The action comes thick and fast, with another round of fixtures already on the horizon this Tuesday. Leverkusen will host Mainz in a clash between two of the league's most in-form teams, and there is countless other fixtures to keep you entertained on Matchday 17!

The Matchday Preview is normally for premium subscribers, but to celebrate a special set of mid-week fixtures, it is free for all to enjoy.

Holstein Kiel v Borussia Dortmund

After heading into the winter break on the back of an emphatic 5-1 victory over FC Augsburg, Marcel Rapp and his Holstein Kiel side were hopeful their newfound momentum would carry over into their away clash against Freiburg. However, the challenge proved more daunting than anticipated, as Kiel remain winless on the road following a 3-2 defeat.

The afternoon seemed destined to end in frustration when Freiburg raced to a 3-0 lead by the 74th minute, but Kiel nearly staged a remarkable comeback, pulling two goals back before full-time. Central to this late surge was 22-year-old Phil Harres, who netted both goals for Die Störche. Harres’ rise has been meteoric—just last season, he was plying his trade in the semi-professional fourth tier of German football. Now, he has 6 goals in 672 Bundesliga minutes, proving he belongs at this level. A graduate of Bochum’s academy, Harres’ performances hint at a promising future, regardless of Kiel’s fate this season.

Meanwhile, for Borussia Dortmund, Tuesday’s fixture represents a critical test as they seek to climb back into the top six after a disheartening loss to Bayer Leverkusen. The 3-2 defeat highlighted the vulnerabilities of a depleted Dortmund defense, which struggled to cope with the reigning champions’ attacking prowess. With injuries, illness, and suspensions taking their toll, youngsters Almugera Kabar and Yannik Lührs were handed starting debuts, while Julian Ryerson was deployed out of position as a makeshift center-back.

The good news for Dortmund fans is that key players like Emre Can, Ramy Bensebaini, and Nico Schlotterbeck could return for Tuesday’s crucial match after recovering from illness. However, even their reintegration won’t guarantee success. Dortmund’s away form has been dismal, with just 5 points from 7 matches on the road this season. Adding to their challenges, Kiel’s two wins this campaign have both come at home, including the latest 5-1 triumph over Augsburg.

Prediction: Borussia Dortmund Win

Bayer Leverkusen v Mainz 05

Bayer Leverkusen have begun 2025 where they left off in 2024, winning their 9th consecutive fixture in all competitions with a 3-2 triumph over Borussia Dortmund. Although Dortmund dominated possession with 70%, registered 12 shots to Leverkusen’s 7, and earned three times as many corners, the result was thoroughly deserved and yet another testament to Xabi Alonso’s tactical brilliance and adaptability. The Spanish coach expertly identified Borussia Dortmund’s makeshift defense as a potential weakness. Alonso’s high defensive line compressed the play, cutting off passing lanes to midfield, and forced Dortmund’s backline to create from long passes or carries where they appeared incredibly incapable.

This tactical strategy resulted in a subdued performance from Dortmund, with key forward Serhou Guirassy managing just two touches in the penalty area, one of which was the penalty he converted in the 78th minute. Outside of that goal, it was arguably the most quiet game of the season for Guirassy. On the other hand, Bayer Leverkusen’s center-forward Patrik Schick continued his remarkable form, scoring a brace in the first half. Schick now has 12 goals in his last 5 competitive matches. If penalties are excluded, only Omar Marmoush has scored more frequently this season, but even this has been achieved with nearly 800 more minutes played than the Czech international. Schick’s efficiency is unmatched, scoring 11 goals in just 563 Bundesliga minutes!

Meanwhile, Mainz are experiencing a similarly impressive run, continuing their strong form into the new year with a win of their own. Die 05er have won 6 of their last 7 Bundesliga matches, including a 2-0 victory over VfL Bochum this weekend. Like Leverkusen, Mainz's success is also due to the resurgence of an injury-prone center-forward. Jonathan Burkardt has been in exceptional form, scoring both goals in the Bochum win to bring his season tally to 12. With Omar Marmoush's potential departure from Frankfurt dominating the headlines, rumors have linked Burkardt to a move, but Mainz have swiftly dismissed any such talk.

