The Bundesliga season carries on this weekend, with Der Klassiker headlining the upcoming round in the German top-flight. As per usual, the action will get underway on Friday, with Wolfsburg vs Mainz kicking things off. However, all eyes will be on the weekend fixtures.
Five simultaneous kick-offs will take place on Saturday, including Hoffenheim's trip to Frankfurt, but all eyes with be on Dortmund's trip to Bayern Munich as Germany's top two teams battle it out for the three points. Elsewhere, an in-form RB Leipzig side are preparing for a rematch with Union Berlin in what should be an interesting affair. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming round in the Bundesliga.
League standings ahead of Matchday 31 in the Bundesliga
Here's how the table looks ahead of the next round of fixtures.
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bayer Leverkusen | 30 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 75 | 20 | +55 | 80 | DWWWW | |
| 2 | Bayern München | 30 | 21 | 3 | 6 | 87 | 37 | +50 | 66 | WWLLW | |
| 3 | Stuttgart | 30 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 68 | 36 | +32 | 63 | LWWDW | |
| 4 | RB Leipzig | 30 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 69 | 34 | +35 | 59 | WWWDW | |
| 5 | Borussia Dortmund | 30 | 16 | 9 | 5 | 58 | 35 | +23 | 57 | DWLWW | |
| 6 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 30 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 46 | 40 | +6 | 45 | WLDDL | |
| 7 | Freiburg | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 42 | 53 | -11 | 40 | DWLWL | |
| 8 | Augsburg | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 48 | 49 | -1 | 39 | LWLDW | |
| 9 | Hoffenheim | 30 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 53 | 60 | -7 | 39 | WLWLL | |
| 10 | Heidenheim | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 43 | 52 | -9 | 34 | LDWDD | |
| 11 | Werder Bremen | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 38 | 50 | -12 | 34 | WLDLL | |
| 12 | Borussia M'gladbach | 30 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 53 | 60 | -7 | 31 | LLWLD | |
| 13 | Wolfsburg | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 35 | 50 | -15 | 31 | WLLWL | |
| 14 | Union Berlin | 30 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 26 | 50 | -24 | 29 | LLLDW | |
| 15 | Mainz 05 | 30 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 31 | 48 | -17 | 27 | DWWDW | |
| 16 | Bochum | 30 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 34 | 60 | -26 | 27 | LDLDL | |
| 17 | Köln | 30 | 4 | 10 | 16 | 23 | 53 | -30 | 22 | LLWDL | |
| 18 | Darmstadt 98 | 30 | 3 | 8 | 19 | 30 | 72 | -42 | 17 | WLLDL |
Top games to watch on Matchday 31 in the Bundesliga
RB Leipzig vs Union Berlin: The tough games come thick and fast for RB Leipzig. After beating Leverkusen, Hoffenheim, and Dortmund consecutively in the league to climb up to third, Nkunku and Co. are now preparing to face Union Berlin this weekend. Coincidentally, this will be their second run-in in four days, having faced off in the DFB Pokal semifinal on Wednesday. Die Roten Bullen won that game in breathtaking manner, with Emil Frosberg netting a 92nd-minute winner to seal a 2-1 victory. Die Eisernen are currently in sixth and are thus in contention for European football, hence the importance of Saturday's game. Will the visitors get revenge over RB Leipzig? Tune in to find out.
Frankfurt vs Hoffenheim: Frankfurt haven't been doing well in the Bundesliga, but after their brilliant UEFA Europa League victory over Barcelona, expect the hosts to be high on confidence. Currently, the home side are on a four-game winless streak and will need to turn the corner at home to Hoffenheim. It should be noted that the visitors are in even worse form, having failed to pick up a single triumph from their last five outings. This should make for an interesting tie.
Bayern Munich vs Dortmund: Der Klassiker is finally here! Bayern Munich and Dortmund are gearing up to face off this weekend, with this tie set to be a battle for pride. However, one fortunate result could spark the title race back to life. Die Roten currently sit nine points ahead of their second-placed rival, meaning victory at the Allianz Arena would put them 12 points ahead, all but ending the race. As a result, Saturday's game is crucial. The last time these two German giants met, Lewandowski and Co. emerged triumphant 3-2. Haaland and his crew will be out for blood this time around. Don't miss this showdown.
Who's out for Matchday 31 in the Bundesliga?
RB Leipzig
Out: Haidara (knee)
Doubtful: Klostermann (not included)
Union Berlin
Out: Baumgarti (suspended)
Doubtful: Luthe (muscular)`
Eintracht Frankfurt
Out: Lenz (broken toe), Ramaj (knee)
Doubtful: Sow (knee), Trapp (wrist)
Hoffenheim
Out: Baumgartner (suspended), Bicakcic (knee), Hübner (back), John (shoulder), Kaderabek (suspended), Richards (thigh)
Doubtful: Grillitsch (muscular)
Freiburg
Out: Gulde (ill), Keitel (broken toe), Schade (abdominals)
Doubtful: Kübler (ill)
Bayer Leverkusen
Out: Adli (Achilles), Andrich (suspended), Bellarabi (thigh), Fosu-Mensah (thigh), Frimpong (ankle), Hincapie (suspended), Wirtz (knee)
Doubtful: None
Bayern Munich
Out: Richards (cold), Sarr (knee), Tolisso (hamstring)
Doubtful: Coman (ankle)
Dortmund
Out: Dahoud (shoulder), Hummels (thigh), Kobel (ankle), Meunier (hamstring), Morey (knee), Reyna (hamstring), Schmelzer (knee), Tigges (ankle), Witsel (ill)
Doubtful: Hazard (back), Malen (muscular)
Hertha Berlin
Out: Jarstein (knee), Jovetic (muscular), Richter (suspended), Schwolow (thigh)
