Cameras are to be fully zoomed on leaders Borussia Dortmund to detect any signs of vulnerability during their visit to Wolfsburg.
Although Lucien Favre’s stylists remain unbeaten, identical 2-2 draws with Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga and Union Berlin in the DFB Pokal are raising question marks over their durability.
Pressure from fixture congestion dictates that Favre must continue rotating his line up to keep the team fresh. But continued chopping and changing seems to be affecting form.
Wolfsburg are hoping to further exploit Dortmund’s divided attention as Favre juggles his side in readiness for Tuesday’s Champions League tie away to Atletico Madrid.
After being rested for Wednesday’s extra time victory over Union Berlin, teenage revelation Jadon Sancho whose goal involvement has scouts all over Europe salivating, is among a raft of stars set to return to the starting line up on Saturday. With Marco Reus and Paco Alcacer also almost certain to feature, Wolves’ defense will have their hands full containing Dortmund’s three goals per game striking line.
Six-time defending champions Bayern Munich are cast iron favourites to dispatch Freiburg in one of Saturday’s ties.
Robert Kovac’s Bavarians are in fine fettle after converting a four-game winless run, into a four match winning streak.
However, Bundesliga action commences Friday night with Stuttgart taking on Eintracht Frankfurt at the Mercedes Benz Arena.
A change in management has not yet yielded dividends for Stuttgart who are in danger of falling into a relegation scrap.
Frankfurt are counting on returning Croatian international Ante Rebic and Sebastian Holler to deliver goals while Stuttgart are reliant on misfiring veteran Mario Gomez.
A particularly appetizing fixture to look forward to is the visit of Julian Nagelsman’s Hoffenheim to Heikko Herrlich’s Bayer Leverkusen.
Goals galore are anticipated in this clash as between them, the two teams fired in ten goals last weekend.
In other fixtures, Borussia Monchengladbach want nothing but victory against newcomers Fortuna Dusseldorf whereas fellow surprise challengers Werder Bremen are keen to bounce back from last week’s embarrassing 2-6 reversal at home to Bayer Leverkusen in Sunday’s trip to Mainz.
FRIDAY:
-Stuttgart v Eintracht Frankfurt
SATURDAY:
-Bayer Leverkusen v Hoffenheim
-Bayern Munich v Freiburg
-Augsburg v Nuremberg
-Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund
-Schalke v Hannover
-Hertha Berlin v RB Leipzig
SUNDAY:
-Borussia Moenchengladbach v Fortuna Dusseldorf
-Mainz v Werder Bremen
