Bayer Leverkusen may not be reaching the heights of last season, with a sub-par 44% win rate so far, but they still possess more than enough firepower and quality to secure a comfortable win over a struggling Bochum side languishing at the bottom of the Bundesliga table.

Bochum’s season has been nothing short of disastrous, with signs pointing toward an inevitable relegation unless their form takes a drastic turn. They’ve struggled across all areas, both home and away, and defensively have been especially vulnerable, conceding an average of 3.22 goals per game.

Their offence has been equally lacklustre, averaging just 0.75 goals per game at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion. Bochum’s only league point came at home against fellow strugglers Holstein Kiel, highlighting just how much they’ve been unable to compete even with lower-ranked teams.

Given their defensive fragility, three of their four home games have seen over 2.5 goals, the only exception being a 2-0 loss to Mönchengladbach—a game where the scoreline could easily have been higher.

Leverkusen, meanwhile, remain a formidable attacking force, despite not replicating last season’s defensive discipline. They’ve already conceded nearly two-thirds of the goals they allowed last season, but their attacking prowess has continued to shine.

With the second-best offence in the Bundesliga, Leverkusen are averaging 2.22 goals per game, a figure they’ve maintained (2.5) on the road as well. The recent history between these two teams only strengthens the case for a high-scoring Leverkusen win, with Leverkusen having comfortably triumphed in both matchups last season (5-0 and 4-0).

Given Leverkusen’s attacking consistency and Bochum’s defensive struggles, this selection appears well-positioned for a Leverkusen win with over 2.5 goals on Saturday.

With Mainz struggling to find home success and Dortmund faltering on the road, Saturday’s clash looks primed for an open, goal-filled affair.

Mainz, currently sitting in 13th place, have yet to claim a victory at the MEWA Arena, managing only two points from five home games. Both defence and attack have been concerns, as Mainz have mustered only three goals at home all season.

Their offensive bluntness is underscored by their xG, which suggests they should be converting at nearly twice their current rate—indicating not only issues in creating high-quality chances but rather in finishing them.

Dortmund, meanwhile, are also enduring away-day struggles, having yet to secure a league win on the road. Their season has been a mixed bag, marked by two strong victories in other competitions—a 3-0 win over Brugge and a 4-1 triumph against Phonix Lubeck—that reflect Dortmund’s attacking prowess when they find their rhythm.

In fact, scoring hasn’t been Dortmund’s primary issue, as they’ve netted an average of 1.5 goals per game on the road across all competitions. The real concern lies in their defence, which has been porous on the road, allowing an average of two goals per game.

Dortmund’s defensive lapses have been particularly costly, as seen in games where they’ve conceded five goals twice, suggesting a vulnerability to switching off and losing control late in games. Consequently, three or more goals have been scored in six of Dortmund’s eight away games – a trend that is likely to continue on Saturday.

The history between Mainz and Dortmund also favours an open contest. Nine of their last 13 encounters have featured at least three goals, setting the stage for another goal-laden match as both teams seek to address their respective shortcomings.

In this matchup, rather than focusing on a typical victory prediction or total match goals, the spotlight is on Bayern Munich’s prolific scoring ability, with a bet that they’ll net three or more goals – a reasonable expectation for the Bundesliga’s powerhouse.

St. Pauli, struggling to adapt to life in the Bundesliga, currently sit in the relegation zone with just two wins from nine matches. While they’ve battled defensively and kept games tight, especially at home, their offensive struggles are evident—they’ve yet to score in front of their home fans.

Despite managing to keep the league’s second-lowest average in terms of total match goals, they’ve conceded 11 goals in nine games. This might seem decent, but they haven’t yet encountered a side as ruthlessly efficient as Bayern Munich. Bayern’s incredible scoring rate could challenge even the stoutest defences, making this a daunting test for St. Pauli.

Undefeated this season, Bayern Munich boast a fearsome average of 3.56 goals per game, a figure that climbs to 4.2 when they’re on the road. In the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal Cup, Bayern have netted three or more goals in all seven of their away fixtures, and four or more goals in five of those. This relentless scoring trend underscores their attacking depth and precision.

With star players like Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Jamal Musiala leading the charge in superb form, Bayern’s current attack looks near-unstoppable. It’s hard to envision St. Pauli containing this offensive juggernaut, setting the stage for another high-scoring display from the current Bundesliga leaders.

After suffering their first Bundesliga loss of the season in what was a rather controlled 2-1 victory by Dortmund, Leipzig will be eager to regain momentum and keep pace with Bayern at the league’s summit. Despite the setback, Leipzig’s season has been impressive, especially at home, where they’ve built a fortress at the Red Bull Arena.

With the Bundesliga’s best defensive record, Leipzig’s record at home is among the strongest in Europe. Undefeated on their turf, they’ve won three of their four home league games, averaging two goals per match. Even more impressive, Leipzig’s defence has only been breached once at the Red Bull Arena this season – a testament to their resoluteness and resilience at the back.

Meanwhile, Borussia Mönchengladbach continue to struggle under Gerardo Seoane. Positioned in the bottom half of the table, Gladbach’s performances on the road have been especially uninspired.

Although they’ve conceded fewer goals away than at home, their attack has been worryingly ineffective, averaging just one goal per game. With only four points from their four away matches, their sole road victory came against bottom-of-the-league Bochum – hardly an indicator of strong form.

Adding to Gladbach’s challenge is Leipzig’s historical dominance. Leipzig have emerged victorious in 10 of their 16 encounters with Gladbach, and crucially, they remain unbeaten against them at the Red Bull Arena. With Leipzig looking to restore their winning rhythm, this fixture could be another imposing chapter for a struggling Gladbach side.