And rightly so—Burkardt's goals have helped Mainz climb into the top four on Saturday, making a serious push for European football for the first time since 2017. Mainz’s ability to take points from both struggling sides and those competing for European spots simply underlines their credibility as a serious contender for a place in the top six.

Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen Win

Eintracht Frankfurt v SC Freiburg

Eintracht Frankfurt have snapped their five-match winless streak across all competitions with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over St. Pauli. While the match lacked the attacking fireworks that have characterized some of their performances this season, it delivered three vital points and marked the club's fourth clean sheet of the campaign.

Once again, the hero of the evening was Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian international continued his red-hot form, scoring his 14th goal of the season to keep pace with Harry Kane in the thrilling race for the Bundesliga Golden Boot. If Marmoush maintains this form, he could pose a legitimate threat to dethrone the Englishman. However, questions remain about his future with the club. Amid interest from Manchester City, Eintracht Frankfurt are reportedly demanding a fee of around €80 million. A deal appears increasingly likely before the transfer window closes, potentially adding Marmoush to the list of high-profile center-forward sales Frankfurt have executed in the past decade.

While such lucrative transfers are a distant reality for SC Freiburg, the club continues to punch above its weight on the pitch. Freiburg climbed back into the top seven of the Bundesliga with an impressive 3-2 win over Holstein Kiel this weekend. The victory showcased the enduring brilliance of club legends Vincenzo Grifo and Christian Günter, both of whom found the back of the net.

The duo has been the backbone of Freiburg's left flank for nearly a decade, amassing a combined 706 appearances for the club. Grifo, with 289 matches, holds the distinction of being Freiburg’s most-capped foreign player, while Günter is on the brink of an even more historic accolade. The long-serving captain is just 25 games away from surpassing Andreas Zeyer to become Freiburg’s all-time appearance leader—a testament to his remarkable consistency and dedication to the club.

Prediction: Eintracht Frankfurt Win

VfL Wolfsburg v Borussia Mönchengladbach

Wolfsburg entered the winter break on a sour note, grappling with back-to-back defeats and a cloud of frustration surrounding the club. However, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side has started the new year on the right foot, securing a crucial 1-0 victory that has rejuvenated the spirits and momentum of this season.

The decisive moment came in the 29th minute, courtesy of Mohammed Amoura. The fact that Amoura found the net should not come as a surprise, with the Algerian international already scoring 6 times in his debut Bundesliga campaign. However, the manner in which he opened proceedings was remarkable, with the diminutive 1,70m forward rising unmarked to head home a corner.

With the win, Wolfsburg climbed the Bundesliga table, leapfrogging their next opponents, Borussia Mönchengladbach. Die Fohlen will be reeling after a hard-fought 1-0 loss to FC Bayern, where their efforts were undone by a contentious penalty decision. While they managed to stifle Bayern for much of the game, Gladbach struggled to create meaningful chances on the other end.

The best opportunity of the match for Gladbach came in the 49th minute, with the score still level. Rocco Reitz delivered a pinpoint cross to Tim Kleindienst, who has been in outstanding form this season with nine goals. Known for his aerial prowess, the German international seemed poised to capitalize, but the golden opportunity went begging, leaving Gladbach unable to convert their efforts into points.

Prediction: VfL Wolfsburg Win

VfL Bochum v St. Pauli

After a dismal start to the season, collecting just two points from their opening 13 matches, VfL Bochum have clawed their way back into survival contention thanks to a strong December. A 2-0 victory over FC Heidenheim to close out the year was followed by a controversial but crucial victory against Union Berlin that was decided in the courts. A 1-1 draw was later awarded wholly in Bochum’s favor, citing misconduct by Berlin fans who threw a bottle at Bochum goalkeeper Patrick Drewes - forcing him off the pitch.

Because of these points, Bochum entered the weekend with a chance to escape the relegation zone entirely, but Dieter Hecking’s side fell short, suffering a comprehensive defeat to Mainz 05. However, a more favorable opportunity awaits them this weekend at home against St. Pauli.

