Union Berlin vs. Hertha Berlin (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Union Berlin take on Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Both sides have been thrown straight into the deep end with a huge derby clash on the opening weekend of the 2022-23 season.
We say: Union Berlin 2-1 Hertha Berlin
Hertha could hardly have asked for a tougher test in Schwarz's first Bundesliga game in charge, and we expect the more settled hosts to secure a derby victory.
The visitors looked wide open against a team one division below them in their cup defeat last weekend, with Union Berlin perfectly poised to hurt them in transition.
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Borussia M'bach vs. Hoffenheim (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Borussia Monchengladbach host Hoffenheim on Saturday in the opening weekend of the 2022-23 Bundesliga season.
These two sides finished one point apart in mid-table last season, so will both be hoping for improved showings this campaign.
We say: Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 Hoffenheim
After a morale-boosting heavy victory in Farke's first competitive game in charge, we can envisage Gladbach beginning Bundesliga life under their new manager with another victory.
The hosts appear to have more firepower than their forthcoming opponents, who were less than impressive when requiring extra-time to beat a team three divisions below them in the DFB-Pokal on Sunday.
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Wolfsburg vs. Werder Bremen (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Wolfsburg take on Werder Bremen on Saturday in the opening weekend of the 2022-23 Bundesliga campaign.
The hosts dipped to a bottom half finish last season, while Werder are returning to Germany's top flight after bouncing back at the first attempt.
We say: Wolfsburg 1-1 Werder Bremen
We do not expect to see a classic between these sides on Saturday, with Wolfsburg settling into life under a new manager and Werder re-establishing themselves at this level.
As such, a share of the spoils feels likely, with both managers potentially content to stay unbeaten ahead of a long campaign.
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VfL Bochum vs. Mainz 05 (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Kicking off their new Bundesliga campaign on home turf, VfL Bochum welcome Mainz 05 to the Ruhrstadion on Saturday afternoon.
Having shared the spoils with one win apiece last term, the teams were ultimately separated by four points in May - the visitors finishing five places above their hosts despite a woeful away record.
We say: VfL Bochum 1-1 Mainz 05
After suffering two defeats in Bochum last season, Mainz should be steeled for the challenge ahead, and having conceded only once throughout pre-season and last week's cup win, they can take a point home from their opening fixture.
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Augsburg vs. Freiburg (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Following a remarkable year of over-achievement, Freiburg return to Bundesliga action on Saturday, as they visit Augsburg on the opening weekend of the 2022-23 season.
Finishing eight places above their hosts last term, the visitors beat the Bavarians both home and away, so will seek to extend their dominance in this fixture.
We say: Augsburg 1-2 Freiburg
Not known for being particularly prolific, Augsburg may need to score more than once if they are to get anything from a tough opening match against upwardly mobile opponents. Given Freiburg's recent supremacy in this fixture, too, the visitors are set to start off with a win.
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Dortmund vs. B. Leverkusen (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Borussia Dortmund host Bayer Leverkusen in a fascinating opening weekend battle of the 2022-23 Bundesliga season.
Both sides secured Champions League football last season, but will hope to challenge Bayern Munich for the title this time around.
We say: Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Bayer Leverkusen
We expect to see a highly entertaining, high-scoring affair between two attacking teams on Saturday.
Both meetings saw seven goals scored at either end last season, but we expect the hosts to just edge it having looked more ready for the new season in the DFB-Pokal last weekend.
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Ben Knapton
