Our Matchday 11 predictions
We keep our finger on the pulse of the Bundesliga and the league is hotting up at this stage. Aswad Hasrat-Nazimi from the DW sports department picks his tips for the weekend's action.
Hertha with Friday evening form
Despite the ongoing crisis: Hertha are still unbeaten on Friday night and face a Hannover side struggling with confidence of late. Tayfun Korkut, the Hannover coach, has recently been in for some criticism and with that hanging over the visitors, we think Hertha will edge it. Our prediction: 2-1 Hertha Berlin.
Paderborn performing above expectations
Paderborn have been playing attractive football and are deservedly in seventh place. Hardly anyone would have thought this was possible at the start of the season. While Augsburg are sometimes strong, they are capable of playing poorly. On Saturday, both teams will play to win and will take "only" a point. Our prediction: Paderborn 1-1 Augsburg.
Schalke came, saw and won
Schalke always turn out to be successful against Freiburg, and it will likely happen again this weekend. Di Matteo's charges will have digested their defeat at Sporting Lisbon and will put a dampner on Christian Streich's side - who won their first game of the season last week. Our prediction: Freiburg 1-2 Schalke.
Bayern win in Rode's return
Bayern's Sebastian Rode has yet to hit the ground running at his new club, but will likely be used against his former club in Frankfurt. Bayern will hand Thomas Schaaf's side, sitting 12th, another defeat and Bayern will continue to build on their lead at the top of the league. Frankfurt have lost their last four and slide down the table. Our prediction: Frankfurt 0-2 Bayern.
Bayer without problems against Mainz
Leverkusen have slackened after a challenging start to the season in the league and Europe. But this is a battling game, during a time of crisis, and they did well in midweek against Zenit in Russia. A commanding performance is sufficient and Bayer can smile after last week. Our prediction: Leverkusen 3-1 Mainz.
Hoffenheim to show European class, again
Three days before the start of "Carnival", Cologne will take on ambitious Hoffenheim. Coach Peter Stöger will be preparing himself for an opponent who is strong on the counter. Hoffenheim are focused on picking up another strong win and staying in touch with a European spot. Our predicition: Hoffenheim 3-0 Cologne.
A draw in a game that wants a winner
Both teams need a win to get away from the stress of the relegation zone. Werder, with new coach Viktor Skripnik, were solid last week, while Stuttgart were chaotic. Bremen are at the top of the worst defense in the league with 24 goals conceded though, so there will be goals but no winer int his one. Our prediction: Werder 2-2 Stuttgart.
Wolfsburg - Bayern's newest challengers?
Wolfsburg have provided strong performances in the last few games. Dieter Hecking has already spoken about the league championship not already being over and the Wolves are on the hunt. The only thing Hamburg have been hunting this week has been yellow cards, so it remains to be seen as to whether another crude game will unfold this weekend. Our prediction: Wolfsburg 2-1 Hamburg.
Klopp must trust his players once more
After five defeats in a row, BVB are 17th in the table. Coach Jürgen Klopp has to comfort his players because Gladbach are in great shape and are playing a fast counterattacking football. Dortmund are also strong and coming off another win in Europe, can and will perform well against a strong opponent. Our prediction: Dortmund 1-1 Gladbach.