Bundesliga round 15

Bayern v Monchengladbach
Hannover v Leverkusen
Hamburg v Hoffenheim
Wolfsburg v Freiburg
Dortmund v Nurnberg
Stuttgart v Bochum
Eintracht v Mainz
Cologne v Bremen
Schalke v Hertha

It's derby time on the river Main where Mainz go to the Commerzbank Arena to take on Eintracht. After coming back up last season, Mainz have really made an impression this term and sit four points and four places above their big city neighbours. Indeed, they're above the champions, Wolfsburg, which they'd have taken in the blinking of an eye if offered. Not that Eintracht are doing badly. They were among many people's favourites for the drop, mainly because of the terrible, dull and negative play that marked out their 2008/9 season. That's not gone completely, but they're slightly more expansive and their improved showing reflects that. It should be a good one.

Bayern take on Gladbach in the Friday game with Van Gaal set to name the same side that won last week at Hannover. That means a start for Mario Gomez alongside Ivica Olic. Gladbach have a tight defence which a Bayern attack without Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben only likely to get a few minutes at the end will have difficulty breaking down. There are a couple of top v bottom clashes as Bremen go to Cologne in good shape for the three points and Hertha are at Schalke. Hamburg are at home to Hoffenheim in what looks a good game. Leverkusen look good to keep their lead after the weekend as they go to Hannover. Wolfsburg need to pick up the pace and a home game with Freiburg is as good a place to start as any. Dortmund's decent recent form shouldn't be too stretched at home to Nurnberg and there's a big game at Stuttgart where Bochum are the visitors.