There were plenty of busy Bundesliga clubs during the closing stages of the January transfer window with the likes of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Sami Khedira making returns to the German top flight and fans will be eager to see if new additions can make a difference right from the off.
Hello weekend
It's time for #BLMatchday 20
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— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) February 5, 2021
Wolfsburg were the standout side last week, beating Freiburg to move into the top three, while there were also wins for Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig as we move into the second half of the campaign.
Free-Scoring Frankfurt Can Cause Problems for Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim acquired the services of Bayern Munich defender Chris Richards in January in a bid to bolster their defensive resolve but the loanee is unlikely to cause enough of an impact to halt Eintracht Frankfurt this weekend.
Ermin Bicakcic (cruciate ligament), Benjamin Hübner (ankle) and Kevin Akpoguma (thigh) are all long-term defensive absentees for Hoffenheim, whose recent mini-resurgence came to an end when they were thumped 4-1 by Bayern Munich last time out.
And they could again struggle to contain an Eintracht Frankfurt unit, who harbour hopes of a European berth this season following six wins in their last seven matches.
The Eagles netted at least twice in each of those successes with Andre Silva continuing to excel and the January addition of Luka Jovic providing Silva with support in the final third.
Since rejoining his former side Frankfurt on loan last month, Jovic has struck three goals in his first 105 minutes of football back at the club and he can help them justify odds of 5/4 to beat Hoffenheim.
Mainz’s Troubles Set to Intensify
The previous eight teams to have collected only ten points from their opening 19 Bundesliga matches have gone on to be relegated and that does not bode well for Mainz, who are worth opposing against Union Berlin this weekend.
The outfit from Rhineland-Palatinate have lost 13 of their 19 matches in the German top flight this campaign and are only two points better off than basement boys Schalke.
Union’s hopes of landing a stunning European berth are fading but they held Borussia Monchengladbach to a stalemate last time out and have still only lost four times in the Bundesliga this term.
And Mainz are unlikely to cause the capital club too many issues in the final third with joint-top scorer Robin Quaison expected to miss this clash with a knee injury and dangerous forward Jean-Philippe Mateta having left for Crystal Palace last month. Back a Union win at 13/10.
Wolfsburg Look to Build on European Push
Wolfsburg have been reliant on points at home in the Bundesliga this season but have enjoyed wins to nil over Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz on the road recently and will be full of confidence travelling to Augsburg on Saturday.
The Lower Saxony side also dominated Schalke in the DFB Pokal in midweek and with Champions League football a real possibility this season, Wout Weghorst and company are unlikely to take their foot off the pedal.
They look a great bet at 4/5 to beat Augsburg, who have lost four of their last five matches.
*All odds correct at time of writing