For St. Pauli, attacking struggles continue to hinder their campaign. Saturday marked the ninth time this season they failed to find the back of the net, with their defensive resilience the bright spot keeping some level of optimism alive at the moment. They limited a red-hot Eintracht Frankfurt attack to just one goal, but without significant improvement up front, Alexander Blessin’s side risks losing their top-flight status almost as quickly as they regained it.

Hopes for an attacking revival may rest on new arrival Noah Weißhaupt, who made his debut for St. Pauli over the weekend. The 23-year-old winger, on loan from SC Freiburg until the end of the season, brings energy, creativity, and flair to the flanks. While his career record of one goal in 56 Bundesliga appearances might not inspire immediate confidence, Weißhaupt’s potential to thrive with regular playing time could make him a pivotal figure in St. Pauli’s battle for survival. Should he find his footing, he could be a major spark to reignite their attack and keep them in the Bundesliga.

Prediction: St. Pauli Win

FC Bayern v TSG Hoffenheim

FC Bayern began the new year with a win, but their 1-0 victory left much to be desired in terms of performance. The decisive moment came from a contentious penalty decision, as Bayern otherwise struggled to create clear opportunities or unlock a well-structured Gladbach defense.

The absence of Jamal Musiala due to illness was glaringly evident. The young star has increasingly become Bayern's creative engine, capable of crafting chances and driving towards goal with unmatched dynamism. Without him, the attacking trio of Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller, and Michael Olise lacked the sharpness and directness Bayern needed. It wasn’t until the introduction of Kingsley Coman on the hour mark that Bayern showed more attacking intent, as his pace and verticality injected life into an otherwise tepid display.

At this stage of the season, however, securing points is paramount—a reality TSG Hoffenheim are yet to come to terms with. Their turbulent campaign continued, as Christian Ilzer’s side fell to yet another defeat, this time a 1-0 loss to Wolfsburg. Despite a managerial change, the hoped-for turnaround remains elusive, with Ilzner now winless in his last 8 matches in all competitions.

Hoffenheim’s performance was particularly frustrating in the first half, prompting Ilzer to make three substitutions at halftime in an effort to salvage the game. However, the changes failed to yield the desired impact, and Hoffenheim’s struggles persisted. Harmless in attack and disjointed in defense, they now sit just one point above the relegation zone after Matchday 16—a precarious position for a club desperate to steady the ship and avoid a catastrophic relegation.

Prediction: FC Bayern Win

Werder Bremen v FC Heidenheim

Werder Bremen’s impressive Bundesliga run came to an abrupt end last weekend with a 4-2 defeat to RB Leipzig, snapping their four-match unbeaten streak. Ole Werner’s side displayed attacking flair with goals from Mitchell Weiser and Oliver Burke, but their defensive performance was fraught with errors.

A routine throw-in gifted Xavi Simons the opportunity to open the scoring, and just 13 minutes later, a lapse in communication in Bremen’s backline allowed Simons to restore Leipzig's lead unchallenged. The entire defensive unit struggled, but captain Marco Friedl had a particularly poor outing, prompting his substitution at halftime.

Adding to the woes, Friedl received his fifth yellow card of the season just 11 minutes into the match, ensuring he will be unavailable for Bremen’s midweek clash. He’ll watch from the stands at the Weser-Stadion as his teammates attempt to bounce back against FC Heidenheim.

FC Heidenheim approach this fixture with renewed confidence after securing a crucial win—their first since Matchday 5. This long-awaited victory, their first in all competitions since November 7th, has lifted a significant burden from the club’s shoulders following a difficult stretch where their season appeared to be unraveling before the winter break.

A brief respite from the relentless fixture schedule, and strategic reinforcements in the January transfer window, have rejuvenated Frank Schmidt’s side. For the first time in months, Heidenheim looked revitalized, delivering a performance that suggested they are far from conceding their fight for survival.

New signing Frans Krätzig opened the scoring, while another winter arrival, Budu Zivzivadze, made an immediate impact by assisting the second in their 2-0 triumph. While Union Berlin going down to 10 men after 37 minutes certainly worked in Heidenheim’s favor, the hosts were already the better side, displaying a level of energy that has been sorely missing in recent months.

Prediction: Draw

Union Berlin v FC Augsburg

Steffen Baumgart’s debut as Union Berlin manager got off to a rocky start with a 2-0 defeat to FC Heidenheim—an outcome that could prove pivotal in both club's fight for Bundesliga survival.

