Schalke vs Augsburg
Time: 7:30 AM EST
Odds: Schalke +105, Draw +240 , Augsburg +260
Last Game: 3-2 Schalke on November 3rd 2019
The early game features two teams who are both looking to end a poor run of form, with neither team recording a win in their last 6 Bundesliga appearances. Shalke’s suffered an embarrassing 4-0 defeat away to rivals Dortmund in their return to play last week. Attacking midfielder Amine Harit will be out for this match after picking up a knock last week, hurting an already anemic offense that has only managed 1 goal in their last 6 matches. Schalke currently sit in 8th but a win here would see them jump up to 6th and into the last European spot. Augsburg only has 1 win in their last 10 Bundesliga games, coming at home to a struggling Bremen side. To be fair to Augsburg, their schedule wasn’t doing them any favors as they have faced the top 6 clubs in the league over that stretch. Augsburg currently sit in 14th, 4 points above the relegation playoff spot. New manager Heiko Herrlich was not allowed to coach last weekend after breaking quarantine, so this will be his first game at the helm.
Only 5 teams have scored fewer goals than Schalke so far this year but only 3 teams have allowed more goals than Augsburg. Augsburg have the 2nd worst away record in the league and have lost their last 5 away games in a row, conceding an average of 2.8 goals. Historically this has been a tough matchup for Augsburg as they have failed to record a win in the last 6 meetings, and they look to be just what Schalke need to get their offense back on track.
Mainz vs RB Leipzig
Time: 9:30 AM EST
Odds: Mainz +550, Draw +410, RB Leipzig -240
Last Game: 8-0 RB Leipzig on November 2nd 2019
The middle of the Sunday slate features yet another matchup between two teams at opposite ends of the table, as Mainz try to put some distance between themselves and the relegation playoff spot and RB Leipzig looks to move back into a Champions League slot. Mainz clawed their way back from an 0-2 deficit to earn a tie on the road at Köln last week. Jean-Phillippe Mateta returns from suspension this week to bolster the front line, while goalkeeper Robin Zentner is lost for the season on account of an ankle injury. Mainz sit in 15th only 1 spot and 4 points above the relegation playoff. Mainz have only lost 1 game in their last 6 thanks to a favorable schedule, but have allowed the second most goals in the league. RB Leipzig’s title challenge was effectively ended last week after a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Freiburg. They currently occupy 5th place in the league, but a win here would see them jump into 3rd. Leipzig have allowed the fewest goals in the Bundesliga, scored the 3rd most and are undefeated in their last 8 matches in all competitions. Swedish midfielder Emil Forsberg is unlikely to be available for this match as he is still battling a case of tonsillitis.
While they have effectively been eliminated from the title race, expect to see a highly motivated RB Leipzig side in this match. Mainz showed a lot of heart last week, but Leipzig are clearly the better team here. We’d be surprised to see Leipzig hang another 8 goals on Mainz as they did back in November when these teams last met, but Mainz is clearly overmatched and outgunned here.
FC Köln vs Düsseldorf
Time: 12:00 PM EST
Odds: FC Köln -125, Draw +290, Düsseldorf +320
Last Game: 2-0 Düsseldorf on November 3rd 2019
What better way to end a weekend of compelling fixtures than with the Rheinland Derby? While this instalment of the derby might not be the most glamorous, don’t expect a shortage of emotion when these teams meet as this rivalry extends well beyond the pitch. Host’s Köln surrendered a 2-0 lead to Mainz last week, settling for a draw. Currently sitting in 11th, it’s been a successful return to the Bundesliga for Köln after winning the 2. Bundesliga last year. With 33 points in hand Köln seem to be all but assured of staying up this year. Their success has been due to scoring the 6th most goals in the league. Düsseldorf and Paderborn played one of the dullest games of the week last weekend which ended in a 0-0 draw with the teams combining for only 2 shots on net. Düsseldorf sit in 16th in the relegation playoff spot, sitting 4 points away from safety and with Weder Bremen’s win on Saturday they are now only 2 points above an automatic relegation spot. Their schedule doesn’t get any easier from here and it will be critical for Fortuna to secure a positive result if they hope to spend next year in the Bundesliga. Düsseldorf have allowed the 5th most goals in the Bundesliga and it wont get any easier for them with defender Kaan Ayhan suspended for this match and goalkeeper Zach Steffen out with an injury.
This has been an evenly matched rivalry of late with the last 4 games being split down the middle, with 2 draws and a win each. While it might appear that Fortuna will be more motivated coming into this game, putting a nail in their rivals Bundesliga coffin would be the highlight of Köln’s season. Köln appear to have the upper hand here but anything can happen in a derby.