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Franzi | Games
Franzi | Games 
3 Feb 2026 | Sportsbetting
Bundesliga matchday prediction 2025/26 – Matchday 21
All predictions for the 21st matchday of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. From Union Berlin vs. Frankfurt to Gladbach vs. Leverkusen. Current form and tips at a glance.
Bundesliga matchday prediction 2025/26 – Matchday 21
The 21st matchday of the Bundesliga is dominated by one central question: Will the championship get exciting again? With TSG Hoffenheim in top form, it is the team of the moment that awaits the record champions. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund is watching very closely. BVB has suddenly closed the gap to six points – quietly, discreetly and without much fanfare. The hope of still having a say in the championship battle is back. Away from the top, things are heating up at the bottom of the table. The duel between Heidenheim and HSV is particularly explosive. For FCH, it could be one of their last chances to reach safety. Another setback would make the situation even more precarious.
Merkur quick tips for the 21st matchday of the Bundesliga
Union Berlin vs. Frankfurt
Union Berlin wants to get back on track in front of its home crowd and is focusing on intensity and defensive organization. Despite the defeat against Hoffenheim, Baumgart's team held its own for a long time and showed some good moves, at least in phases. The situation is completely different for Frankfurt: Eintracht conceded at least three goals for the fifth Bundesliga game in a row against Leverkusen and has been waiting just as long for a win. The SGE is therefore under enormous pressure at the Alte Försterei, and Union senses an opportunity to exploit Frankfurt's uncertainty.
Tip: Draw
Freiburg vs. Bremen
In Freiburg, patience meets unrest. Despite their defeat in Stuttgart, SC Freiburg put in a solid performance, defending disciplinedly and keeping the game open for a long time – only a late goal broke the deadlock. Werder Bremen, on the other hand, is carrying heavy baggage: SVW has now gone ten league games without a win, and has also parted ways with coach Horst Steffen. While Freiburg is building on its positive momentum, Bremen arrives with many unanswered questions, both sporting and emotional.
Tip: 1 + under 3.5 goals
Mainz vs. Augsburg
Two teams brimming with confidence are set to clash in Mainz. The Nullfünfer are coming off the back of a brave performance in Leipzig, where they turned the game around despite Hollerbach's injury. Augsburg are also traveling with confidence: they are unbeaten in four games, most recently putting up a great fight and securing a Gregoritsch brace against St. Pauli. While Mainz relies on pace, quick transitions, and defensive solidity, FCA trusts in its robustness and newly found consistency.
Tip: Draw
Wolfsburg vs. Dortmund
VfL Wolfsburg's form has been mixed recently. After a completely lackluster first half in Cologne, the Wolves improved significantly but failed to capitalize on a series of great chances. That is precisely the big issue at the moment: a lot of effort, too little reward. BVB, on the other hand, arrive with three points in the bag, even if their 3-2 win against Heidenheim was more of a nail-biter. Dortmund showed morale and turned the game around in the second half. We can expect a duel in which pace, transition moments, and nerves of steel will be decisive.
Tip: 2
St. Pauli vs. VfB Stuttgart
The Kiezkickers created many chances in their 1-2 defeat, but were careless in front of goal and were punished by a composed FCA side. Their lack of clinical finishing remains an issue. This is a risky approach against an opponent as efficient as Stuttgart. The situation is different for VfB: despite significant rotation, Stuttgart defeated Freiburg late on and remains unbeaten in seven league games. Hoeneß's team is currently demonstrating the necessary composure in decisive moments.
Tip: 2 + over 3.5 goals
Heidenheim vs. HSV
Despite impressive morale, 1. FC Heidenheim still has its back against the wall. In a wild 2-3 defeat in Dortmund, Schmidt's team once again showed that it is competitive, but as so often, it failed to capitalize on decisive moments. This is precisely what keeps FCH at the bottom of the table. The 2-2 draw against Bayern was not only a respectable result for HSV, but also a signal in the relegation battle. Hamburg played courageously, physically present and, for the first time in weeks, efficiently enough in front of goal. Now they need to carry this momentum into the match against a direct competitor.
Tip: 2 + under 3.5 goals
Gladbach vs. Leverkusen
Borussia Mönchengladbach continues to tread water. The late 1-1 draw in Bremen felt more like a defeat, as Borussia once again conceded little defensively but robbed themselves of the reward through passivity. Tabakovic's goal came out of nowhere, but instead of providing security, the game tipped in the final stages. Leverkusen's 3-1 win was a textbook example of efficiency and composure: few chances, maximum reward. Even though the Werkself faltered briefly after the break, they showed the more mature approach in the end. Against a faltering Gladbach, Leverkusen are likely to once again focus on punishing mistakes ruthlessly.
Tip: 2
Köln vs. Leipzig
1. FC Köln gave themselves some breathing space at the bottom of the table with a narrow 1-0 win over Wolfsburg, but they know themselves that the victory was built on shaky foundations. A strong first half earned them a deserved lead, but then FC increasingly lost control and only survived the Wolves' period of pressure thanks to luck and a strong performance from Schwäbe. RB Leipzig, on the other hand, travel with a few question marks hanging over them. The defeat against Mainz revealed an uncharacteristic lack of threat and punch. Although RB showed flashes of skill at times, they lacked consistency in the final third and failed to capitalize.
