Bundesliga Matchday 5 Preview

We head to the first midweek slate of matches this week, It’s Oktoberfest in Munich, so Bayern are heavily favored against Augsburg. Wolfsburg were plunged down to Earth while Berlin continue their rarified air. Bayer Leverkusen had some progress while Schalke did not. Grab a cold one (or non-alcoholic beverage if you don’t drink). Welcome to Matchday 5.

WERDER BREMEN vs. HERTHA BERLIN (Tuesday at 11:30am CT, FS2)

The Green-Whites have both their away matches, but have drawn both their home matches. That said, Bremen are unbeaten in 15 matches at Weser Stadion under Florian Kohfeldt. Claudio Pizarro, who started the win against Augsburg, might make his 450th appearance in the Bundesliga which is 95 more than the next non-German on the all-time appearance list (Schalke’s Naldo). 

Hertha continued their fine form with a win over Borussia Mönchengladbach and are currently second in the table. However, the Capital Club will likely miss Marko Grujic who went down with an ankle injury. Per Skjelbred looks set to replace him. One habit that Hertha would like to kick is conceding penalties. They have done so each of the last four matches which is a Bundesliga record. 

BAYERN MUNICH vs. FC AUGSBURG (Tuesday at 1:30pm CT, FS1)

Bayern are unbeaten during Oktoberfest for the last eight years. This year started as no exception as they dismissed Schalke thanks to the efforts of James Rodriguez. It’s been four-for-four for Bayern so far, though squad rotation may be in the offing due to the busy fixture list in October which might mean starts for Sandro Wagner and Renato Sanches. 

Augsburg have lost their last seven competitive fixtures against Bayern (being out scored 24-5 in the process) and have lost their last two this season. They are hoping that Philipp Max can start providing again for Die Fuggerstäder. Max was second in assists last season behind Thomas Müller. 

HANNOVER 96 vs. TSG 1899 HOFFENHEIM (Tuesday at 1:30pm CT, Fox Soccer Plus)

Bobby Wood did make his first start last week, but was sacrificed after 31 minutes after Mikos Albornoz was sent off in the loss to Nürnberg. Wood does have a 100% record against Hoffenheim during his time at Hamburg.

Squad rotation appears certain for the Sinsheimers with this being their fourth match in 10 days. Pavel Kaderabek is likely to be recalled on the right flank after being rested last week, while Kevin Akpoguma and Havard Nordtveit could start in defense. Adam Szalai is expected to start alongside Joelinton, while Andrej Kramaric could be rested.

SC FREIBURG vs. SCHALKE 04 (Tuesday at 1:30pm CT, FS2)

Freiburg were impressive in their win over previously-unbeaten Wolfsburg. Both Nils Petersen and Roland Sallai opened their accounts this season on Saturday. They will be up against the team they have won most often in the Bundesliga (13 wins).

Schalke are still on zero after their loss to Bayern on Saturday. Worse, Weston McKinnie will miss the match due to a bruised leg, though that is not as serious as once feared. Schalke have just two goals so far and both have been after the 84th minute, though they have scored in their last 16 away matches.

FORTUNA DUSSELDORF vs. BAYER LEVERKUSEN (Wednesday at 11:30am CT, FS2)

Fortuna are unbeaten in their last three after a 0-0 draw against Stuttgart giving goalkeeper Michael Rensing his first Bundesliga clean sheet since March 2012. It was only the second time in 21 matches this calendar year that Fortuna didn’t score. While they have just once in their last 10 against Leverkusen, Coach Freidheim Funkel has lost just once in his last eight against Leverkusen.

Despite their win on Sunday, Bayer are still off to their worst start since 1982-83. Leverkusen spent the first five and a half years of their existence at the ESPIRT Stadium before moving to the BayArena. New signing Paulinho might make his first start of the season on Wednesday.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND vs. FC NÜRNBERG (Wednesday at 1:30pm CT, FS2)

Christian Pulisic was the hero once against as he scored the equalizer against Hoffenheim on Friday. A reshuffle at center back is necessary after Abdou Diallo was sent off in the match. Real Madrid loanee Achraf Hakimi could debut at fullback with Lukasz Piszczek moving inside alongside Manuel Akanji. Paco Alcacer is in line for a first competitive start after a thigh injury.

Nürnberg have conceded the second fewest goals thus far with three. They got their first win in the top flight since 2014. They will look to break a couple of ducks at the Signal Iduna Park. They have not scored in their last seven there and are winless in the top flight there since 1990 (15 matches).

RB LEIPZIG vs. VfB STUTTGART (Wednesday at 1:30pm, Fox Soccer MatchPass)

Timo Werner faces his former club looking to score against them for the first time. Leipzig are off to their worst start at any level after a return of just five points from their first four matches. Despite playing six more competitive matches than any Bundesliga team this season, coach Ralf Rangnick is cutting back on squad rotation to gain some stability. 

Stuttgart finished last season with four straight wins, but have opened this season winless in their first five. Stuttgart has yet to score against RB Leipzig in four attempts, though Mario Gomez did while at Wolfsburg. Gomez has score 10 goals in 20 matches since re-joining Stuttgart in January. 

BORUSSIA MÖNCHENGLADBACH vs. EINTRACHT FRANKFURT (Wednesday at 1:30pm CT, Fox Soccer Plus)

Dieter Hecking’s side are looking to make it 3-for-3 at Borussia Park after losing at Hertha on Saturday. Raffael is a doubt while Michael Lang could start in place of Tony Jantschke. Gladbach have been winless in their last five against Eintracht.

Lucas Torro is a doubt for the Eagles with a muscle injury. Ante Rebic made his first appearance of the season on Sunday and will be looking to start on Wednesday as does Fabian. Frankfurt are currently winless in their last three league matches.

MAINZ 05 vs. VfL WOLFSBURG (Wednesday at 1:30pm CT, Fox Soccer MatchPass)

Mainz fielded their youngest ever side (22.8 average age) in Sunday’s loss to Leverkusen. Robin Quaison, 24, is pushing for a starting place to bring a bit more experience after the Swede came on to good effect – and had a goal disallowed – in Leverkusen. Mainz are currently unbeaten in their last seven against Wolfsburg.

Wolfsburg are looking to return to winning ways after a loss to Freiburg on Saturday. They are winless in their last seven against the 05ers, but the last five were draws. They have a league-high four points from trailing positions this season.