The Matchday Preview

All season long premium subscribers will receive exclusive previews for the upcoming round of Bundesliga fixtures. Today, game week 20 kicks off!

All season-long premium subscribers will receive exclusive previews for the upcoming round of Bundesliga fixtures. Today, game week 20 kicks off! There is a Friday encounter between two of the league’s most in-form outfits, FC Bayern’s boogey team rolls into town on Saturday, and countless other exciting encounters to keep you entertained.

FC Heidenheim v Borussia Dortmund 

FC Heidenheim are continuing their fantastic debut topflight campaign with an impressive result away from home last Saturday. 

Frank Schmidt’s side took a point from the PreZero arena in Hoffenheim, extending their top-flight unbeaten run to 6 matches. Only Bayer Leverkusen are longer without defeat in the Bundesliga, with Heidenheim a mere 5 points away from the UEFA Conference league position now. 

A lot has been spoken about the exploits of Jan-Niklas Beste - the 25-year-old has 5 goals and 9 assists - but equally impressive is his attacking counterpart Eren Dinkçi. 

The Werder Bremen loanee added his 7th goal of the campaign on Saturday, making him the outright top scorer in Heidenheim. 

FC Heidenheim are on an unprecedented undefeated run, but Borussia Dortmund are the true ‘team of the moment’ in the Bundesliga. Die Schwarz-Gelben are the only Bundesliga side who have not dropped a point in the new year, winning all 3 of their league matches in 2024. 

19-year-old talent Youssoufa Moukoko earned a rare start, but it was his strike partner - Niclas Füllkrug - who stole the headlines. The 30-year-old scored the first hattrick of his BVB career, providing further evidence that he is the right man to lead the line for Germany at this summer’s European Championship. 

Prediction: Borussia Dortmund Win

SC Freiburg v VfB Stuttgart

After a stylish 3:2 win over TSG Hoffenheim two weeks ago, SC Freiburg’s attacking deficiencies returned again on Saturday with an uninspiring 3:1 defeat to Werder Bremen. A Vincenzo Grifo penalty provided the only avenue to goal, with Freiburg otherwise managing just 2 shots on target. 

Freiburg remain a competitive force in the race for Europe, but compared to last season they simply lack the same edge going forward. At the same stage last year, Streich’s side had scored 5 more goals and collected 6 more points. 

A club that clearly knows where the opposition goal is are Freiburg’s upcoming opponent, VfB Stuttgart. After suffering a 5:1 defeat to RB Leipzig in late August, Die Schwaben enacted their revenge with a 5:2 victory in the reverse fixture last Saturday. 

After weeks of dropped points and missed opportunities, Sebastian Hoeneß’s side finally found their attacking edge again with creative impulses and ruthlessness in front of goal. Star striker Serhou Guirassy remained sidelined, but Denis Undav stepped up in his absence with the first hattrick of his Bundesliga career. 

The Brighton & Hove loanee has played just over 1000 minutes this season, but his 12 goals in 16 appearances make him the top-scoring German in any of Europe’s top 5 leagues this campaign. A spot at the European Championships is not guaranteed, but the 27-year-old is making a big argument to be included in Julian Nagelsmann’s side. 

Prediction: VfB Stuttgart Win

FC Bayern v Borussia Mönchengladbach 

Following the defeat to Bremen two weeks ago, FC Bayern cannot afford another slip if they want to earn their 12th consecutive league title at the end of the season. 

Their 3:2 victory in Augsburg was far from straightforward - FCA had a go-ahead goal disallowed by the VAR and Manuel Neuer saved a penalty - but the result is all that will be remembered when matchday 34 rolls around.