Union Berlin vs. Stuttgart (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Union Berlin will be desperate to avoid an eighth successive defeat in all competitions when they host Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
The visitors, on the other hand, head to the capital on a run of five consecutive victories, and claiming another one could move them top of the table.
We say: Union Berlin 2-2 Stuttgart
The international break came at the best possible moment for Union Berlin, whose collective confidence understandably appeared to be on the floor after suffering seven straight defeats in all competitions. Stuttgart, on the other hand, have mostly been an irrepressible force, led by their talismanic striker Guirassy.
Both teams' contrasting runs of form surely cannot continue for too much longer, particularly in the case of the hosts, who contain too much quality and spirit to keep losing. As such, we can envisage an entertaining score draw in the capital, which is a result that neither manager would likely be too disappointed with.
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Freiburg vs. VfL Bochum (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Freiburg will be aiming to return to winning ways when they host VfL Bochum in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, are yet to win this season, although four draws from seven matches have kept them outside of the automatic relegation places for now.
We say: Freiburg 1-0 VfL Bochum
These two sides have only scored 12 goals combined across their seven league games apiece so far this season, so it is difficult to envisage either goalkeeper enduring particularly busy afternoons.
Bochum showed they are capable of resisting pressure when claiming an unlikely point away to Leipzig in their last match, but we expect Freiburg to edge a narrow encounter and return to winning ways.
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Wolfsburg vs. B. Leverkusen (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Wolfsburg will be looking to return to winning ways when they host Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, headed into the international break top of the table after claiming 19 points from their opening seven games.
We say: Wolfsburg 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Wolfsburg's form has been inconsistent so far this season, but they have performed much better on home soil, suggesting that they can give Leverkusen a run for their money on Saturday.
However, Alonso's side look to be a cut above their forthcoming opponents, and we can envisage them winning a sixth straight game in all competitions.
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Hoffenheim vs. Frankfurt (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt will both be hoping to record back-to-back victories when they meet in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Frankfurt trail their opponents in the table by five points, so they will be desperate to make up ground on the European qualification spots.
We say: Hoffenheim 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
Should Kramaric miss out through injury as expected, that would clearly make Hoffenheim less likely to win this match, especially with Frankfurt generally proving tough to beat in any case.
The hosts are yet to draw a match this season, whereas Toppmoller's side have shared the spoils in more than half of their league games, and we can envisage another stalemate between two evenly-matched sides.
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SV Darmstadt 98 vs. RB Leipzig (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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RB Leipzig return from the international break with a trip to the Merck-Stadion am Bollenfaltor for Saturday's encounter with newly-promoted SV Darmstadt 98.
The hosts have recorded victories in their last two matches, while die Roten Bullen are unbeaten in six Bundesliga games.
We say: SV Darmstadt 98 0-2 RB Leipzig
Darmstadt would have taken confidence from picking up consecutive victories, but we think that they will come undone against a Leipzig side that have won their last two Bundesliga away matches without conceding a single goal.
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Mainz vs. Bayern (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Returning to Bundesliga duty after the international break, champions Bayern Munich visit struggling Mainz 05 at MEWA Arena on Saturday.
While Bayern are, for once, not top of the table after the first seven matches, their bogey team Mainz have yet to win in the league this term.
We say: Mainz 05 0-2 Bayern Munich
Even with half an eye on Tuesday's Champions League clash with Galatasaray, it should be a straightforward matter for Bayern Munich to halt their losing streak in Mainz this weekend. While the champions can score from all angles, their hosts have been awful at the back this term and cannot hope to keep Bayern at bay for a full 90 minutes.
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Barney Corkhill
