Preview:  Revierderby takes centre stage as Bayern Munich host Augsburg

Schalke 04 vs Dortmund's clash headlines Bundesliga gameweek 24

BUNDESLIGA Preview:  Revierderby takes centre stage as Bayern Munich host Augsburg

Joba Ogunwale 18:24 - 10.03.2023

Bayern Munich are the biggest club in Germany, but their game will have to take the back seat this weekend in Bundesliga.

It is gameweek 24 in Bundesliga this weekend, with so many exciting matches to look forward to after last week’s round of games. 

Following the conclusion of gameweek 23, the top of the table remains unchanged, with Bayern Munich leading Borussia Dortmund on goal difference. 

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However, Union Berlin dropped further in the title race after they were held to a goalless draw by FC Cologne. 

Gameweek 24 gives them a chance to close the gap again, though. We preview some of the games this weekend. 

Bayern Munich vs Augsburg 

Bayern Munich have been inconsistent since the turn of the year, but surprisingly, they are still on course to win the treble. 

Julian Nagelsmann’s men have won just four of their seven Bundesliga games this year, but they still control their destiny. 

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They can take an outright lead in the Bundesliga title race with a win over Augsburg, depending on Dortmund's result. 

Bayern Munich will be seeking revenge against Augsburg
Bayern Munich go into the match against Augsburg after beating PSG Serge Gnabry celebrates with his Bayern Munich teammates after scoring against PSG

Bayern Munich go into the match against Augsburg as the avourite, having secured a comfortable win over PSG in their Champions League clash. 

The Bavaria giants have won also seven of their last eight home games against Augsburg. However, Augsburg will feel hopeful going into this game, as they have always made life hard for Bayern Munich. 

The away side even beat Bayern in the reverse fixture last year, so they know a thing about beating the champions. 

Schalke 04 vs Borussia Dortmund 

The biggest game in Germany is none other than Schalke’s clash against Borussia Dortmund at VELTINS-Arena. 

Dubbed the Revierderby, Schalke’s clash against Dortmund is one of the most famous derbies in Germany. 

Schalke will be looking to move out from the relegation zone with a victory over their opponents on Saturday. 

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The Royal Blues’ good run of form in recent games has taken them off the bottom of the table and will look to continue in the same vein against Dortmund.

Schalke will be hoping to make it three wins on the bounce but face a Dortmund side unbeaten in the league this year. 

Dortmund suffered their first defeat this year on Tuesday, losing 2-0 to Chelsea in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash. 

Borussia Dortmund will be hoping to continue their good form in Bundesliga despite the defeat against Chelsea
Borussia Dortmund will be hoping to continue their good form in Bundesliga despite the defeat against Chelsea Borussia Dortmund players protest after Chelsea get awarded a penalty

The result sent Dortmund out of this year’s competition, but they cannot dwell on the result for too long as they are currently in the title race. 

The Black and Yellow have won all of their seven Bundesliga games in 2023 and will feel confident going into the encounter despite the disappointment of Tuesday. 

Dortmund are the favourites for this one, having their last four games against Schalke in all competitions. 

Although Dortmund manager Edin Terzić will be without Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt for this one, he still has enough firepower up front.

Freiburg vs Hoffenheim

Freiburg have been one of the surprise packages of this season, as they are currently punching above their weights. 

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Breisgau Brazilians are still in the title race, although a Champions League spot looks more realistic. 

They are currently in fifth place, but they have a chance to move into the top four if they beat Hoffenheim on Sunday. 

Freiburg have been the surprise package of this season
Freiburg will be hoping to bounce back after losing to Juventus Freiburg players against Juventus Adrien Rabiot in their Europa League clash

Although they lost to Juventus in their Europa League clash, Freiburg are unbeaten in their last four league games with two wins and two draws. 

The good form will likely continue against a Hoffenheim side that have lost their last six games in the Bundesliga. 

The Blues have not won a league game since October last year and have not scored in their last three matches. 

Hoffenheim are just outside the relegation due to a better goal difference, but they need to start picking up points if they want to avoid the drop. 

Wolfsburg vs Union Berlin 

It has been a good season so far for Union Berlin, but their level has dropped in recent games, losing to Bayern Munich before playing a goalless draw with Cologne. 

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However, they have a chance to return to winning ways against Wolfsburg. But it is going to be a difficult game as they have lost their last four away games against Wolfsburg in all competitions. 

If Urs Fischer’s men are to get something from the game, they will need to solve their issues in front of goal, having gone three league games without scoring. 

Union Berlin players celebrate a goal
Union Berlin will be hoping to bounce back against Wolfsburg Union Berlin players celebrate a goal

The good news for them, though, is that Wolfsburg are not doing well themselves. The Wolves have won just four of their last and have fallen behind in the race to qualify for Europe. 

Nonetheless, their home record against Union makes them the favourite for this game.  

Meanwhile, in other games this weekend, RB Leipzig can go above Union Berlin if they beat Borussia Monchengladbach and Union lose or draw their game. 

Also, Bayer Leverkusen will hope to move further up the table when they travel to Werder Bremen. 

Hertha Berlin take on Mainz, Eintracht Frankfurt host VFB Stuttgart, while FC Cologne kicks off the action against VFL Bochum. 

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Expert Predictions for Bundesliga gameweek 23

In-house betting expert Kolawole Babatunde gives the best predictions from each game in Bundesliga round

  • Cologne - Bochum - Cologne to Win
  • Leipzig - Monchengladbach - Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals
  • Eintracht Frankfurt - Stuttgart - Over 2.5 Goals
  • Hertha BSC - Mainz - Both Teams To Score
  • Bayern Munich - Augsburg - Bayern to win and Both Teams To Score
  • Schalke - Borussia Dortmund - Dortmund to win or draw and Under 3.5
  • Freiburg - Hoffenheim - Freiburg to Win
  • Werder Bremen - Bayer Leverkusen - Both Teams To Score
  • Wolfsburg - Union Berlin - Wolfsburg win or draw

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