Six teams are very close together at the bottom of the table: Felix Magath kept Hertha in the Bundesliga last year. This time the coach is a spectator in the relegation battle.
In theory, even Borussia Mönchengladbach, 1. FC Köln and Werder Bremen in tenth, eleventh and twelveth place can still be relegated. But the danger becomes more realistic in the next few places.
Relegation decisions are not yet made on the 31st match day – even if Hertha from Berlin can only reach the relegation place on goal difference in the worst case scenario in the event of a defeat against VfB Stuttgart.
THIS TALKS FOR:
FC Augsburg (13th place/31 points/39:55 goals)
FC Augsburg can fight relegation. The Swabians have proven this again and again in recent years. In addition, home wins this year against Mönchengladbach, Leverkusen, Hoffenheim and Bremen give coach Enrico Maassen courage for the next happy ending.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (14./29./39.51)
A squad with Andrej Kramaric, Ihlas Bebou or Sebastian Rudy. In addition, the return of leading figure Grischa Prömel. In addition, the winning streak against Hertha BSC, Werder Bremen and Schalke 04 showed that there is more to the team than 14th place in the table would suggest.
VfB Stuttgart (15./28./38.52)
The shape curve. Under the direction of coach Sebastian Hoeneß, VfB have not suffered a defeat yet. The new system is working, striker Serhou Guirassy is fit and accurate again and morale is right. Five out of six goals under Hoeneß came in the final quarter of an hour.
VfL Bochum (16th/28th/33:67)
Bochum were only twice in a direct relegation zone in the second half of the season and are the strongest team at home in the bottom third of the table. Even BVB couldn’t win on Castroper Strasse. In addition, VfL still plays against teams at eye level: Gladbach, Augsburg and Hertha.
FC Schalke 04 (17./27./28.57)
Two recent home wins are fueling hope for a conciliatory season finale. With a mentality like last time in the home game against Bremen (2-1), the team can still make a difference.
Hertha BSC (18./22./35:61)
Not much. The rest of the program is a small glimmer of hope. The Berliners still play against Stuttgart and Bochum at home. With Stevan Jovetic and Chidera Ejuke, two offensive players are available again, who should liven up Hertha’s sluggish attacking game. Defensively, Hertha was stabilized against Bayern under new coach Pal Dardai.
THIS COUNTS AGAINST:
FC Augsburg (13./31./39:55)
Actually hardly anything. Thanks to the lead, FCA have it in their own hands – despite tough home opponents like Union Berlin and Dortmund. However, the absence of the injured international striker Mergim Berisha weakens the team. If he fails until the end of the season, things could get very tight. Without him, things get stuck at the front.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (14./29./39.51)
A change of coach has not put TSG on a stable course. André Breitenreiter had to go after nine games without a win. Under the successor Pellegrino Matarazzo there were five defeats, followed by three wins and a 1-1 draw at Bayern and two more bankruptcies. Two points is 1899 away from the relegation zone. The European Cup contenders Wolfsburg and Union Berlin are opponents in the final sprint.
VfB Stuttgart (15./28./38.52)
The away weakness. Stuttgart have only celebrated one win abroad this season and there are still away games at direct competitor Hertha BSC and at FSV Mainz 05. In addition, the VfB pros still often make individual mistakes that are punished.
VfL Bochum (16th/28th/33:67)
With 33 goals, the Revierelf have the second weakest attack in the entire league and by far the worst goal difference.
FC Schalke 04 (17./27./28.57)
Definitely the rest of the program. Of the four remaining games, three will take place away from home, where Schalke have hardly gotten anything recently. And the opponents are tough too: Mainz, Bayern and Leipzig. Frankfurt comes to the only Schalke home game.
Hertha BSC (18./22./35:61)
The gap to the relegation place is six points. Schalke is also five points away in 17th place. Hertha should probably get at least nine points from the last four games. In the 15 games this year there have only been eight together. The Berliners, who have not won in eight games, now have to score goals, but have been far too harmless in attack all season. Even in the more stable games, there are almost always goals against.
Bundesliga match day
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
