It’s been a long two months without football. By this point, most of the divisions across Europe should have been decided and we should have been anticipating Euro 2020. Sadly, that wasn’t to be as the coronavirus pandemic put paid to any sporting events continuing. But finally, football fans can get their fix as the Bundesliga resumes from May 16th. Compared to recent campaigns, the division is a lot tighter, although it’s no surprise to see Bayern Munich top of the table and the favourites in the latest Bundesliga odds. It feels as though it’s the opening day of the season once more and as we gear up to watch on the final nine rounds of matches, let’s take a look at the fixtures you simply cannot miss when it comes to matchday 26.
Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke
What better way to kick things off than with a Revierderby? Dortmund are chasing the title and find themselves four points behind leaders Bayern, while Schalke are in the all-important final place for European football. Currently on 37 points and in sixth place, some 10 points behind Bayer Leverkusen, they find a number of teams hot on their heels for that coveted place in the Europa League, including Wolfsburg and SC Freiburg. Of course, there won’t be that usual added spice associated with a derby game, with the match at Signal Iduna Park being played behind closed doors – but both sets of fans watching on at home will want bragging rights. League fixtures between the two are usually quite close, and history shows that Dortmund edge it with 33 wins to Schalke’s 32. Earlier in the season, the rivals played out a goalless draw, and no doubt fans will be hoping for more excitement at the weekend as the league resumes.
Union Berlin vs Bayern Munich
There are no surprises at this stage of the season with Bayern on top as things stand, largely down to their star man Robert Lewandowski, who’s netted 25 goals this term so far. The four-time winner of the ‘Kicker Torjägerkanone’ looks set to make it a third campaign in a row that he’s been top goalscorer. However, new boys Union Berlin have provided a few shocks this season already. Promoted last season via the play-offs, the Stadion An der Alten Försterei has been somewhat of a fortress in their first ever season in the top-flight. Urs Fischer’s side have already secured home wins over Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach, and could well spring another surprise at the weekend. Union Berlin have put on a decent show in their debut Bundesliga campaign, sitting in 11th and just seven points off a place in Europe. With Dortmund hot on Bayern’s heels, this weekend could well prove to be an indicator of where the title is heading with just nine matches remaining.
Fortuna Düsseldorf vs Paderborn
A tense six-pointer at the bottom of the table, as 16th hosts 18th. Fortuna are currently in the relegation play-off, while new boys Paderborn are rooted to the foot of the table – with six points separating the two sides. The visitors are without a win in seven and have won just four matches so far this season – two at home and two away. Fortuna haven’t fared much better, with five wins – their home form marginally better than on the road. Results have changed under Uwe Rösler who became head coach on January 29th, but Fortuna have won one game since the turn of the year. When the two met earlier this season, it was Paderborn who were victorious, with a 2-0 win. There’s no doubt that both sides will want those all-important three points in a bid to avoid the drop, but with games running out, who will come out on top this weekend?