In an effort to shake things up, Baumgart abandoned the club’s signature back-three formation, a system that has defined Union since their promotion in 2020. However, the tactical shift to a 4-4-2 failed to yield the desired results, as Union slumped to their 10th consecutive match without a win in all competitions.

Forward Woo-yeong Jeong struggled to make an impact and was substituted at halftime, but the biggest setback of the afternoon came from Tom Rothe. The German youth international has been one of Union’s bright spots this season, stepping up admirably following Robin Gosens’ departure. In his 12 Bundesliga starts, the 20-year-old wingback has contributed two goals and two assists, showcasing his promise and versatility.

Saturday, however, was a day to forget for Rothe. His involvement ended abruptly in the 37th minute when he received a straight red card for a reckless last-man foul on Sirlord Conteh. The dismissal not only left Union a man down but it will also sideline Rothe for at least two matches. Under Baumgart—a manager known for his reluctance to rely on younger players—this costly mistake could have longer-term consequences for the youngsters' place in the team.

The crucial relegation encounters continue for Union Berlin, with a pivotal clash against FC Augsburg looming this Wednesday. Augsburg, nicknamed Die Fuggerstädter, find themselves in dire form, having secured just one point from their last four Bundesliga matches.

A humiliating 5-1 defeat to Holstein Kiel before the winter break should have served as a wake-up call, and while Augsburg showed signs of improvement in Sunday’s encounter against VfB Stuttgart, they still came away empty-handed as the visitors claimed all three points.

For Augsburg to avoid slipping into the relegation zone by the end of this matchday, earning a result in Berlin is essential. History, however, is on their side. Augsburg have dominated this fixture, losing just one of the 14 meetings between the two sides. Moreover, they’ve won five of the last eight encounters, making them a tricky opponent for Union Berlin as both teams fight to steer clear of the drop.

Prediction: FC Augsburg Win

VfB Stuttgart v RB Leipzig

VfB Stuttgart entered the winter break on a sour note, suffering a 1-0 loss to FC St. Pauli with a depleted squad stretched thin by a relentless injury crisis. Unfortunately, many of those injury issues have carried into the new year, but the return of Denis Undav for Sunday’s fixture against FC Augsburg offered a significant boost.

Since signing a long-term deal in the summer, the German international has cemented himself as a pivotal leader for Stuttgart. Sidelined since early November with a severe muscle tear, Undav’s absence had been keenly felt both on the pitch and in the locker room. Though not fit enough for a full 90 minutes, he did feature last matchday and instantly made his mark just moments after coming on as a substitute in the 61st minute.

Four minutes into his return, Undav latched onto a through ball from Angelo Stiller and calmly slotted past Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen to break the deadlock. His record now stands at an impressive 27 goals and 11 assists in 50 appearances for Stuttgart, reaffirming his status as the team’s talisman. With Undav back in action, Die Schwaben look reinvigorated and ready to reignite their push for European qualification.

As for RB Leipzig, they have well and truly shaken off the memory of their humbling 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, following it up with a commanding 4-2 win over Werder Bremen on the weekend. Benjamin Šeško delivered the goal of the afternoon, unleashing a thunderous 25-meter strike that could’ve torn through the net. However, the star of the show was undoubtedly Xavi Simons.

The Dutch international, returning to the starting lineup after missing 69 days and 13 matches with an ankle injury, wasted no time in reminding everyone of his quality. Simons scored twice in the first 35 minutes, showcasing unbelievable creativity and relentless energy from his favored central role behind Leipzig’s front two. His performance left Bremen scrambling for answers, as Simons orchestrated Leipzig’s attack.

While Simons’ absence had been keenly felt, it’s worth noting that his form earlier in the season had not been great. Before his injury, he managed just two goals and one assist in his first seven Bundesliga appearances and failed to register a single goal contribution in three Champions League fixtures against Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Liverpool.

Now back to fitness and firing on all cylinders, Simons could be the key to unlocking Leipzig’s potential and ensuring they maintain a high standard across all competitions in 2025.

Prediction: RB Leipzig Win