Tip: 1
Bayern vs. Hoffenheim
FC Bayern goes into this top match with its self-confidence dented. After the defeat in Augsburg and the surprising 2-2 draw at HSV, the record champions are in a mini-crisis for the first time. Despite dominating play, they have recently lacked defensive stability, and Bayern has allowed an unusually high number of counterattacks. TSG, on the other hand, comes to Munich with maximum momentum. With five wins in a row and still unbeaten in 2026, Hoffenheim has really hit its stride. Led by the ice-cold Kramaric, Ilzer's team impresses above all with its classy play and tactical discipline.
Tip: Draw
Merkur Bundesliga matchday predictions: The highlights of matchday 21
The Wolves remain an enigma. Against Cologne, Wolfsburg showed two completely different sides: in the first half they were unable to get a grip on the game, but after the break they dominated play and yet still failed to score. The chances were there, but the finishing was too imprecise, too hasty, too inconsistent. It is precisely this lack of clinical finishing that has been a recurring theme in recent weeks. Against an opponent like Dortmund, such carelessness could once again be bitterly punished.
After Bayern dropped points again, Dortmund has quietly and secretly closed the gap on the league leaders to six points. For the first time in weeks, there is renewed hope that they can still have a say in the championship race. It's not a big declaration of war, more of a cautious wake-up call. But it is precisely this feeling that can unleash forces. However, Niko Kovac also knows that this hope will only remain alive if BVB continues to score points consistently. The 3-2 nail-biting victory against Heidenheim showed morale and offensive quality, but once again exposed weaknesses in defense.
Prediction: In Wolfsburg, we will see whether this situation inspires or paralyzes BVB. For VfL, it's a matter of survival at the bottom of the table, while for Dortmund, it's about more than three points: it's about the feeling of really being back in the game.
For 1. FC Heidenheim, the air at the bottom of the table is getting thinner and thinner. Despite a passionate performance against Borussia Dortmund, they ended up with another defeat and once again were left with the feeling that more could have been possible. What made it particularly bitter was that Heidenheim came close to turning the game around on several occasions, but failed to capitalize on their best chances in the closing stages. It is precisely this lack of efficiency that has been a recurring theme in recent weeks and is one of the main reasons why FCH continues to languish at the bottom of the table. Frank Schmidt's team certainly showed quality against BVB. Courageous, aggressive, and repeatedly threatening to score, Heidenheim challenged the favorites until the last minute. But defensive lapses once again made the difference. Heidenheim is now under pressure against HSV: another game without points could further exacerbate the situation.
The 2-2 draw against FC Bayern felt like a small liberation for HSV. After five league games without a win, Hamburg showed not only morale but also courage, creativity, and resilience. The first half against the record champions in particular made it clear that Hamburg can compete in the Bundesliga. Nevertheless, caution is still advised at HSV. Despite their strong performance against Bayern, Hamburg are still deeply embroiled in the relegation battle. Their defensive stability is not always guaranteed, and every little mistake at this level immediately costs points. On a positive note, however, HSV have recently been much more active and versatile in attack and did not hide away against a strong opponent.
Prediction: For FCH, this may be one of their last chances to stay in touch with the bottom of the table. HSV, on the other hand, can further distance themselves from a direct competitor with a win and capitalize on the point they earned against Bayern.
FC Bayern is facing a decisive home game. After its first defeat of the season in Augsburg and a sobering 2-2 draw at Hamburger SV, the record champion's long period of dominance has been noticeably shaken for the first time. Although they still have a comfortable lead at the top of the table, recent results have shown that Munich are currently vulnerable. This puts even more pressure on them to deliver a clear response against Hoffenheim. Vincent Kompany is particularly concerned about the defense. In two of their last three league games, Bayern have conceded two goals each, with set pieces and quick transitions increasingly proving to be weak points. Added to this is a certain unease in their build-up play as soon as the opposition presses boldly. Nevertheless, the course of action for FC Bayern is clear. Anything less than a win would not only sow further doubts, but also give their pursuers Dortmund further hope.
TSG is the strongest team in the league in 2026. Five wins in five games speak for themselves, and the team is also remarkably efficient. Hoffenheim struggled for a long time against Union Berlin, but remained patient, struck at the right moment, and controlled the game until the final whistle. Led by Andrej Kramaric, who once again proved to be the difference maker, Christian Ilzer's team has developed into a real top team. TSG is capable of defending deep, but can also create periods of pressure and play out transitions cleanly. A look at Bayern's recent performances shows that they are not without a chance in Munich: as soon as precision is lacking, opponents get space.
Prediction: It's a duel with clear roles, but an unusual starting position: Bayern under pressure, Hoffenheim full of confidence. Whether the record champions can cement their dominance or TSG can continue their flawless run will depend not least on who can impose their rhythm on the game.
