Mitch Freeley

The Bundesliga roars back into life following the international break over the weekend. Dortmund are in desperate need of a win, Bayern are targeting their fifth straight league victory and a troubled Werder Breman are sticking with Florian Kohfeldt for the visit of Freiburg. 

Dortmund looking to bounce back against Stuttgart

Borussia Dortmund will be looking to bounce back from their 3-1 Dei Klassiker defeat to Bayern Munich prior to the international break when they head to Stuttgart to open the weekends Bundesliga action on Friday evening. Peter Bosz’s side has been on an awful run in the league after initially setting the pace, Dortmund has picked up just one win in their last five league outings. They take on a Stuttgart side who are undefeated in all home games in the league so far this season.  

The Race is on for Europe

Just two points separate Borussia Dortmund in third and Borussia Mönchengladbach in eighth place. It means that the race for a top-four finish and a Champions League place is well and truly on. A run of victories from now until the end of the year would be critical for any side looking at Champions League football next season. One outsider for Europe could be Eintracht Frankfurt who is in sixth place who are undefeated in seven games. They take on fellow European rivals Hoffenheim on Saturday evening. 

Kohfeld set for home debut with Breman

Werder Breman has elected to stick with Interim head coach Florian Kohfeld till the winter break, dismissal of Alexander Nouri as head coach. Kohfeld will now be hoping that Breman can register their first home victory of the season when they take on Hannover on Sunday evening. Hannover should welcome back top goalscorer Martin Harnik into the side after the Austrian striker shook off a bug during the international break. 

Flying Bayern aiming for fifth straight league win

Bayern has enjoyed a resurgence since the return of treble-winning coach ‎Jupp Heynckes following the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti. The veteran tactician has overseen seven wins in his first seven games in charge and has helped the Bavarians clamber back to the top of the Bundesliga. Bayern will be looking for their fifth straight league when they take on Augsburg at the Allianz Arena. In injury news, Bayern has attackers Frank Ribery and Thomas Muller fit again and in contention for the match. As for Augsburg, they have lost all five of their Bundesliga matches against Bayern. 

Leipzig need to keep the heat on Bayern

Second-placed RB Leipzig will be looking to keep the pressure on league leaders Bayern, but face a stern test against Bayern Leverkusen on Saturday afternoon. Leipzig have a big game in the Champions League midweek against Monaco midweek and Coach Ralph Hasenhüttl could make some changes to the side. One player set to return is defender Willi Orban who was suspended last time out.