalke slipped into sixth.  Hoffenheim moved into the top half of the table with its victory over Hannover 96.  Nuernberg, Freiburg and Braunschweig remain in the relegation spots, with Nuerberg still chasing their first victory of this season.

The Torfabrik scored 32 goals in nine matches this weekend. 
VFB Stuttgart vs 1.FC Nuernberg 1-1

Friday's matchday opener featured the southern derbie between VFB Stuttgart and 1.FC Nuernberg.  Nuernberg, along with SC Freiburg, remained without a victory through nine starts, with just six points.  Stuttgart, with three wins was in the top half of the league.  Nuernberg's new coach, Gertjan Verbeek, hoped to change that.  The new coach only had three training sessions with his new club prior to the Daimler Benz Arena appearance.  48,460 spectators were present when Vebad Ibisevic scored on a penalty kick in the third minute.  Nuernberg pushed back and Josip Drmic got the equalizer just three minutes later.  Although Stuttgart dominated throughout the match, the Schwaben were unable to finish.  The crossbar, goal posts and Nuernberg's keeper often saved the Franken.  In the end the sides parted 1-1 and shared a point each.  Stuttgart currently is in spot six, while Nuernberg is in 16th spot.

FC Bayern Muenchen vs Hertha BSC Berlin 3-2

Berlin took it to FC Bayern from the start and were rewarded when Ramos scored in the fourth minute.   In the 24th minute Toni Kroos and Arjen Robben had to be replaced by Mario Goetze and Mandzukic.  Bayern took command of the game after Berlin's goal and in the 29th minute Mario Mandzukic got the equalizer.  In the 51st minute Mandzukic got his second of the day, giving Bayern a 2-1 lead.  Mario Goetze made it 3-1 in the 54th.  Berlin maintained its pressure and Ben-Hatira closed the gap to 3-2 in the 58th minute.  The win leaves Bayern in the top spot, leading Dortmund and Leverkusen by one point.  Berlin remains in fourth, ten points behind Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Augsburg 2-1

Augsburg took the lead in the 24th minute with a counter from their own half.  A quick pass from Morvek came to Werner, who delivered a long pass to Andre Hahn, who too the volley and one timed it into the net.  Rolfes got the equalizer for Leverkusen in the 34th minute.  Patience got  the three points for Leverkusen.  It wasn't until the 83rd minute when Can scored the winning goal.  Leverkusen remains in third spot, while Augsburg slipped to 14th.

Hannover 96 vs 1899 Hoffenheim  1-4

Hoffeneheim took a 2-0 lead in the first half with goals by Salihovic (10th) and Herdling (18th).  Hannover closed the gap shortly into the second 45, when Sane scored in the 56th minute.  Hoffenheim wasn't completely finished and Fimino scored in the 62nd and 64th minute for an importan away victory.  Hoffenheim moves into ninth spot just ahead of Hannover.

Mainz 05 vs Eintracht Braunschweig  2-0

Mainz, after six matches without a win, defeated Braunschweig 2-0.  Okazaki scored a goal in each half (8th and 68th) to earn the three points for Mainz.  Although Braunschweig dominated in the second half, the side was unable to close the deal.  Braunschweig continues to bring up the rear of the league, with four points for ten starts.  Mainz moved into  11th spot.

Schalke 04 vs Borussia Dortmund 1-3

Dortmund continues to fight head to head with Bayern.  In the local derby between the Knappen and Borussia, Dortmund has often had to take the backseat, especially in the Veitins Arena in Gelsenkirchen.  Aubemeyang put Dortmund on the scoreboard in the 14th minute for a 1-0 halftime lead.   Sahin doubled the score six minutes into the second half in the 51st.  Meyer gave Schalke some hope in the 62nd minute, when he narrowed the score to 2-1.  Jakub Blascykowski settled it for Dortmund in the 74th mintue.  Dortmund remains in second spot, one point behind Bayern.  Schalke dropped to sixth spot.

VFL Wolfsburg vs Werder Bremen 3-0

Wolfsburg catapulted itself into fifth spot with a 3-0 win over Bremen.  Arnold scored the opening volley in the seventh minute and Olic and Perisic sealed the deal in the 72nd and 89th minute.  The 3-0 victory was well deserved by Wolfsburg, which took control of the match right from the opening whistle.  Bremen has slipped to 12th spot.

SC Freiburg vs Hamburger SV   0-3

SC Freiburg continues to chase that elusive first victory this season.  Although Freiburg kept pace with Hamburg for most of the first half, an error by Freiburg's keeper Baumann allowed Maximillian Beister to get the 1-0 lead in the 37th minute.  Lasogga doubled the lead in the 47th minutes and Van der Vaart fired in the third in the 63rd minute.   With just five points in ten starts, Freiburg is settling in at the bottom of the league just ahead of newcomer Eintracht Braunschweig.  

