Freiburg vs. Holstein Kiel (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Freiburg will be looking to get 2025 in the Bundesliga off to a winning start when they play host to a struggling Holstein Kiel at Europa-Park Stadion on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts are sat in mid-table with 24 points after the first 15 games of the season, while the visitors are the second-bottom, just two points above basement club Bochum.
We say: Freiburg 2-1 Holstein Kiel
While Holstein Kiel managed to claim a big home win ahead of the December break, they have been very poor on the road this season, having conceded two or more goals in every away match and still winless after seven games.
Freiburg have not been at their best this term either, but they are one of the best in the division when playing on their home patch, and we feel they should come away from this one with all three points.
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St Pauli vs. Frankfurt (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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St Pauli will hope to carry their positive end to 2024 into 2025 and pull away from the Bundesliga's relegation zone when they host struggling Eintracht Frankfurt at Millerntor-Stadion on Saturday.
The home team beat Stuttgart 1-0 on December 21 in their final game before the winter break but are fifth last in 14th place, while their opponents are third with 27 points after 15 matchweeks and succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against Mainz 05 last time out on December 21.
We say: St Pauli 0-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Despite the visitors' struggles prior to the winter break, it is difficult to look past the fact St Pauli are unlikely to show their best level due to their numerous injury absentees.
Additionally, Eintracht Frankfurt have still been one of the league's best sides this season, and they may finally keep a clean sheet considering their hosts' offensive woes.
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Hoffenheim vs. Wolfsburg (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Hoffenheim return to action at PreZero Arena on Saturday when they host Wolfsburg in their 16th Bundesliga game of the season, where they will hope to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
Die Kraichgauer are fourth last in 15th place with 14 points and emerged from the winter beak just four points above the 16th-placed relegation playoff spot after they lost 2-1 against Borussia Monchengladbach on December 21, whereas Wolfsburg are 11th with 21 points and were beaten 3-1 by Borussia Dortmund on December 22.
We say: Hoffenheim 1-2 Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg's recent defensive record should give Hoffenheim confidence that they can at least prevent the visitors from keeping a clean sheet.
However, it is hard to overlook the hosts' poor form under Ilzer, and considering Hasenhuttl's side have been difficult to beat away from home, it would not be surprising if Wolfsburg left with all three points.
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Heidenheim vs. Union Berlin (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Heidenheim will hope that the winter break can help them kickstart their season and escape the relegation zone, starting with a win on Saturday at Voith Arena in the Bundesliga against Union Berlin.
The hosts are third last in 16th place with just 10 points and ended 2024 in the relegation playoff spot after losing 2-0 against VfL Bochum on December 22, while the away side are in 12th place with 17 points but lost 4-1 against Werder Bremen on December 21.
We say: Heidenheim 1-1 Union Berlin
Heidenheim should come into the weekend's game as favourites given the extensive injury list of their opponents.
However, Union could benefit from the new manager bounce and at least achieve a draw away from home, defying their recent record on the road.
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Mainz vs. VfL Bochum (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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With the December break now in the rearview mirror, Bundesliga action is set to resume this weekend with Mainz 05 taking on VfL Bochum at the Mewa Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts have enjoyed a very strong start to the season, currently in fifth place coming into the New Year, while the visitors are languishing at the foot of the table after 15 games.
We say: Mainz 05 2-1 VfL Bochum
Mainz are enjoying their best season in recent memory and have dominated this fixture with four wins and a draw in their last five league encounters against Bochum. The hosts ended 2024 with five wins in their last six games, and we feel they will kickstart the New Year with a victory in this one.
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Borussia M'bach vs. Bayern (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Leaders Bayern Munich will have to keep up winning ways on Saturday at Borussia Park against hosts Borussia Monchengladbach if they are to fend off second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and reclaim the Bundesliga title at the end of the season.
Die Fohlen are in eighth place with 24 points and beat Hoffenheim 2-1 on December 21, while Bayern are first with 36 points and maintained their four-point lead on Leverkusen when they triumphed 5-1 against RB Leipzig on December 20.
We say: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-3 Bayern Munich
Die Fohlen may prove to be a difficult test for Bayern to overcome due to the hosts' strong record at Borussia Park, but Kompany will be confident that his side can take all three points given their attacking potency.
It would not be surprising if the Bavarians initially struggled to break down their opponents' low block before creating significantly more opportunities should they take the lead, as Borussia Monchengladbach would be forced to leave more space behind their defence in search of an equaliser.
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Ben Knapton
