Saturday's Bundesliga predictions including Heidenheim vs. Bayern Munich

Union Berlin vs. B. Leverkusen (Saturday, 2.30pm)

Bayer Leverkusen will endeavour to move one step closer to clinching their first-ever Bundesliga title when they travel to Stadion An der Alten Forsterei to face Union Berlin on Saturday afternoon.

Die Werkself are looking to complete their first league double over the Iron Ones since 2019-20 after cruising to a 4-0 home victory in the reverse fixture in November.

We say: Union Berlin 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen

It is difficult to back against a relentless Leverkusen outfit that will want to wrap up the title at the earliest opportunity so that they can shift their focus to both the Europa League and DFB-Pokal in the latter stages of the campaign.

Union Berlin have largely impressed on home soil in recent months and have not lost any of their last three meetings with Leverkusen in front of their own fans, but celebrating success against the in-form league leaders may be a step too far this time around.

Freiburg vs. RB Leipzig (Saturday, 2.30pm)

Europe-chasing Freiburg seek a third Bundesliga victory in four when they host RB Leipzig at the Europa-Park Stadion on Saturday.

The Breisgau Brazilians have not won consecutive league matches since last year heading into this weekend's gameweek 28 encounter, while the visitors aim to stay within touching distance of fourth-placed Borussia Dortmund in the race for next season's Champions League.

We say: Freiburg 1-2 RB Leipzig

While the support could inspire an improved performance in Freiburg's first home match since Streich announced his departure, Leipzig's 10-match undefeated run against Saturday's opponents should become 11, with the hosts failing to beat any of the sides fifth or higher in the table in nine outings.

Mainz vs. Darmstadt (Saturday, 2.30pm)

A potentially-pivotal clash between two relegation-threatened Bundesliga teams takes place at Mewa Arena on Saturday afternoon, as Mainz 05 play host to basement club SV Darmstadt 98.

There was nothing to separate these two sides the last time they locked horns in mid-November when they played out a goalless draw at Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor.

We say: Mainz 05 2-1 SV Darmstadt 98

Just like the reverse fixture, a closely-contested encounter could be in store this weekend between two teams desperate to claim all three points, aware that a draw will not benefit them too much in their quest to avoid the drop.

Taking into account the hosts' slight upturn in form under Henriksen as well as the miserable winless run of the visitors, we can see Mainz coming out on top to put Darmstadt on the brink of relegation.

FC Koln vs. VfL Bochum (Saturday, 2.30pm)

Relegation-threatened FC Koln are two places behind VfL Bochum in the Bundesliga table heading into Saturday's gameweek 28 fixture at RheinEnergieStadion.

Seven points separate both clubs before this weekend's clash, underlining the importance of a home victory for a side keen to suck their opponent into the relegation fight.

We say: FC Koln 1-1 VfL Bochum

Saturday's game is somewhat tricky to call as the low-scoring hosts have been beaten in three consecutive home games, while the visitors have lost five of their last six games, halting that pitiful sequence last weekend against cellar-dwelling Darmstadt.

Thus, a draw could be on the cards when these out-of-form clubs battle at RheinEnergieStadion this weekend.

Heidenheim vs. Bayern (Saturday, 2.30pm)

Bayern Munich face Heidenheim in the Bundesliga on Saturday knowing that they are almost certain to relinquish the Meisterschale after 11 straight German titles.

Last week's defeat in Der Klassiker means Bayern are now 13 points adrift of Bayer Leverkusen, so an almighty collapse will be required if Xabi Alonso's side are to throw away the title from here.

We say: Heidenheim 2-4 Bayern Munich

Bayern have not lost to a Bundesliga debutant since a defeat to Energie Cottbus in 2000, also winning 17 of their last 18 against sides making their first appearance in the top flight.

Heidenheim's foot may have come off the pedal slightly, but they still provide great entertainment, and against a Bayern side who also score and conceded in great quantity, a thrilling encounter could await.

Dortmund vs. Stuttgart (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Borussia Dortmund celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Westfalenstadion by hosting Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

In an important encounter in the race for Champions League qualification, these two are in the box seat to claim a top-four spot, but RB Leipzig are waiting to pounce if either slip up.

We say: Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Stuttgart

Dortmund will be keen for revenge against a Stuttgart side that has already beaten them twice this season, and they look set to extend their winning run to six ahead of the trip to Madrid in midweek.

Both teams have scored in 24 of the last 33 meetings, and the previous 22 encounters have produced a whopping 90 goals, so a thrilling encounter is likely.