 Borussia Moenchengladbach vs Eintracht Franfurt  4-1

Frankfurt continues to struggle in the Bundesliga, yet have been relatively successful in the Euro League group phase.  Frankfurt started this match with high hopes.  Gladbach proved to be to big a challenge for the Hessen.  Arango gave Gladbach the lead in the 11th minute and Aigner pushed right back to equalize in the 15th.  Wendt made it 2-1 in the 18th minute and Frankfurt was unable to get the equalizer before the halftime whistle.  Hermann made 3-1 in the 60th and Raffael put the match out of reach for Frankfurt in the 66th.  The win moved Gladbach into fourth spot, while Frankfurt remains in 14th. 


Friday October 25th   

VfB Stuttgart vs 1. FC Nürnberg  1-1

Saturday October 26th  
    
Bayern München vs Hertha BSC        3-2
Schalke 04 vs Borussia Dortmund      1-3  
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Augsburg    2-1
Hannover 96 vs 1899 Hoffenheim      1-4 
FSV Mainz 05 vs Eintracht Braunschweig  2-0      
VfL Wolfsburg vs Werder Bremen  3-0

Sunday October 27th
    
SC Freiburg vs Hamburger SV       0-3 
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs Eintracht Frankfurt  4-1

Position------Team-------------------GP--W---D-----L-----GF/A-----Pts

1--------FC Bayern Muenchen-------10----8----2-----0------22-6-------26
2--------Borussia Dortmund----------10----8----1-----1------26:8-------25
3--------Bayer Leverkusen------------10----8----1-----1-----22:10------25
5--------Borussia M'gladbach--------10----5----1-----4-----23:15-------16
5------- Hertha BSC Berlin-----------10----4----3-----3-----17:12-------15
6--------VFL Wolfsburg---------------10----5----0-----5-----14:12-------15
7--------FC Schalke 04----------------10----3----2-----5-----17:23-------14
8-------VFB Stuttgart------------------10----3----4-----3-----20:14-------13
9-------1899 Hoffenheim--------------10----3----4-----3-----25:23-------13
10-------Hannover 96------------------10----4----1-----4-----12:16-------13
11------Mainz 05-----------------------10----4----1-----5-----15:21--------13
12------Hamburg------------------------10----3----3-----4-----23:22-------12
13------Werder Bremen----------------10----3----3-----4------9:15--------12
14-------Eintracht Frankfurt-----------10----2----4-----4-----13:18--------10
15----- FCAugsburg--------------------10----3----1-----6----11:19---------10
16------1. FC Nürnberg----------------10----0----7-----3-----10:18----------7
17------SC Freiburg--------------------10----0----5-----5-------9:21----------5
18------Eintracht Braunschweig-------9-----1----1-----7------7:22----------4

Bundesliga Matchday 7 Preview: FCB and BVB try to break gridlock, crunchtime for Freiburg

With the midweek DFB Pokal competition out of the way, all eyes will turn to the Bundesliga. With only three goals separating top runners Bayern and Dortmund, both sides will attempt to gain the point advantage and the top of the table.  Pep Guardiola and Juergen Klopp rested some of their star players during the DFB Pokal and should be well prepared to meet the challenges.  For SC Freiburg its crunch time if the side is to move up from the leagues basement.

Both Bayern and Dortmund have home pitch advantage when Bayern hosts Wolfsburg and Dortmund hosts beleaguered SC Freiburg on Saturday.  For Freiburg it will be a major task to overcome the Borussen.  Wolfsburg, currently in sixth spot with three wins and three losses, the appearance at the Allianz arena will be a difficult one.

The Friday opener, which will be broadcast and GolTV Canada at 2:30 pm EDT, will feature FC Augsburg hosting Bourussia Moenchengladbach. Both sides have nine points to their credit, with three wins and three losses.

Third placed Bayer Leverkusen hosts fourth placed Hannover 96.  Both teams need a win to maintain contact with the leaders of the league.  The home team advantage has to go to Leverkusen.  Hannover also has to overcome the midweek thumping by FC Bayern.  Hoffenheim hosts Schalke 04 and the two clubs are separated by one point.  Schalke needs a success to live up to the expectations of a top contender in the Bundesliga.  This may be a difficult task in Sinsheim.

Berlin hosts Mainz 05 and both sides were eliminated by 2nd Bundesliga outfits, Koeln and Kaiserslautern from DFB Cup competition.  Despite an early surge in the league this season, both sides have now suffered losses and will try to  make up the deficit.  Berlin has the home pitch advantage.

The final Saturday match is in Frankfurt with Hamburg as the visitors.  Both teams require a success story.  This should be a closely contested match and all bets are off.

To conclude the matchday, Werder Bremen host Nuernberg and Stuttgart travels to Braunschweig.

With six games in the books, a pattern is emerging with Bayern and Dortmund establishing their dominance of the league.  Leverkusen and Hannover are still close enough to challenge the league leaders, making their result important this weekend.  Failing disasters, both Dortmund and Munich should emerge victorious.  With Champions League week ahead of the sides next week, the line ups will be based on strategy.  Dortmund will host Olympique Marseille next Tuesday, while Bayern travels to Manchester City.  Schalke 04 travels to Basel, while Leverkusen takes on San Sebastian at home. 


