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Franzi | Games
Franzi | Games 
7 Jan 2026 | Sportsbetting
Bundesliga Matchday Forecast – Matchday 16, 2025/26
All predictions for Bundesliga matchday 16 of the 2025/26 season. From Frankfurt vs Dortmund to Bayer 04 against Stuttgart. Current form, statistics and tips at a glance.
approx. 3 min.
Bundesliga Matchday Forecast – Matchday 16, 2025/26
After the winter break, the time has finally come: the Bundesliga is back – and it returns straight away with a matchday that whets the appetite for more. Over the past few weeks, the teams have been able to recharge their batteries, work on tactical details and reorganise themselves. As a result, fans can look forward to intense encounters, fresh energy and plenty of action on the pitch.
Matchday 16 gets underway as early as Friday evening with a real footballing treat. When Eintracht Frankfurt host Borussia Dortmund, two teams meet that stand for pace and emotion. A perfect start to the new football year. But the matchday has plenty more to offer after that: Leverkusen against Stuttgart promises a high-quality clash between two technically strong sides, while Sunday sees another top fixture with Bayern versus Wolfsburg, a game that is sure to deliver plenty of excitement.
MERKUR Quick Tips for Bundesliga Matchday 16
Frankfurt vs BVB
Frankfurt go into the new year with a decent feeling: in the 1:1 draw in Hamburg, Eintracht showed character after an early mistake and quickly hit back with a well-worked attack. Nevertheless, the issue of consistency remains – there is plenty of quality in their play, but errors like the one made by Collins can prove costly against top teams. Dortmund looked sharp in the 2:0 win against Gladbach and then worked hard and efficiently for the points. It is precisely this combination of game control and efficiency that could make the difference against Frankfurt’s inconsistent defense.
Tip: 2
Freiburg vs HSV
SC Freiburg’s spectacular end to the year showed that the team can find solutions even in difficult phases and, above all, can provide fresh impetus from the bench. HSV recently delivered a solid performance against Frankfurt, but are also aware that their style of play remains the key issue. At times, the Hamburg side play bravely and with purpose, but too often lack precision and cutting edge in the final third.
Tip: Draw
Bremen vs Hoffenheim
Werder have recently shown a fighting spirit and defensive solidity but have created too few chances going forward. Against an in-form opponent like Hoffenheim, this could quickly become a problem if more tempo and precision are not added to their own game. TSG are enjoying an impressive season so far, operating with stability, maturity, and, above all, consistency – a development that hardly anyone had on their radar before the campaign began.
Tip: 2 + over 3.5 goals
Union Berlin vs Mainz
The Eisernen once again recently presented themselves as extremely well organized and patient. These are precisely the qualities with which they regularly turn tight matches in their favor. Especially at the Alte Försterei, Union are difficult to play against and often wait for that one decisive moment. Mainz, on the other hand, remains deeply mired in crisis. The bottom side has been without a win for eleven matches. Although the 05ers are committed and put in plenty of effort, they remain too harmless in the final third to decide games in their favor.
Tip: 1
St. Pauli vs RB Leipzig
The Hamburg side have recently given themselves a bit of breathing space with combative performances but remain limited in attack. The 0:0 draw against Mainz underlined how difficult it is for Pauli to create clear chances, even against direct rivals. Leipzig, meanwhile, will be keen to get back on track quickly after their home defeat to Leverkusen. Despite personnel problems, RB showed good tempo and positional play for long spells but lacked the final edge.
Tip: 2 + over 2.5 goals
Heidenheim vs Cologne
After the heavy setback against FC Bayern, Heidenheim are once again under pressure. Despite the clear defeat, FCH at least showed some resistance in the second half. Cologne, on the other hand, travels with frustration. The loss against Union Berlin was symbolic of the past few weeks: plenty of effort, decent phases, but ultimately too little reward. The long winless run and the lack of a clear attacking idea in the final third remain the central problem. Against Heidenheim, a turnaround is now required.
Tip: 2
Leverkusen vs Stuttgart
With the away win in Leipzig, Leverkusen sent out a real statement. Despite numerous absences, die Werkself were ruthless in the decisive moments. The next top clash follows immediately and once again offers an opportunity to confirm their performance at the very highest level. Stuttgart were largely on equal terms against Hoffenheim for long periods and improved significantly in the second half but lacked the final precision in front of goal. It is precisely this lack of clinical finishing that could make the difference in Leverkusen.
