Matchday 31 of the Bundesliga this weekend

This weekend, if Bayern Munich win in the capital and Borussia Dortmund lose away in Stuttgart, Bayern Munich will be crowned Bundesliga champions for a record fourth consecutive time. Bayern Munich would then have a 10-point lead with three games left, ending any mathematical chance of Dortmund winning the title.

Stefan Bienkowski: Gladbach need another home win to line up assault on top-four spot

While Hoffenheim have seen their position in the league rise thanks to improved form, Gladbach's hold on a top-four spot has slipped because of their inability to pick up points on the road.

This is why this weekend's clash at Borussia Park is so important to the Foals. This is a must-win game for Gladbach if they hope to put themselves in a strong position to secure a Champions League spot ahead of a tough final three games.

After hosting Hoffenheim, André Schubert's side has to travel to Bayern Munich, host Bayer Leverkusen and then finish the season in Darmstadt. These three games could spell disaster for their hopes of finishing in the top four.

Gladbach have to continue an impressive run of home form that has seen them pick up eight wins from their last 10 home games. To do that against a resurgent Hoffenheim (13 points from their last five games), who are potentially two wins away from safety, could define Gladbach's season.

Ross Dunbar: Schmidt and Brandt saving Leverkusen

Saturday's visit to Schalke couldn't have come at a better time for Bayer Leverkusen. Roger Schmidt's side have won their last five league games and last week they leaped into third place, ahead of challengers Hertha Berlin.

For a while, around the time of the Europa League exit to Villarreal, Schmidt's job seemed to be hanging on a shaky peg. However, since his three-match touchline suspension, nothing has been able to take the German's mind off the task at hand. Schmidt's vision for high-intensity, aggressive football has been blurred by the seemingly endless list of injury and fitness issues in his squad. Charles Aranguiz is finally fit again, while Kevin Kampl returned with a decisive goal versus Frankfurt last Saturday. Even more encouraging is that Ömer Toprak resumed full training last week.

While Javier Hernandez's streak has cooled down in recent weeks, Julian Brandt is in sizzling hot form having contributed seven goals in his last six games (four goals, three assists). The rapid speed of Brandt's development accelerates at an interesting time ahead of a potential call-up to the German Olympic squad. To feature in the Champions League, though, would be precisely the challenge that Brandt - and Leverkusen - must consistently expose themselves to if they want to move forward. A win at the Veltins Arena would go a long way to securing third-place.

Matchday 31 fixtures:

Hamburg 2-1 Werder Bremen (Friday)

Wolfsburg vs. Augsburg (Saturday)

Stuttgart vs. Dortmund

Cologne vs. Darmstadt

Hertha vs. Bayern Munich

Ingolstadt vs. Hannover

Schalke vs. Leverkusen

Gladbach vs. Hoffenheim (Sunday)

Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Mainz

What are you looking out for this weekend in the Bundesliga? Let us know on Twitter @DW_Sports.