Before the Round – Trends on the Germany Bundesliga (18-19/02)

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The Bundesliga’s top two teams, Bayern Munich and Union Berlin, are separated by just one point. Round 21 could see Union Berlin overtake Bayern in the title race, while Freiburg and Eintracht Frankfurt may continue their assaults on the top spot.

VfL Bochum - SC Freiburg

Bochum and Freiburg split the last six head-to-head encounters with three wins apiece. Freiburg are on a two-game league winning streak versus Bochum, including a 1-0 home win earlier this campaign.

Freiburg are fourth and six points off Bayern Munich. The team has been up and down over the last six games, taking 10 points from the last six games. Their last three away matches all ended in defeats.

Bochum are 15th in the standings and three of their last four games in the league ended in defeat. However, VFL took nine points from the last 18 points on offer. Bochum are playing well at home, with five straight matches ending as victories.

• VfL Bochum have won their last 5 home Bundesliga games in a row.
• The team of SC Freiburg are on a streak of 3 away losses by a margin of 2 or more goals in Bundesliga.
• In their last 7 home games in all competitions, VfL Bochum have recorded 6 undefeated encounters.
• SC Freiburg haven't lost in 22 of their last 26 games in all competitions.
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals

Eintracht Frankfurt - Werder Bremen

Eintracht Frankfurt are unbeaten in five of their last six head-to-head matches versus Werder Bremen. Frankfurt won a seven-goal thriller, 4-3, earlier this season away to Bremen.

Werder Bremen are ninth in the table and safe from relegation. Just two wins were recorded from the team’s last six games, as they lost four times. Bremen have conceded the third-most goals this season with 39.

Frankfurt were shocked 3-0 by FC Koln last weekend. It ended a five-game unbeaten streak in the division. Eight points separate Frankfurt from first-place Bayern. Just nine points were taken by Eintracht in the last six games. They are on a three-game home win streak.

• Eintracht Frankfurt's most recent record of 13 home games in all competitions consists of no losses at half time.
• Werder Bremen have conceded an average of 2.33 goals in their away Bundesliga matches.
• Eintracht Frankfurt haven't lost in 9 of their last 10 games in all competitions.
• Werder Bremen are conceding an average of 1.95 goals in Bundesliga games.
• Prediction: Eintracht Frankfurt

1. FC Union Berlin - FC Schalke 04

Union Berlin are one point off Bayern Munich and could move into first place with a win and Bayern dropping points to Borussia Monchengladbach, who are their bogey team. Union are unbeaten in five of their last six games with Schalke in all competitions.

The Irons are top of the form table with 15 points from the last six games. Union scored 12 goals and conceded eight times. Urs Fischers’ team will play on Thursday in the Europa League, which could affect their performance.

Schalke are bottom of the table but drew their last three games in the league. Five points separate Schalke from the relegation playoff place. The Blues took just three points from their last three games. All three games finished as nil-nil draws.

• Union Berlin's most recent record of 15 consecutive home games in Bundesliga consists of no losses.
• Schalke 04 have succefully kept a clean sheet in their 3 most recent games in all competitions.
• The team of Union Berlin have achieved 6 straight wins in all competitions.
• No goals have been scored by Schalke 04 in their last 3 games in all competitions.
• Prediction: Union Berlin

Bayer 04 Leverkusen - 1. FSV Mainz 05

Bayer Leverkusen are in good form ahead of their match with Mainz. Bayer picked up a 3-0 win over Mainz earlier this season, but they will play in the Europa League on Thursday, which could hurt their attempts on Sunday.

Mainz one just one of their last six games versus Bayer Leverkusen. The 05ers failed to win on each of their last three trips to the BayArena. Mainz aren’t safe from relegation, but their form has improved, with eight points from the last six games.

Leverkusen are eighth and just eight points off the top six. Twelve points were taken from the last six games by Bayer, as they scored 10 goals and conceded six times.

• In their last 7 home games in Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen have been undefeated on 6 occasions.
• In their 6 most recent Bundesliga games, Mainz have seen both teams score.
• On average, Bayer Leverkusen have scored 1.90 goals in their last home matches in Bundesliga.
• There have been over 2.5 goals in Mainz's last 5 all competitions games.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score