Union Berlin vs. Hoffenheim (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Two of Bundesliga's recent overachievers meet in the German capital on Saturday, when Union Berlin host Hoffenheim.
However, after promising starts, both sides faced difficulties in the weeks leading up to the World Cup break.
We say: Union Berlin 2-1 Hoffenheim
With both sides in need of a win after a poor run before the break, Union's superb home form may be what gets them over the line here.
With a squad of players so capable in attack, Hoffenheim have the ability to get a result, but their inconsistency means it is impossible to know what to expect from them.
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Frankfurt vs. Schalke (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Eintracht Frankfurt will be determined to remain in the top four when they return to action in the Bundesliga against Schalke 04 on Saturday.
Schalke, meanwhile, are four points adrift at the bottom of the table having lost 10 of their 15 league games this season.
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 Schalke 04
We expect Frankfurt to return to action with a comfortable victory against Schalke, particularly if the visitors are indeed missing as many players through injury and illness as they appear likely to be.
The hosts will have a young striker bullish to prove his domestic and international form this season has been sustainable, with plenty of midfielders behind him capable of chipping in with goals and assists, too.
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Wolfsburg vs. Freiburg (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Wolfsburg will be aiming to win their fifth successive league match when they return to action against Freiburg on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, would guarantee remaining in second position in the Bundesliga table with an away victory.
We say: Wolfsburg 2-2 Freiburg
Both sides were in supreme form prior to the World Cup and, although there may be concerns from their respective managers and sets of fans regarding a loss of rhythm, they should be able to pick up where they left off fairly quickly.
As such, it would be a surprise if this game does not provide several moments of brilliance for the neutrals, with both teams averaging more than one goal for and against throughout the season so far.
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VfL Bochum vs. Hertha Berlin (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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On the return of the Bundesliga, VfL Bochum host fellow strugglers Hertha Berlin at the Ruhrstadion on Saturday.
The sides are separated by just a point, as both are staring down the barrel of a tough relegation battle.
We say: VfL Bochum 2-1 Hertha Berlin
Bochum came into some great form as the season halted in November, and on home turf they have proven tough to beat.
Hertha have been perennial underachievers in recent years and they have only won once away from home in the league this season, so this may be a struggle.
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Stuttgart vs. Mainz (Saturday, 2.30pm)
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Stuttgart will be aiming to move outside of the relegation places when they return to action against Mainz 05 on Saturday.
Mainz, meanwhile, could move into the top half of the Bundesliga table with a victory.
We say: Stuttgart 1-1 Mainz 05
With both teams potentially missing some important players through injury and likely to still be finding their rhythm in their first competitive match for more than two months, we can envisage a share of the spoils in Stuttgart on Saturday.
The hosts should be buoyed by the return of a successful former manager in their dugout, but Svensson's Mainz are generally a tough nut to crack and will not want to return with a defeat.
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FC Koln vs. Werder Bremen (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Both teams will be aiming to bring their losing streaks to an end when FC Koln host Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga's Saturday evening clash.
Koln lost three successive matches to drop to 13th in the table prior to the World Cup, while Bremen clung onto a top-half position despite losing two games in a row.
We say: FC Koln 1-2 Werder Bremen
With Koln still missing several important players through injury, we can envisage the visitors picking up an important away win this weekend.
Fullkrug and Ducksch can cause any opponents issues in transition on their day, with the former likely to be full of confidence after scoring against Spain at the World Cup.
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Barney Corkhill
