Mainz vs. Frankfurt (Sunday, 2.30pm)
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Mainz 05 will host a buoyant Eintracht Frankfurt side at the MEWA Arena this Sunday in what may turn out to be a highly-entertaining and aggressive tie.
In the first Rhine-Main derby of the season, local bragging rights will be on offer alongside the much-needed morale boost of entering the winter break on a considerable high.
We say: Mainz 05 1-3 Eintracht Frankfurt
Glasner's Frankfurt are flying high at the moment, showing off their offensive skill with their high goal-output this season. Though their record against Mainz is abysmal, they are facing them at possibly the best time and on the highest vein of form since their Europa League victory last May.
Mainz will look to take on Frankfurt in a confrontational, direct manner, making use of their bullish midfield and, particularly, try to bring their attacking talismans Karim Onisiwo and Lee Jae-sung into the game down the channels.
However, such an aggressive and risky style will play right into the hands of Glasner's tactically-astute side, with Kamada, Muani and Jesper Lindstrom adept at exploiting any gaps left behind on the turnover.
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Freiburg vs. Union Berlin (Sunday, 4.30pm)
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The Bundesliga's two unlikely title challengers face off as Union Berlin make the 735-kilometre trip to Freiburg this Sunday.
The weekend's late kickoff will prove to be a fascinating contest in demonstrating which David may go on to challenge the Goliath of Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga in May.
We say: Freiburg 2-1 Union Berlin
Though it is expected to be a fiercely-contested match between the two top-four candidates, Freiburg's excellent home record and more consistent recent form gives Die Breisgau-Brasilianer the slight edge against their Berliner counterparts.
Defeat would be a disappointing end to the first half of the season for Urs Fischer's side, but the might of Gregoritsch, Grido and the stalwart back line will be too much to withstand for a Union team in much need of a long winter's rest.
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Barney Corkhill
