Bayern vs. VfL Bochum (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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A completely one-sided match is to be expected in the Bundesliga this weekend, when reigning champions Bayern Munich welcome newly promoted VfL Bochum to the Allianz Arena on Saturday.
The hosts have kicked into gear under new manager Julian Nagelsmann in recent weeks, whilst Thomas Reis's Bochum are struggling on their return to the top flight as expected.
We say: Bayern Munich 5-0 VfL Bochum
With respect to Bochum, the main question for this encounter is by how many will Bayern win, rather than attempting to predict the winners. The devastating form that the reigning champions have been in will have the visitors worried that they could be on the wrong end of a hammering, which is what we are saying here with a 5-0 prediction.
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Mainz 05 vs. Freiburg (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Two of the surprise packages of the new Bundesliga season go head to head at the Opel Arena on Saturday, as Mainz 05 welcome Freiburg.
The sides find themselves occupying fourth and fifth spots in Germany's top flight after the opening four rounds of matches, despite only being expected to push for mid-table at best before a ball was kicked at the beginning of the campaign.
We say: Mainz 05 1-0 Freiburg
Both of these sides have enjoyed tight matches so far this campaign, with neither opening the floodgates in terms of goals scored or conceded. Coupled with the strong starts to the season for both, a hard-fought affair is to be expected on Saturday. We say home advantage will prove important for Mainz to inflict a first defeat of the campaign on visitors Freiburg in a narrow victory.
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Augsburg vs. Borussia M'bach (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Two early-season strugglers meet in the Bundesliga on Saturday, when Augsburg host Borussia Monchengladbach at the WWK Arena.
The hosts are the lowest scorers in the league heading into this match, whilst the European-hopeful visitors have managed just a single win from the opening four rounds of the new season.
We say: Augsburg 1-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
The visitors would usually be expected to win a tie such as this one, particularly with the poor start to the season for their hosts. However, Gladbach's poor recent record away to Augsburg, coupled by their stuttering start to the season themselves means we are predicting a draw at the WWK Arena.
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Arminia Bielefeld vs. Hoffenheim (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Arminia Bielefeld and Hoffenheim will clash in the fifth round of Bundesliga fixtures on Saturday, as both sides look to bounce back from defeats last time out.
The hosts currently occupy 13th spot in the Bundesliga table with three points to their name, while their hosts sit just one point better off after four outings.
We say: Arminia Bielefeld 1-2 Hoffenheim
Despite failing to impress last time out, we still see Hoffenheim having the quality to get over the line against a side that they have not lost to in the last four outings.
Kramaric has proven himself as a creative hub this season, and if Hoeness's men can find a way to get him on the ball in scoring areas, they should benefit from his firepower.
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FC Koln vs. RB Leipzig (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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FC Koln prepare to host RB Leipzig at the RheinEnergieStadion in Bundesliga action on Saturday, on a rare occasion that they sit above their opponents in the table.
A bright start under their new manager sees the hosts sit in seventh place, whilst the expected title-challengers Leipzig are down in 12th, under new leadership themselves.
We say: FC Koln 1-1 RB Leipzig
A usual prediction for this encounter would be a comfortable Leipzig win. However, with Koln's strong start to the season, coupled with Leipzig's struggling start, we believe the hosts should manage to get something out of the game and capitalise on their home advantage. We say an entertaining draw in this one.
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Barney Corkhill
