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Bundesliga: Matchday 7 preview

Jonathan HardingOctober 3, 2014

The relentless fixture list of football continues. After the midweek, European action, the Bundesliga returns for it's seventh round. DW's Jonathan Harding looks ahead to the weekend's fixtures.

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Busch scores for Bremen
Image: Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images

Hertha vs. Stuttgart (Friday)

Both of these sides are bobbing above the relegation places, which makes this a classic turning point game for the potential winner. Langkamp, Baumjohann and Cigerci are all still out with long-term injuries, but Nico Schulz has served his suspension and can return. Julian Schieber expected to start in attack with Salomon Kalou against his former club. Daniel Didavi looks set to miss out for Stuttgart, so Alexandru Maxim may well get his chance and Timo Werner still has the edge over an out-of-sorts Vedad Ibisevic in attack.

Now that Stuttgart have won a game things aren't quite as one sided, but with no Didavi and Hertha at home, perhaps that's not the case after all.

Bayern vs. Hannover

Bayern are marching on, even if it isn't that spectacular. Hannover have stabilized and pose more of a threat in attack, but that won't be sustained for long enough in the Allianz Arena on Saturday. Jerome Boateng is expected to return to the starting line-up after missing the midweek game, while Sebastian Rode, Xherdan Shaqiri and Gianluca Gaudino could all see some action. Hannover have no Leon Andreasen this weekend, so a formation change is expected. How long is it before we see Jimmy Briand get a game for 96?

Dortmund vs. Hamburg

With no Hakan Calhanoglu to score outrageous free kicks, HSV are unlikely to upset Dortmund in such dramatic fashion. In fact, they're unlikely to upset Dortmund at all considering Jürgen Klopp's men have just come bounced back from the Ruhr derby defeat with a slick midweek win. Shinji Kagawa's midweek magic might have earned him a rest - fitness depending - while Adrian Ramos' brace will surely see him start.

Fußball 1. Bundesliga 6. Spieltag 1. FC Köln - Bayern München 27.09.2014
Bayern remain top with Mario Götze topping the club's scoring chartsImage: Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images

Mats Hummels will also want a solid 90 minutes under his belt after an unsuccessful starting return vs. Schalke.

Jaroslav Drobny will continue in goal for HSV after the club revealed that first-choice keeper Rene Adler will be out for "weeks" with his left knee injury. While that might not help things, the return of Nicolai Müller will. He, after all, has scored the club's only goal this season.

Leverkusen vs. Paderborn

While Leverkusen don't normally care for defending, they are short of personnel this weekend. Emir Spahic is suspended after his baffling double-yellow against Freiburg, and with Kyriakos Papadopoulos still in recovery, the centre back spot is thin. Stefan Kießling may also be rested, giving Josip Drmic the chance of a start.

Bakalorz is ill and if not fit by the weekend, Rupp and Marc Vucinovic are possible replacements. Paderborn are unlikely to change too much, as they too are attack-orientated.

Hoffenheim vs. Schalke

Adam Szalai will really want to score this weekend. Having been given a very small window in which to prove himself at Schalke, the Hungarian has done well so far further down south and will most likely lead the line ahead of Modeste. Sebastian Rudy is in the national team squad again, and will continue at right back. Bicakcic is still out so Strobl will play in his place.

Which Schalke will turn up? That's the regular question ahead of each the Royal Blue's games. Max Meyer could start but has to shrug off a knock, and can Schalke really win without Huntelaar (who is also struggling with a niggle). If Keller rotates, the game could go either way (again).

Fußball UEFA Champions League FC Schalke 04 NK Maribor
Schalke tend to struggle against lower-table sidesImage: Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images

Bremen vs. Freiburg

There won't be many tuning into this one on the weekend. Bremen have been abject so far this season, and Freiburg, with Mehmedi and Darida possible to return, should pick up some points on the road. Former Kaiserslautern man Torrejon will replace the suspended Krmas at the back for Freiburg, while Bremen could do with Obraniak to provide some inspiration.

Frankfurt vs. Cologne

While the floodgates haven't opened for Cologne, their defensive record is no longer as impenetrable as before. Frankfurt are on a high after Lucas Piazon's stunning free-kick winner last weekend and that will make it a difficult afternoon for Timo Horn. Zambrano is back for the home side, and will replace either Russ or Anderson, but is only one card away from disappearing again (suspension). Stöger may opt for more defensive stability to slow Frankfurt down, if so Kevin Vogt will be in. Cologne will want to test Felix Wiedwald as often as possible.

Wolfsburg vs. Augsburg (Sunday)

Augsburg just got about their business and it's only at the end that people notice. Having won three of the last four, Markus Weinzierl's side will most likely be unchanged for the trip to Wolfsburg.

Gladbach vs. Mainz (Sunday)

Kasper Hjulmand will be hoping he can call on Bundesliga topscorer Shinji Okazaki this weekend. If not, Sami Allagui will start in attack. Second vs. tied-fourth is the game's billing, and although still early in the season it is an indication of the direction these two sides area headed. After missing their trip to Switzerland on Thursday, Raffael, Kramer and Johnson will all be hoping to be fit enough to start.

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