Before the Round -- Trends on Germany Bundesliga (30/09)

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With five matchdays down, the Bundesliga has an exciting title race in the early stages. Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen are tied at the top with 13 points apiece.

Just below them are Stuttgart, RB Leipzig, and Hoffenheim. Will matchday No. 6 see a shake-up in the top five?

Koln – Stuttgart

Stuttgart are third after five matchdays, which is a far cry from their relegation fight last term. The Swabians went unbeaten in their last four games against Koln in all competitions. Their last trip to Koln was a nil-nil draw.

Koln started the season in perilous form. The Billy Goats are 16th after five matches, with a mere one point to their name. They are on a two-game losing streak in the Bundesliga. Koln scored just four goals in five matches.

Stuttgart are scoring goals for fun. They tallied 17 goals in the opening five fixtures. Only Bayern Munich’s 18 goals were better. The Swabians are on a three-match winning streak in the league. All three matches finished with over 3.5 goals.

• 1.FC Köln have a poor record of 3 consecutive home losses in Bundesliga.
• VfB Stuttgart haven't lost at half time in their 12 most recent encounters with 1.FC Köln in all competitions.
• In their last 9 games in all competitions, 1.FC Köln have a poor record of just 1 wins.
• In their last 7 away matches from Bundesliga, VfB Stuttgart have seen both teams score.
• Prediction: Stuttgart

Mainz 05 – Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen could return to the top of the Bundesliga with a win over Mainz 05 and Bayern Munich slipping up elsewhere. Xabi Alonso’s team split the season series against Mainz last season, winning 3-0 away before losing 3-2 at home.

Leverkusen are unbeaten this season, with four wins and one draw. They outscored opponents 17-6 in the opening five matches. Bayer took four of their opening 13 points on the road. Their only slip-up came away to Bayern in a 2-2 draw.

Mainz are bottom of the table, with one point after five matches. The 05ers are in serious trouble going into round No. 6, having lost their last three games. Mainz are the league’s joint-lowest scorers with four goals. Meanwhile, they conceded 14 times.

• Mainz have lost all of their last 3 matches in all competitions.
• Bayer Leverkusen have not suffered any defeats in their 7 most recent all competitions matches.
• Mainz's form hasn't been good, as the team has won only 1 of their last 13 matches (Bundesliga).
• Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in 24 of their last 27 all competitions games.
• Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen

Bochum - M'gladbach

Bochum won at home against Borussia Monchengladbach last season, 2-1. The club is aiming for a second straight home win over Gladbach. However, the Foals returned the favour to Bochum, winning on their home turf, 2-0, later in the campaign.

Borussia Monchengladbach just can’t seem to get going this season. They took two points from the opening five matches and sit 15th in the standings. Defence continues to be a problem for Gladbach, as they conceded 13 times.

Bochum aren’t playing much better than Gladbach. VFL took three points – all from draws – in their opening five games. They scored the league’s joint-fewest goals with four and conceded the league’s joint-highest goals with 16.

• VfL Bochum have won just 2 of their last 14 league games.
• In Mönchengladbach's most recent 6 away Bundesliga matches, both teams scored.
• VfL Bochum are conceding an average of 3.00 goals in all competitions matches.
• There have been 3 draws in the most recent away Bundesliga games of Mönchengladbach.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score

Wolfsburg – Frankfurt

Wolfsburg went unbeaten in their last four matches against Eintracht Frankfurt in all competitions. Last season’s game at the VW Arena finished 2-2.

Eintracht Frankfurt are one of four teams not to lose a Bundesliga game this season. However, the Eagles won just one of their opening five matches, while drawing four times. Each of their last four matches ended as draws, and each had under 2.5 goals.

Wolfsburg took nine points from the opening 15 points on offer. They go into round No. 6 losers of two of their last three matches. In round No. 5, the Wolves were beaten 1-0 by Borussia Dortmund. Wolfsburg won both of their previous home games this season.

• VfL Wolfsburg haven't lost in 8 of their last 9 home games in all competitions.
• Eintracht Frankfurt have not been beaten in their last 9 straight clashes in all competitions.
• On average, VfL Wolfsburg have been scoring 2.17 goals in their most recent matches in all competitions.
• There have been 4 draws in the most recent Bundesliga games of Eintracht Frankfurt.
• Prediction: Draw