Friday 27 September

FC Augsburg vs Borussia M'gladbach   2-2

Saturday 28 September

Borussia Dortmund vs SC Freiburg     
FC Bayern vs VfL Wolfsburg     
Bayer Leverkusen vs Hannover 96     
1899 Hoffenheim vs Schalke 04     
Hertha BSC vs FSV Mainz 05     
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Hamburger SV     

Sunday 29 September
Werder Bremen vs Nürnberg     
Eintracht Braunschweig vs VFB Stuttgart


Place-----Team-----------------------GP---W---D----L---GF/GA ---Pts
1--------Borussia Dortmund-----------6----5----1-----0------16:5-------16
2--------FC Bayern Muenchen--------6----5----1-----0------13-2-------16
3--------Bayer Leverkusen-------------6----5----0-----1------15:7-------15
4--------Hannover 96--------------------6----4----0-----2-----10:8-------12
5--------Borussia M'gladbach----------7----3----0-----4-----17:13------10
6--------FCAugsburg--------------------7----3----0-----4------8:11-------10
7--------VFL Wolfsburg-----------------6----3----0-----3-------9:8--------9
8--------Mainz 05-------------------------6----3----0-----3------9:12--- ----9
9-------Werder Bremen------------------6----3----0-----3-------5:8---------9
10------ Hertha BSC Berlin-------------6----2----2-----2-----10:7---------8
11------1899 Hoffenheim--------------- 6----2----2-----2-----15:15--------8
11------VFB Stuttgart--------------------6----2----1-----3-----11:9----------7
13------Eintracht Frankfurt--------------6----2----1-----3-----8:10----------7
14------FC Schalke 04-------------------6----1----1-----4------6:14----------7
15------1. FC Nürnberg------------------6-----0----4-----1-----6:9-----------4
16------Hamburg--------------------------6----1----1-----4-----11:16---------4
17------SC Freiburg----------------------6-----0----3-----3------8:12---------3
18------Eintracht Braunschweig--------6-----0----1-----5------3:15---------1

Goals by Ballack and Sam Ensure Leverkusen Win in Matchday 13 Opener

 Ballack's and Sidney Sam's second half goals gained Leverkusen a valuable 3 points in Kaiserslautern.  This was Ballack's second goal of the season, who started in Bundesliga Career in Kaiserslautern.

 After and intensive opening 45 minutes, the game was locked in a draw.  There were several opportunities for both sides, especially for the host Kaiserslautern.  Bayer Leverkusen did little to endanger Kaiserslautern. 



Nine minutes into the second half, Leverkusen took the lead.  In the 54th minute Michael Ballack scored his second of the season.   A relatively easy shot off Ballack's left foot slips through the gloves of Trapp and the ball slipped slowly into the net.


Leverkusen scored once more in the 70th minute, after Bender delivers a pass to Sam Sidney, who pounds the ball into the net from 8 yards.  Trapp had no chance.  2-0 Leverkusen.  

The win was critical to Leverkusen.  With 21 points Leverkusen moves up to sixth place.  Unfortunately for Kaiserslautern, the team will once again be fighting against relegation.  For now they are in 12th place, at least until tomorrow. 




Matchday 13 Fixtures:

18.11.2011, 20.30    1. FC Kaiserslautern -Bayer Leverkusen 0:2 
19.11.2011, 15.30    Schalke 04 -1. FC Nürnberg 4-0
19.11.2011, 15.30    SC Freiburg -Hertha BSC Berlin 2-2
19.11.2011, 15.30    Bor. Mönchengladbach -Werder Bremen 5-0
19.11.2011, 15.30    1. FC Köln -FSV Mainz 05 (-:-) 
19.11.2011, 15.30    VfL Wolfsburg -Hannover 96 4-1
19.11.2011, 18.30    Bayern München -Borussia Dortmund 0-1
20.11.2011, 15.30    VfB Stuttgart -FC Augsburg 2-1
20.11.2011, 17.30    Hamburger SV -1899 Hoffenheim 0-2


Bundesliga Table  Matchday 13
                                                          GP   W   L    D   GF/A   Pts
1    Bayern München                        13    9    1    3    32:5       28
2    Borussia Dortmund                     13    8    2    3    27:9      26
3    Borussia Mönchengladbach        13    8    2    3   20:9       26
4    Schalke 04                                   13    8    1    4    28:18    25
5    Werder Bremen                           13    7    2    4    23:21    23
6    VfB Stuttgart                                13    6    3    4    20-13    21
7    Bayer Leverkusen                        13    6    3    4    17:16    21
8    Hannover 96                                 13    5    4    4    17:21    19
9    1899 Hoffenheim                          13    5    2    6    15:15    17
10    Hertha BSC Berlin                      13    4    5    4    18:19    17
11    1. FC Köln                                   12    5    1    6    20:26    16
12    VfL Wolfsburg                            13    5    1    7   19:26     16
13    1. FC Kaiserslautern                    13    3    4    6   10:17     13
14    Hamburger SV                             13    3    4    6    17:25    13
15    FSV Mainz 05                              12    3    3    6   16:23     12
16    1. FC Nürnberg                            13    3    3    7    13:24    12
17    SC Freiburg                                  13    3    2    8    18:29    11
18    FC Augsburg                                12    1    5    6     9:22       8