Bundesliga week 33

Hannover v Wolfsburg
Dortmund v Arminia
Stuttgart v Energie
Leverkusen v Monchengladbach
Hertha v Schalke
Hoffenheim v Bayern
Bochum v Eintracht
Hamburg v Cologne
Bremen v Karlsruhe

Everyone kicks off at half past two on Saturday this week as the season enters it's final two weeks. If anyone is going to make a statement of intent, it had best happen this week. Wolfsburg remain top on goal difference, but have faltered away from home these last few weeks, just as the finishing line approaches. This week they go to Hannover who have precious little to play for. Stuttgart are hot favourites to take all three points from their home tie with Cottbus while the other two title challengers have tougher prospects. Hertha have Schalke visiting the Olympiastadion while Bayern go to resurgent Hoffenheim. Bayern have struggled against pretty much everybody, only managing to beat those clubs down at the bottom in uninspiring fashion. Two wins in a row and Hoffenheim suddenly look like kingmakers.

Down at the bottom, Bochum can do themselves a massive favour should they beat Eintracht who are not completely safe themselves. A point will do for the Frankfurters, but they are playing some of the most dour football seen since Red Star won that European Cup Final, only without the technical ability of that star-studded side. Karlsruhe's relegation will be confirmed if they fail to beat Bremen while Arminia really need to beat Dortmund to keep their survival hopes alive. Gladbach pulled out of the trouble spots last week, but have a tough trip to Leverkusen.

Finally, Hamburg are out of it so far as the title is concerned, but need a win at home to Cologne to maintain hopes of European football for next season.