The Matchday Preview

The Bundesliga returns! Borussia Dortmund takes on surprise league leaders FC Heidenheim, Bayer Leverkusen looks to bounce back with a win in Sinsheim, & so much more awaits on matchday three.

The Bundesliga returns after an action-packed international break. Borussia Dortmund takes on surprise league leaders FC Heidenheim, Bayer Leverkusen looks to bounce back with a win in Sinsheim, & seven other thrilling matchups await in Germany's top flight.

Season Prediction Accuracy: 11/18 (61%)

Borussia Dortmund v FC Heidenheim 

Borussia Dortmund’s start to the season under Nuri Şahin has been solid but far from spectacular. Unbeaten after two matchdays and sitting in fourth place with four points, Die Schwarz-Gelben have shown defensive solidity but are still searching for attacking fluency.

Şahin's switch to a back-three has been a notable success, with Dortmund yet to concede a goal. However, their struggles in the final third are cause for concern. Dortmund's attack has lacked cohesion, with individual brilliance providing fleeting relief for a collective failure. Jamie Gittens’ moments of magic made the difference against Eintracht Frankfurt, but a week later, no one stepped up, resulting in a frustrating 0-0 draw with Werder Bremen.

There is hope on the horizon, though, as summer signing Serhou Guirassy could make his long-awaited debut for this crucial fixture. Guirassy was sidelined with a knee injury since his arrival, but he finally returned to team training during the international break. His goal-scoring ability could provide the edge Dortmund desperately needs. With 28 goals and five assists for Stuttgart last season, Guirassy’s return would be a timely boost to an attack that has underwhelmed so far.

Meanwhile, Dortmund’s upcoming opponents, FC Heidenheim, have been a revelation in front of goal. The South German side currently tops the Bundesliga with a league-leading six goals. They are wholeheartedly defying expectations after a summer of significant departures. Maintaining this form will be difficult, but Frank Schmidt's side has adapted remarkably well in the new season.

A large part of Heidenheim’s early success has been down to the outstanding performances of 18-year-old Paul Wanner, on loan from FC Bayern. Wanner has been electric, contributing two goals and one assist in just 151 minutes of Bundesliga action. He’s also made an impact in cup competitions, scoring in the DFB Pokal first round and changing the game in the UEFA Conference League playoff second leg with a goal and an assist off the bench.

As the season wears on the departures of Tim Kleindienst, Jan-Niklas Beste, and Eren Dinkci will undoubtedly make themselves known, but for now, Paul Wanner and the other new arrivals are making these seismic departures go unnoticed! 

Prediction: Borussia Dortmund Win 

TSG Hoffenheim v Bayer Leverkusen 

TSG Hoffenheim have started this season much like they ended the last—brimming with attacking potential but plagued by defensive frailties. Despite their offensive firepower, their backline looks ill-equipped for Bundesliga competition, let alone any hopes of European qualification.

Their early results highlight this imbalance. Hoffenheim began the season with a 3-2 win over Holstein Kiel, only to follow it up with a 3-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt. While only Bayer Leverkusen have scored more goals so far, Hoffenheim's leaky defense is second only to VfB Stuttgart for the most goals conceded.

Fixing their defensive issues will require a collective effort, but they also can't afford to rely solely on Andrej Kramarić up front. The Croatian striker has scored all four of Hoffenheim's goals this season, single-handedly carrying the attack. Kramarić’s impressive form sees him leading the early Golden Boot race, but Hoffenheim will need others to step up if they want to remain competitive over a 34-game campaign. 

Their opponents, Bayer Leverkusen, tasted Bundesliga defeat for the first time in 463 days last matchday. What seemed like another routine win after racing to a 2-0 lead against RB Leipzig quickly unraveled, as Leverkusen collapsed in the second half, ultimately losing 3-2 at the BayArena.

In truth, a defeat had been looming for Leverkusen. They narrowly escaped with last-minute equalizers twice last April, and the sense of decline has lingered since March. Whether it’s fatigue, a dip in form, or simply a return to the mean, Leverkusen’s invincibility has been shattered. Xabi Alonso’s side are now fully entrenched in a fierce battle for the Meisterschale, proving they are no longer untouchable. 

Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen Win

RB Leipzig v Union Berlin 

RB Leipzig made a bold statement in the Bundesliga title race by ending Bayer Leverkusen’s 36-game unbeaten domestic streak; a run that had stretched back to May 2023. What made the victory even more impressive was the adversity Leipzig overcame. They lost midfield dynamo Amadou Haidara to a head injury in the opening minutes, saw manager Marco Rose sent to the stands, and quickly fell 2-0 behind. It seemed destined to be another routine win for Leverkusen.