Hoffenheim vs. Freiburg (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Hoffenheim take on Freiburg in the opening round of Bundesliga fixtures in 2021, with the hosts able to leapfrog their opponents in the table with a victory.
It will not be easy against Freiburg, though, who ended 2020 in some style with three consecutive victories.
We say: Hoffenheim 1-1 Freiburg
With both teams in solid form prior to the winter break, we can envisage an entertaining draw between two sides who will be hoping to finish in the lower reaches of the top half this season.
Kramaric is the sort of player who can take a game away from any opponent, though, so if he truly is back to his best then Hoeness's side could prevail on the day.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or draw.
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Werder Bremen vs. Union Berlin (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Werder Bremen will endeavour to secure their third successive victory in all competitions when they welcome Union Berlin to the Wohninvest-Weserstadion for Saturday's Bundesliga clash.
The hosts advanced to the third round of the DFB-Pokal with a 3-0 win over Hannover 96 just before Christmas, whereas Union Berlin exited the competition with a 3-2 defeat to Paderborn.
We say: Werder Bremen 1-2 Union Berlin
Having already overcome Dortmund and held Bayern Munich to a draw this season, Union Berlin will certainly feel capable of taking all three points in this one. Werder Bremen will be buoyed by two positive results and should be able to welcome a few attackers back from injury, so the hosts should have no problem getting on the scoresheet, but we are still expecting a narrow away win.
Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.
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Arminia Bielefeld vs. Borussia M'bach (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Borussia Monchengladbach will be aiming to end a four-game winless run in the Bundesliga when they travel to Arminia Bielefeld in the first weekend of the New Year.
The hosts have had a two-week break since their 1-0 win at Schalke 04 before Christmas, whereas Monchengladbach's most recent outing saw them cruise past SV Elversberg in the DFB-Pokal.
We say: Arminia Bielefeld 0-2 Borussia Monchengladbach
Even without the highly-rated Thuram, Monchengladbach have an eye for goal in away matches and ought to be confident of returning to winning ways against a struggling Arminia outfit. The hosts will put up a fight but we cannot see their efforts counting for something against a Monchengladbach side with a point to prove, so the visitors should begin 2021 with a routine win this weekend.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
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Frankfurt vs. B. Leverkusen (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Eintracht Frankfurt host Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with the visitors looking to return to the top of the table with a victory.
Frankfurt, meanwhile, signed off 2020 with a 2-0 win at Augsburg to move back into the top half.
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen
With Leverkusen missing several defensive players, we can envisage an entertaining score draw at Frankfurt, especially given Hutter's side's tendency to tie games this season.
Bosz's side are at least in rude health in offensive areas, so creating chances should not be a problem unless the 57-year-old looks to radically tighten up defensively given his lack of options there.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a draw or an away win.
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FC Koln vs. Augsburg (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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FC Koln and Augsburg will both be aiming to kick off 2021 with a win when the two Bundesliga sides lock horns at the RheinEnergieStadion on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts managed to advance in the DFB-Pokal before Christmas with a 1-0 win over VfL Osnabruck, whereas Augsburg were knocked out of the competition at the hands of RB Leipzig.
We say: FC Koln 1-1 Augsburg
Both of these teams will be hoping for a fresh start in 2021 after struggling for results in the early stages of the campaign. Koln will view this game as a perfect opportunity to finally claim a league win on home soil, but Augsburg know that the Billy Goats are vulnerable on their own turf. These two sides have played out three 1-1 draws in succession, and we expect that to become four at the RheinEnergieStadion this weekend.
Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.
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Hertha Berlin vs. Schalke (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Hertha Berlin take on Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with both sides hoping the New Year will bring some better results and an upward trajectory in the table accordingly.
Indeed, the visitors are particularly in crisis mode, languishing seven points adrift of safety after an astonishing winless run of 29 matches stretching back to last season.
We say: Hertha Berlin 2-0 Schalke 04
We can envisage Hertha getting back to winning ways against comfortably the Bundesliga's worst side so far this campaign.
Much will hinge on the availability of Mark Uth for the visitors, who severely lack creativity without the Germany international.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
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Stuttgart vs. RB Leipzig (Saturday, 7.30pm)
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Stuttgart take on RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with both sides hoping 2021 will be as successful as the previous year proved to be.
Indeed, Stuttgart currently sit seventh in the table upon their return to Germany's top flight, with Leipzig still firmly in the hunt for their first ever Bundesliga title.
We say: Stuttgart 1-2 RB Leipzig
With Stuttgart failing to win at home so far this season, we can envisage a narrow victory for Leipzig.
Nagelsmann's side should be refreshed after the winter break, with his side pressing on the front foot from minute one to 90.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
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Dortmund vs. Wolfsburg (Sunday, 2.30pm)
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Borussia Dortmund take on Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with the hosts looking to leapfrog their forthcoming opponents in the table with a victory.
Indeed, the visitors currently occupy the fourth Champions League qualification spot after losing just one of their opening 13 games.
We say: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Wolfsburg
With Wolfsburg's team selection up in the air, largely due to a coronavirus outbreak in the squad, we can envisage Dortmund starting the New Year with a win as they look to draw a line under the Favre era.
Haaland returning to the side would increase their chances of winning, of course, but we think they may look to ease their top goalscorer back into things, with Moukoko possessing the ability to punish a potentially-depleted Wolves' back line.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
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Bayern vs. Mainz 05 (Sunday, 5.00pm)
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Bayern Munich open 2021 with a home tie against Mainz 05 on Sunday, as the reigning champions league look to extend their league at the top of the table.
The visitors, meanwhile, are looking to avoid becoming stranded in the automatic relegation places.
We say: Bayern Munich 4-0 Mainz 05
We can envisage Bayern kicking off the New Year with something of a rout as they look to lay a marker at the top of the table.
Managerless Mainz look to be in disarray at the moment and while Quaison and Mateta may cause problems for Bayern on the break, we do not think they will be able to handle Bayern's offensive weapons.
Our tipster partners are predicting over 3.5 goals.
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Barney Corkhill
