What to Watch In The Bundesliga This Week: Week 2

So to continue the series that I started last week, I'll submit 3 can't miss games from each Bundesliga weekend, plus maybe a couple honorable mentions. Enjoy!

Saturday, August 23rd

Werder Bremen v. FC Schalke 04

The real doozy for this weekend, for any weekend for that matter. Werder is one of the Bundesliga's true attacking sides, especially behind attacking midfielder Diego. On form Werder smashed home 6 against Schalked last season, and the Koenigsblau will look to redeem themselves.

Werder, last seasons runners-up, have recently tied up the loan signing on Claudio Pizzaro from Chelsea. Matched with Markus Rosenberg who bagged a brace against Arminia Bielefeld, look for this to be an attacking affair. Defensively Werder are one of the best on paper with Per Mertersacker, Clemens Fritz, and Naldo. They will provide a tough nut for Schalke's depleted squad to crack.

Schalke lost Jermaine Jones (pictured above) to injury in the game against Hannover, adding to the long injury list in Gelsenkirchen. However Mladen Kristajic is working closer to fitness as well as Ze Roberto rejoining the squad. Schalke are not without options, and are ruthless at set plays, with all 3 goals coming off of free kicks and corners in last weeks game.

Prediction: 1-1

1899 Hoffenheim v. Borussia Moenchengladbach

A sentimental pick based on my last article, I'm really pulling for the country club Hoffenheim, and their matchup with Borussia is interesting as they both are newly promoted sides.

Hoffenheim scored a great victory over Energie Cottbuss last weekend and are looking to build on that success. Vedad Ibisevic had a great game last time out bagging 2 goals in the process. Look for Hoffenheim to continue the attacking football the established in the first game.

Borussia had a tougher time back in the Bundesliga, losing 3-1 to Stuttgart. However, the recent call up and goal for Marko Marin for Germany means there is a bright future for the club. However, I think Hoffenheim's positive momentum will take them through in a slim victory.

Prediction: 1-0 Hoffenheim

Borussia Dortmund v. FC Bayern Munich

Last year this matchup would just be an easy win for Bayern and nothing more, but that was last season. This season Dortmund is a much better side all around. The defense is young and talented, and there are attack options. Bayern are still without stars Frank Ribery and Luca Toni, but while still a strong side they showed their weakness in a 2-2 draw against HSV.

Dortmund recently tied up a deal with HSV swapping Mladen Petric for Mohammed Zidan. The former Mainz attacking midfield will bolster Dortmunds attack. The club scored 3 on their opening day, and while they did concede 2, I imagine the defense will tighten up for the Bayern test. Mats Hummels and Neven Subotic will give the Bayern attackers a rougher game, no matter how young they are.

Reports are Luca Toni may play some part in the match after just coming off injury, but I doubt he is up to full fitness. Tim Borowski and Bastian Schweinsteiger will make up the wide pair for Bayern, and Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose form a lethal front line. While Dortmund is better, they aren't that much better, and Bayern should be able to penetrate the Dortmund defense.

Remember though that Dortmund defeated Bayern in the German Super Cup, so either Dortmund will use the knowledge of that to pull a double over Bayern or Bayern will come out firing to get that chip off their shoulder. Klinsmann is looking for his first Bundesliga win.

Prediction: 3-1 Bayern

Enjoy the matches this weekend! This will keep you all occupied I'm sure on top of La Liga and EPL action. Until next week! Aufwiedersehen!