Special anniversary

Irrespective of his team's result, this Saturday will be a memorable one for Thomas Schaaf. The reason? He is set to take his place in the coach's dugout for the 500th time in the Bundesliga, when Frankfurt play Schalke.

Only four other coaches have passed that mark before: Otto Rehhagel, Jupp Heynckes, Erich Ribbeck and Udo Lattek, who passed away last week.

The 53-year-old Schaaf, who made his name as a player and long-term coach at north German club Werder Bremen, is almost a Bundesliga institution already, with his low-key approach and gravelly voice.

"It makes you realize everything that you have experienced, and achieved," he told journalists in the build up to his landmark match. "This week, I haven't even had time to think about it."

The answer is typical for the inimitable Schaaf, and it's understandable too. His new team Eintracht Frankfurt - who he has only coached since the start of the season - are yet to win a game after the winter break and will have their work cut out against an in-form Schalke.

Carnival time

Elsewhere on Matchday 21 there will be celebrations of a different kind in Mönchengladbach when Cologne take on the Foals, in a mid-Carnival showdown. The local derby match is always one of the highlights of the Bundesliga season and will doubtless be enjoyed this time by thousands of spectators in fancy dress.

But for Cologne, there will be no joking around until the full 90 minutes have been played.

"It's a very big game - it's the derby for our fans and it is important for us on the table," said Anthony Ujah, in interview with DW earlier in the week.

"We've been strong away from home this season, and we want to keep that going."

In the other Saturday games, Bayern welcomes their favorite guest Hamburg. Anything but a clear win would be a surprise for the league leaders, who were last beaten in Munich by HSV back in 2007. Second-placed Wolfsburg travel to Leverkusen while Hoffenheim host south-west German neighbors Stuttgart.

Meanwhile, Thomas Schaaf's old club Werder Bremen will face giant-killers Augsburg on Saturday. The tiny Bavarian side are all smiles at the moment as they continue to enjoy fourth place in the table. A win again this weekend would keep them - amazingly - in striking distance of a Champions League spot.

Sunday stragglers

On Sunday, three of the bottom five teams will be in action when Hertha Berlin hosts Freiburg and Paderborn take on Hannover.

For Berlin, who are settling down to life under their new coach Pal Dardai, the game is a crucial chance for them to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the relegation candidates.

Africa Cup of Nations winner, Salomon Kalou, is now back with the team after he was delayed returning to the German capital. Hertha's commercial manager Michael Preetz expressed frustration at the Ivorian's late return, but do not be surprised if Kalou makes a starting appearance for the club at the Olympic Stadium. With only two goals in their last four games, Hertha dearly needs his goal-scoring ability.

In the Bundesliga Friday night game, under-achieving Borussia Dortmund have another chance to continue their form turnaround, when they play Mainz at home.