Tip: 1 + under 3.5 goals
Gladbach vs Augsburg
Borussia Mönchengladbach go into the clash with FC Augsburg with mixed feelings. Especially against Dortmund, it became clear that effort and reward are currently not aligned. Chances are being created, but the finishing often leaves a lot to be desired. FC Augsburg, meanwhile, remain stuck near the bottom of the table. Against Bremen, the dilemma was evident once again: decent phases, shots off the woodwork, but no goal. Away from home, Augsburg usually rely on compactness, long balls and set pieces – an approach that is also expected to work in Gladbach.
Tip: Draw
Bayern vs Wolfsburg
FC Bayern emphatically demonstrated at the end of the year that even major changes hardly affect their own game. In Heidenheim, the record champions dominated at will and allowed very little defensively. It is precisely this blend of control and individual quality that makes the Munich side clear favorites. The situation is very different at VfL. The goal-filled spectacle against Freiburg once again exposed the biggest weakness: stability. Offensively, Wolfsburg can always pose a threat, but against an opponent that punishes mistakes ruthlessly, every defensive lapse becomes a danger.
Tip: 1 + over 3.5 goals
MERKUR Bundesliga Matchday Forecast: Highlights of Matchday 16
Recently, BVB have primarily developed one thing: results reliability. Even when performances are not always fluent, Dortmund has been winning tight matches remarkably often this season. That is currently their greatest strength. The team appears more mature more patient and trusts that chances will emerge over the course of the game – and these are then usually taken. This level of composure pays off, especially in close away fixtures.
Frankfurt remains the classic surprise package. On good days, SGE can cause any team in the league enormous problems; on weaker days, however, their balance is quickly lost. Once again, the key lies in the defense: if Frankfurt manages to stay compact and avoid mistakes in build-up play, space opens up for their own attacking game. Then players such as Doan or Knauff can shine with pace and creativity. If the defense starts to wobble early on, however, matches often swing quickly against Eintracht.
The decisive factor will therefore be which face Frankfurt show – the controlled one or the vulnerable one. Dortmund are likely to focus on ball control, remain patient, and wait precisely for those moments when Frankfurt lose their organization.
Prediction: A game with an open outcome. Frankfurt needs a flawless day to win – Dortmund may already be well served by a solid one.
After the statement victory in Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen is immediately faced with the next test of character. The win at RB showed that die Werkself are capable of winning top-level matches even with a depleted squad. This very self-belief currently defines Leverkusen’s performances: brave, controlled, and with clear conviction in their own game.
VfB have repeatedly shown this season that they can compete on equal terms with the top teams in terms of play. Sebastian Hoeneß’s side boasts a clean playing style, good patterns in central areas, and clear ideas in possession. However, of late they have often lacked the final edge in front of goal and sometimes the ruthlessness needed to truly turn matches in their favor. Away from home, this becomes an even greater challenge for VfB. Leverkusen shows little mercy when gaps appear in central areas or during the defensive transition. At the same time, Stuttgart will have opportunities for counterattacking moments if they manage to bypass Werkself’s initial press.
Prediction: Leverkusen goes into the game as the favorite and has the stronger arguments on their side. Stuttgart will put up resistance and create moments of their own, but once Bayer builds momentum, it will be difficult to withstand the pressure over the long term.
At first glance, the situation appears clear-cut, but this encounter is not quite that simple. FC Bayern goes into the match as clear favorites, yet they face an opponent that has noticeably stabilized recently. The Munich side has looked extremely assured throughout the entire first half of the season. Regardless of rotation or absences, their playing philosophy remains clearly recognizable: plenty of possession, high positional discipline, and targeted increases in tempo in the final third. Especially in home matches, the record champions often force their opponents to defend deep and cover long distances without the ball.
Wolfsburg, however, travels with renewed confidence. Since the change of coach, VfL have steadied themselves, collecting seven points from their last four matches and appearing far more stable overall. In particular, their organization off the ball has improved significantly. The fact that Wolfsburg currently sit in 14th place only partially reflects the quality within the squad – the potential in the team is, in truth, far greater. The Lower Saxony side can be dangerous, especially in transition moments. With pace on the wings and physical presence through the middle, Wolfsburg certainly possesses the tools to pose a threat.
Prediction: Wolfsburg should approach the game with more confidence than they did a few weeks ago and are likely to put up a good fight in phases. Over the full ninety minutes, however, much points towards Bayern, who should be able to assert their class and squad depth.
