Bayern Munich hope to take another step towards the Bundesliga title this weekend, but preparations for Sunday’s trip to Freiburg were marred by a training ground clash between Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski. NaijaBet.com
Hummels and Lewandowski clashed during a training session on Wednesday, but Bayern will look to brighten the mood by extending their colossal 19-point lead at the top of the table this weekend.
Elsewhere, Kevin-Prince Boateng returns to action for Eintracht Frankfurt, while Hamburg face former goalkeeper Rene Adler as they continue their desperate bid to avoid relegation against Mainz.
Here are five things to look out for in this week’s Bundesliga action:
Handbags at Bayern
Bayern Munich will hope that Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski have buried the hatchet by the time they face Freiburg on Sunday. The two players clashed on Wednesday, with Hummels reportedly criticising Lewandowski’s attitude before telling him to “shut your mouth”.
The argument comes amid a wave of media speculation this week that Lewandowski may be angling for a move away from Bayern. Bayern will face Freiburg without Kingsley Coman, who underwent ankle surgery this week and is set to be out of action for several weeks. NaijaBet.com
Mental test for Leipzig, Dortmund
Both RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund are struggling with psychological issues ahead of their crucial top-six clash on Saturday. Leipzig’s Yussuf Poulsen told Bild newspaper that his team had “a mentality problem” after last week’s shock defeat to Cologne. Dortmund coach Peter Stoeger had equally harsh words for his team after Monday’s 1-1 draw with Augsburg. “We showed no passion,” said Stoeger. “I didn’t get the feeling that everyone was giving everything to win the game.” NaijaBet.com
Dortmund are currently in second, but are only three points ahead of sixth-placed Leipzig.
Boateng is back
Kevin-Prince Boateng will return to action on Saturday as Eintracht Frankfurt host Hanover.
Boateng missed out on last week’s defeat to Stuttgart due to suspension, after having fired Frankfurt to victory over Leipzig the week before. One of the surprises of the season, Frankfurt are currently in fourth, just a point ahead of Bayer Leverkusen. Against Hanover, they will once again be without Omar Mascarell, who has missed the last fortnight with a foot injury. NaijaBet.com
Muscle misery for Gladbach
Borussia Moenchengladbach’s European hopes are on the brink of collapse as their injury woes continue ahead of Friday’s clash with Werder Bremen.
Youngsters Laszlo Benes and Mamadou Doucoure were the latest to suffer muscle injuries this week, joining the likes of Raffael, Oscar Wendt and Ibrahima Traore on the treatment table.
Adler out to hurt Hamburg
Mainz goalkeeper Rene Adler could land a cruel blow to former club Hamburg on his return to Bundesliga action this Saturday. NaijaBet
Adler hopes to make his first league appearance since October after returning to training this week, in what is a crucial relegation six-pointer.
It is a must-win game for Hamburg as their hopes of staying in the Bundesliga for a 56th consecutive season fade.
Fixtures
Friday: Borussia Moenchengladbach v Werder Bremen (1930 GMT)
Sunday: Cologne v VfB Stuttgart (1430 GMT), Freiburg v Bayern Munich (1700 GMT) NaijaBet.com