Bundesliga Matchday 4 Preview: Back from Break

Back from the international break and there is just one team with 100% record and they put that up on the line against Bayern Munich on Saturday.

There is just one team with a 0% record and they will try to get some against Hertha on Saturday.  That and everything in between coming up. Welcome to Matchday 4 (All times CT).

FORTUNA DUSSELDORF vs. VFL WOLFSBURG (Friday at 1:30pm, FS2):

Both Zach Steffen and Alfredo Morales played in the USA’s friendly against Mexico, but neither played against Uruguay. Steffen because he got permission to leave early and Morales because he suffered a groin injury. Steffen currently leads the Bundesliga with 20 saves which is nine more than the next keepers on the list.

Wolfsburg’s 100% record was ended two weeks ago by Paderborn. Josip Brekalo got the equaliser for the Wolves. He now has three in four competitive matches. John Brooks remains out due to a hamstring strain. 

BORUSSIA DORTMUND vs. BAYER LEVERKUSEN  (Saturday at 8:30am, FS1)

Dortmund were the shock loser against Union Berlin two weeks ago. Jadon Sancho did maintain his record of scoring or assisting on a goal in each match so far this season. Sancho has been involved in five goals this season for BVB as has teammate Paco Alcacer. Thorgan Hazard (rib) and Alex Witsel (thigh) are back in training after their knocks.   

Julian Brandt is expected to face his former team and former teammate Kai Havertz. Both were involved in Germany’s Euro qualifiers this past week. Bayer are unbeaten in their last nine matches dating back to last season. Only Bayern Munich has a longer unbeaten run (17) at present.

FC KÖLN vs. BORUSSIA MÖNCHENGLADBACH  (Saturday at 8:30am, FS2)

The Billy Goats came from behind to defeat Freiburg to get their first points of the season. Anthony Modeste and Ellyes Skhiri grabbed the goals for last season’s Bundesliga 2 champions who have scored in each of their first three games of the season. 

Matthias Ginter is a question mark for the Foals after suffering bruised rubs for Germany against Northern Ireland on Monday. There may be some changes in midfield after a 3-1 reverse to RB Leipzing two weeks ago. That loss ended coach Marco Rose’s 53-match home unbeaten streak as a manager. 

FC UNION BERLIN vs. WERDER BREMEN (Saturday at 8:30am, Fox Soccer Plus)

Any thoughts that Union would be a pushover in the Bundesliga really ended two weeks ago when they stunned Dortmund, 3-1, at Stadion An der Alten Försterei. Marius Butler scored twice and Sebastien Andersson scored once in the historic win for the Iron Men. They have a return of four points from their first three matches this season.

Josh Sargent has scored a goal every 98 minutes of play for Werder Bremen. He scored two weeks ago in his first start of the season. It was also the Green-Whites’ first win and points of the season after opening with losses to Fortuna and Hoffenheim.

MAINZ vs. HERTHA BERLIN (Saturday at 8:30am, Fox Soccer Matchpass)

Mainz are the only team without a point so far this season. Fortunately for them, they face the team closest to them in the table in Hertha. The 05s have to find a way to shore up the defense after shipping a league-worst 12 in their first three matches of the season. Jean-Philippe Mateta remains out with a knee injury. 

Hertha have followed a 2-2 draw with Bayern on the opening day with a pair of 3-0 defeats to Wolfsburg and Schalke. As a result, they are second from bottom. They are also searching for their first win of the season. There is hope that season-long loan signing Marius Wolf will help their cause. 

FC AUGSBURG vs. EINTRACHT FRANKFURT (Saturday at 8:30am, Fox Soccer Matchpass)

Augsburg is another team looking for their first win of the year after a draw and two losses. going back to April, they are winless in their last seven. The last team they did defeat was the team they are facing on Saturday. Three of Marco Richter’s five goals in the Bundesliga have come against Frankfurt.

Andre Silva is expected to make his Frankfurt debut after coming in on loan from AC Milan. He will likely partner with Bas Dost to bolster the Eagles’ attack. Silva already has 15 goals in 32 caps for Portugal.

RB LEIPZIG vs. BAYERN MUNICH (Saturday at 11:30am, FS2)

Already we have a one vs. two match-up. This time, it is RB Leipzig who is top after opening with three straight win and is determined to be the third contender for the title in addition to Bayern and BVB. Timo Werner has 10 goals in his last 11 Bundesliga matches. Marcel Sabitzer leads the Bundesliga with three assists. Tyler Adams remains out with a groin injury.

Leipzig also has the league’s most stingiest defence. Bayern have the league’s most potent offence at the moment thanks to Robert Lewandowski and Philippe Coutinho. The latter may not start after just getting back on Thursday from his international duty;Thomas Müller could start in his place. Lewandowski leads the Bundesliga with six goals on the year, one more than Werner. Leon Goretzka is out for Bayern due to minor thigh surgery. 

HOFFENHEIM vs. SC FREIBURG (Sunday at 8:30am, FS1)

Life after Julian Nagelsmann is not looking so bad so far. Hoffenheim have a win, loss, and a draw in this early part of the season. Life may be a little tougher without Andrej Kramaric who remains out with a knee injury. Steven Zuber and Diadie Samassekou are also doubts.

Freiburg opened with two wins on the season before falling to FC Köln on Matchday 3. Luca Waldschmidt did not see action in either of Germany’s Euro 2020 qualifiers, but is expected to see action on Sunday along with Nils Petersen and Brandon Borrello.

SC PADERBORN vs. SCHALKE (Sunday at 11am, FS1)

Paderborn got their first point of the season against Wolfsburg before the international break. Streli Mamba is their top scorer with two goals in three matches. An unchanged lineup is expected to be named from two weeks ago by Steffen Baumgart. 

Schalke got their first win of the season thanks to two own goals and one by Jonjoe Kenny over Hertha. Weston McKennie is expected to make his 50th Bundesliga appearance for the Royal Blues on Sunday, though it will be the first time he has faced Paderborn. Like Zach Steffen, he too received an early pass after the USA’s defeat to Mexico last weekend.