5 Matches to Define the Bundesliga Season Before New Year
The first half of the 2014-15 Bundesliga season is nearing its end, with just four rounds left to be played before the winter break.
The current campaign has brought surprises throughout the table, with some of the league's traditional clubs struggling in mid-table and even the relegation zone, while the noveau-riche and even some less financially successful sides have been soaring.
Stuttgart and Dortmund, both German champions in the last seven years, have been struggling in the relegation zone as of late, along with Hamburg, who have played more games in the Bundesliga than any other team in the league's history.
At the top of the table it's been business as usual for Bayern, who hold a commanding lead. But where BVB and Schalke (sixth) have been unable to succeed, Wolfsburg, Leverkusen, Augsburg and Gladbach have rounded off the top five. If the first round were to end today, the table would be quite astonishing.
There is still plenty of football left to be played, and a lot can happen in the next four rounds. As the final stretch begins to unfold, B/R takes a look at the key games that remain between now and the winter break; arranged in chronological order. Click "Begin Slideshow" for our analysis, beginning with a fixture just days away.
Leverkusen vs. Bayern: Are B04 the Real Deal?
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Roger Schmidt has enjoyed plenty of success in his first term as Leverkusen coach, leading his team to first place in their Champions League group and third in the Bundesliga table. The Werkself beat Dortmund handily in August and later Benfica, Zenit (at home and away) and most recently won their derby with Cologne by a 5-1 margin.
Leverkusen still have some tough challenges in the coming weeks, including a home game against Gladbach and away fixtures with Benfica, Hoffenheim and Bayern. The biggest challenge of course will be Bundesliga leaders and two-time defending champions Bayern, whom Leverkusen will face on Saturday. The Roten, especially since September, have looked every bit the giants they are billed to be.
Still, B04 have a strong team with an excellent tactician as their coach and will be highly motivated by the prospect of taking down the league giants. Will they close the gap on first place and take even more confidence into the final stretch before the winter break? Their next fixture is huge.
Augsburg vs. Bayern: Are FCA European Material?
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The rise of Augsburg has been an improbable one, the small Bavarian club having only been promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time in 2011. Yet after nearly three-and-a-half seasons, and despite lacking a financier like Hoffenheim had in Dietmar Hopp, FCA are in contention for a spot in the Champions League. After narrowly missing out last season as they finished eighth in the Bundesliga, Augsburg would represent the German top flight in international competition if the season were to end today.
Between now and the end of the first round, FCA will face some tough opponents, including Gladbach and Bayern. After this weekend's fixture with Cologne, their next task will be to take on Bayern in what would be billed as more of a derby if the two sides had played more often in the same league.The atmosphere will not be the same as in one of the Bundesliga's traditional rivalries, but one can expect a heated task.
FCA have proven themselves as fierce competitors in recent years, and their comeback last weekend to score three unanswered goals after going behind is a testament to the belief they have as a team. Of course, they will need to reach a new level if they are to stand a chance against Bayern.
Leverkusen vs. Monchengladbach: Derby of Champions League Hopefuls
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Leverkusen and Monchengladbach's derby this month will be extra special, with the two sides currently involved in a competition for the Bundesliga's four Champions League spots. Precious little has separated the two sides this season, and their meeting in Round 15 on December 14 could be hugely important in the race for the top four.
The Werkself took the spoils in both of last season's derby fixtures, including a six-goal thriller, but Gladbach are a stronger side now; they even held Bayern to a scoreless draw in late October. Both clubs lead their respective groups in international play, so fans can expect a spirited and highly entertaining fixture.
Hamburg vs. Stuttgart: The Relegation Six-Pointer
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Hamburg and Stuttgart are two of Germany's most traditional sides, each with a massive fanbase and a rich history of success, the pair holding 11 German championships between them. And yet, both are in severe danger of being relegated.
HSV avoided the drop in May only due to their winning a playoff, and once again are at the bottom of the table. And VfB, who have struggled for long spells repeatedly in recent years before turning it around in the second half of the season, will have to repeat their previous escapes if they are to remain in the German top flight for another season.
In Bundesliga Round 16, Hamburg and Stuttgart will meet at the Imtech Arena in what at that time could still be a surprise relegation "six-pointer." If there's a winner, it could make a huge difference in deciding which side is condemned to relegation and which (if any) survives.
Dortmund vs. Wolfsburg: Can BVB Narrow the Gap Before the Winter Break?
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The fall campaign has been calamitous for Dortmund, who have completely lost their confidence and at this point are more likely to be relegated than to qualify outright for next season's Champions League.
The quality in Jurgen Klopp's squad is far too great for their league position, though, and the question looks to be a matter of when BVB will find their form. If they win all of their remaining fixtures until the winter break, it could put them back within reach of a top-four finish.
In order to close the gap, it's especially important that BVB win their games against the teams in contention for the top four. Between now and the end of December, their only such opponents are Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg, the biggest test apparently being the latter in Round 16. Dortmund recently edged a similarly high-flying Gladbach thanks to a freak own-goal by Christoph Kramer. This month, they'll surely need more than good luck to overcome the hurdles they face.
