Round five picks

Match day five in the Bundesliga is upon us, and the only ones doing worse than Schalke are DW's team of football freaks. We pulled off a rare feat last time around and managed to get all the results wrong (see our results at the bottom of the page).

But winners never quit, and quitters never win. So we're back at it again for the midweek matches. Here's goes nothing.

Tuesday, September 21

Mainz – Cologne

Mainz are topping the table to everyone's surprise and look like a very solid team with a variety of players who can score. Cologne are doing what they do best and eking enough points to stay just above the relegation zone. The Billy Goats held Bayern to a scoreless draw in the last round, and they should be able to do the same against Mainz.

Prediction: 0-0

Hoffenheim – Bayern Munich

Hoffenheim are off to a fine start, while Bayern haven't scored in their past three matches. Not having Arjen Robben is a big factor, of course, and Ivica Olic has yet to find last season's form. But no one's panicking in Munich yet, and we think Bayern will find their range again on Tuesday.

Prediction: Bayern 2-1

Hanover – Werder Bremen

After two wins and a draw, Hanover reverted to their meek losing form last weekend, while Bremen will be looking for redemption after losing to Mainz at home. Both teams are suspect at the back so this could be a real goal-fest, which always favors Bremen.

Prediction: Bremen 4-2

Wednesday, September 22

Leverkusen – Frankfurt

Frankfurt have looked better than their 1-0-3 record while Leverkusen will have to get used to life without Stefan Kiessling, whose ankle injury will sideline him for the foreseeable future. Put those two things together and what you come out with is a dull draw.

Prediction: 1-1

Dortmund – Kaiserslautern

Dortmund's main challenge in this match is to get their feet back on the ground after thrashing arch-rivals Schalke away on Sunday. Kaiserslautern are proving difficult to beat, but then again Dortmund, with its huge crowds, is a very difficult place to play, especially for a newly promoted team.

Prediction: Dortmund 2-1

Hamburg – Wolfsburg

Intriguing, intriguing. There's was little to like about Hamburg's draw with St. Pauli over the weekend – except for Mladen Petric's stunning goal. If Petric gets into the line-up, the Northern Germans should be able to handle the Wolves, who have yet to show they can beat a good team.

Prediction: Hamburg 2-1

Moenchengladbach – St. Pauli

This is a crucial match for Gladbach after the Foals got hammered to the tune of 7-1 by previously winless Stuttgart. St. Pauli should give their back four much more time to get sorted, and Gladbach have proven they can score goals.

Prediction: Gladbach 2-0

Freiburg – Schalke

Speaking of teams facing must-win situations…Schalke. Four games, zero points, and a team that's yet to gel on the pitch is the sad summation of the Royal Blues campaign thus far. Meanwhile, Freiburg are a surprising fourth in the table, albeit thanks to a couple of lucky results. Schalke haven't had enough time to get their house in order, but a point should be within reach.

Prediction: 1-1

Nuremberg – Stuttgart

Nuremberg have drawn three of their first four, while Stuttgart recovered from an awful start to put seven past Gladbach last week. The Club will put up much sturdier resistance, but they may try too hard to get a first win in front of their home fans, which could open opportunities for the Swabians.

Prediction: Stuttgart 2-1

And now for the really sad part…

Last week's result: 0 points

Frankfurt - Freiburg 0-1
(DW Prediction: Frankfurt 2-0)

Bayern Munich - Cologne 0-0
(DW Prediction: Bayern 2-0)

Werder Bremen - Mainz 0-2
(DW Prediction: Bremen 3-1)

Stuttgart-Moenchengladbach 7-0
(DW Prediction: 1-1)

Wolfsburg - Hanover 2-0
(DW Prediction: 2-2)

Kaiserslautern - Hoffenheim 2-2
(DW Prediction: Hoffenheim 2-1)

St. Pauli - Hamburg 1-1
(DW Prediction: St. Pauli 2-1)

Dortmund - Schalke 3-1
(DW Prediction: 1-1)

Leverkusen - Nuremberg 0-0
(DW Prediction: Leverkusen 3-0)

Total for the season: 15

Three points for a correct score prediction
Two points for a correct margin prediction
One point for a correct winner prediction

Author: Jefferson Chase
Editor: Richard Connor