Matchday Six match-ups

Mainz vs. Hoffenheim (Friday)

It's a head-to-head between two of the four undefeated sides left in the league. Few would have predicted these two to be in that group, but the fact they are shows the direction they're headed. After a slow start, Kasper Hjulmand's side look ready to hold off that despised second-season syndrome, mainly thanks to Japanese striker Shinji Okazaki - who leads the league's scoring charts with five goals. Okazaki's lightning start even prompted this quote from Hoffenheim boss Markus Gisdol: "You could put a crate of beer in the box, he'd hit them and the ball would go in." Hoffenheim finally look like a side serious about earning a European spot, and although their 3-3 draw with Freiburg during the week was a reminder of just how entertaining they can be, the signs of evolution are present under Markus Gisdol. This should be a good watch, even if it lacks goals.

Schalke vs. Dortmund

The most anticipated game of the weekend. Mats Hummels' 17-minute cameo against Stuttgart suggests he'll start for Dortmund in the Ruhr derby. Hummels' return is needed. Dortmund have conceded nine in five, and have already lost twice. Julian Draxler is suspended, but Kevin-Prince Boateng returns, as might Sidney Sam for Schalke. Both sides' points haul so far this season - Dortmund seven points from five games, Schalke five from five - has been mediocre. This one is all about gaining momentum. Despite BVB stand-in captain Roman Weidenfeller's best attempts to calm the visiting fans, clouds of yellow smoke caused last year's fixture to be interrupted. Expect more fireworks, on and off the pitch.

Freiburg vs. Leverkusen

This looks like a goal heavy game as a side who can't stop conceding last-minute equalizers comes up against a side who just want to outscore their opponents. With Freiburg yet to record a win, now is the time for Christian Streich to move his team away from the relegation zone. Doing so without Admir Mehmedi will be tricky, but Streich's young charges will be eager to exploit Leverkusen's defensive gaps. Roger Schmidt wouldn't mind another clean-sheet victory after Wednesday's 1-0 win against Augsburg, but in truth it's more likely to end 4-3.

Stuttgart vs. Hannover

Fredi Bobic's departure doesn't mean the shackles are off for Stuttgart, but a spirited draw against Dortmund will have helped. There is still pressure on Armin Veh, his experience aside. If the club don't seize on the point picked up in Dortmund, then a long slump beckons. Tayfun Korkut's Hannover overcame their slump (to Paderborn) by ending Cologne's clean-sheet run during the week and now sit in third. The team in progression are well-placed to overcome the club in turmoil.

Cologne vs. Bayern

Cologne's number one Timo Horn was the latest victim of that Hannover progression - the goalkeeper had to pick the ball out of his net for the first time this season in that midweek defeat. Hosting Bayern Munich is a tough task for Peter Stöger's side to bounce back, but the prestige of welcoming the Bundesliga giants is exactly what Cologne have missed in recent years. If they can hold Bayern off in the opening 20 minutes then a goalless draw would be a possible outcome that would be wildly celebrated.

Paderborn vs. Gladbach

The party came to an end last weekend in Munich. No, not Oktoberfest but Paderborn's sensational rise to the top of the table. Their 4-0 defeat to Bayern saw them tumble to 7th but after the start they've made, such a fall will leave more of a scratch than a bruise. A home game against Gladbach however may cause a little more pain as Andre Breitenreiter's men face the relentless intensity of Bundesliga football. They've got enough tactical ability and quality to fight relegation, but the opposition will prove too much, again.

Wolfsburg vs. Werder Bremen (Saturday late game)

Neither side have started well this season. Wolfsburg's recent battering of Leverkusen will have helped, but five points from five games and a European trouncing by Everton has raised some question marks about Dieter Hecking. Still, a home game against a hapless Werder Bremen side, who have yet to win this season, is just what the doctor ordered. Sadly, the sight of former favorite Aaron Hunt in a different shade of green won't help Robin Dutt recover any quicker from his cold.

FC Augsburg vs. Hertha Berlin (Sunday)

Salomon Kalou might have scored the winner for Hertha in a turning point game for the side from the capital, but a trip to Augsburg is capable of bringing them back to the root of their problem: inconsistency. Even without beloved striker Sascha Mölders - who is out for "weeks" with an ankle injury - Augsburg are excellent on the counterattack and will be rubbing their hands at Hertha's defensive weakness.

Hamburg vs. Frankfurt (Sunday late game)

Joe Zinnbauer has been hailed as the savior and while improvements have been clear to see, the points tally still reads just two. The club have set a new, unwanted, record of going five consecutive league games without scoring. Lewis Holtby suggested they should spend a whole training session just shooting at an empty goal in order to remember what it felt like. They'll score against Frankfurt, Felix Wiedwald will be nervous as he stands in for Kevin Trapp, but a win really would be something.