The Bundesliga is back for 2025! A clash of giants open matchday 16 on Friday while countless other fixtures have the potential to excite this weekend.

Borussia Dortmund v Bayer Leverkusen

The Bundesliga returns from its brief winter break with a blockbuster clash between two of Germany’s domestic heavyweights. For Borussia Dortmund, this match could be pivotal in their bid to break back into the top four for the first time since Matchday 3. After three consecutive draws against FC Bayern, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and TSG Hoffenheim, pressure was mounting on manager Nuri Sahin to find a win again before the short Christmas hiatus. However, the 36-year-old eased some of the scrutiny with a crucial 2-0 victory over Wolfsburg in their final game before the winter period. That result ensured BVB climbed to 6th place and avoided a winter finish outside of the top half of the table.

A key factor in that win was Julian Brandt's return. Brandt contributed a goal and an assist as Dortmund stormed to a 3-0 lead within 30 minutes. Brandt’s importance to Dortmund cannot be overstated. While this season hasn’t been his absolute best, his presence significantly strengthens the team every time he is on the pitch. This is underscored by Dortmund’s failure to win any of the four matches he missed this campaign.

Unfortunately for Sahin, just as one key midfielder returns, another is sidelined: Pascal Groß will miss the next two games following a red card against Wolfsburg. Groß’s tenure at Dortmund since his summer arrival from Brighton has been mixed. The German international’s versatility has seen him deployed across multiple positions, but this multi-dimensional quality has also seen him never really gain a consistent foothold in one continuous role.

On the other side, Bayer Leverkusen enters the fixture aiming to close the gap to FC Bayern in the top spot. Xabi Alonso’s side, last season’s dominant title winners, hit a rich vein of form before the winter break, winning their last eight matches across all competitions. During this run, they’ve scored 23 goals while conceding just five, showcasing a perfect balance between defensive solidity and attacking flair.

Leverkusen’s defensive resilience has been crucial, grinding out narrow victories like their 1-0 triumphs over FC Bayern in the DFB-Pokal and Inter Milan in the Champions League. Meanwhile, their attack is lethal despite considerable injuries. Victor Boniface has been sidelined with a hamstring issue since mid-November, but Patrik Schick has stepped up in spectacular fashion.

Once seen as a backup and possibly surplus to requirements, the 28-year-old Czech striker has made a resounding statement with his recent performances. In his last four starts across all competitions, Schick has netted an astonishing 10 goals. His hat-trick against FC Heidenheim was impressive, but even this was eclipsed by his four-goal haul against SC Freiburg in the final match before the break.

Now with Boniface back to full fitness, Alonso faces a selection dilemma. While Boniface has been a key figure in Leverkusen’s setup, it’s difficult to argue against Schick retaining his place given his extraordinary scoring form.

Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen Win

FC St. Pauli v Eintracht Frankfurt

It’s been a season filled with challenges and turbulent moments, but FC St. Pauli can feel a sense of pride as they reach the halfway mark of the campaign. After 15 matchdays, Die Kiezkicker sit four points clear of the relegation zone and are steadily advancing toward their primary goal: securing safety in the top flight.

Last week marked a major milestone for Alexander Blessin’s side, as they delivered a disciplined 1-0 victory over VfB Stuttgart in the intimidating Mercedes-Benz Arena. As has been the case throughout the season, it was their defensive resilience, not attacking firepower, that made the difference. While St. Pauli has scored the fewest goals in the league, they have been saved by the fact that only FC Bayern has conceded fewer!

The backline seems to need little adjustment, but the lack of attacking output has been a persistent concern. To address this, St. Pauli has brought in Gambian forward Abdoulie Ceesay. The 21-year-old arrives from Estonia’s Paide Linnameeskond with an impressive record of 17 goals and 7 assists in 23 matches. His clinical finishing and confidence in front of goal offer hope for a team that has struggled to find the back of the net.

In stark contrast, Eintracht Frankfurt has had no such issues in front of goal. Die Adler have scored 35 times this season, with Omar Marmoush alone outscoring the entire St. Pauli squad. However, despite their attacking prowess, all is not well in Frankfurt. Dino Toppmöller’s team entered the winter break in poor form, failing to win any of their last five competitive matches...