Phoenix from the flames

After gaining ground in week six, the home team kept up the pressure last week by edging Germany's Tobi P. (@redrobbery) to an 8-7 win. With the two sides on level terms, the DW team attempt to get their noses in front with a good display in the predictions for match day eight.

This week's challenger is Kit Holden (@KitHolden) of England.

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Friday, Sept. 30

Kaiserslautern - Stuttgart

It could be argued that it was only a matter of time before HSV woke up, but Stuttgart were sloppy enough to deserve to lose in last week's 2-1 home loss to the league’s bottom club. Losing to the biggest losers does sting, but nobody’s panicking - mostly because it beats the hell out of being bottom themselves, which is where Stuttgart were last season at this juncture.

Kaiserslautern, meanwhile, have been mostly wretched thus far and look a very strong wager for the drop. Even so, Stuttgart will have to be wary of another banana skin. As last season showed, a series of slip ups can soon become a rapid decline.

DW prediction: Draw 1-1
Guest prediction: Stuttgart 2-1

Saturday, Oct. 1

Dortmund - Augsburg

Dortmund have everyone scratching their heads again this season. While last year it was because people couldn't figure out how they became so good, now observers are perplexed as to why they've become so ordinary. They're still producing many more chances than their opposition in games but are failing to make good on them - a habit they exhibited at times last season too, but then they kept things tight enough at the back to win most matches. A better side than Augsburg could heap more concern on coach Jürgen Klopp's shoulders but even after a humbling defeat in Europe in midweek, Dortmund should still be confident of a win, even a battling one full of missed chances.

DW prediction: Dortmund 2-0
Guest prediction: Dortmund 3-0

Leverkusen - Wolfsburg

Leverkusen showed character to come back from last week's 3-0 defeat to Bayern to beat Genk in the Champions League in midweek but the Belgian champions are nowhere close to the current level of the Bavarian giants. The gulf in class last weekend between Leverkusen and Bayern was as clear as it was on Wednesday night. Leverkusen have much to do in the Bundesliga to challenge for the title but they can at least get back to winning ways against Wolfsburg who may have won last week but remain unconvincing and erratic. Leverkusen should still be too good for Felix Magath's side.

DW prediction: Leverkusen 3-1
Guest prediction: Leverkusen 3-2

Nuremberg - Mainz

It's a testament to how well Mainz have performed over the last few seasons that this is their worst start in three years. But the fact that they have over-achieved since gaining promotion in 2009 won't be any comfort to Thomas Tuchel and his boys right now as they sit in 14th, in the midst of a five-game winless skid. Mainz need a break but will struggle to get one in Nuremberg. The Franconians are obstinate and tricky opposition, and after losing to Gladbach last week they'll want to recover and stay within reach of the European places.

DW prediction: Draw 2-2
Guest prediction: Nuremberg 2-0

Freiburg - Gladbach

The bubble hasn't burst yet. Gladbach are level on points, although behind second-place Bremen on goal difference. They're still just two points behind Bayern and currently in a Champions League berth. How times change. Last season's strugglers have shown steel, skill and determination to get where they are so far and will want to make the most of facing lower opposition to keep the pressure on those at the top. Freiburg are experiencing that sinking feeling as their early season form suggests a relegation battle could feature in their future. Gladbach know how that feels, but won't have any sympathy.

DW prediction: Gladbach 2-0
Guest prediction: Gladbach 1-0

Hoffenheim - Bayern

Hoffenheim got a bit of a reality check last week - albeit a slightly surreal one at the hands of Cologne. The feel-good factor that was carrying them to the top dissipated in a 2-0 defeat and while one could see it coming eventually, it was surprising that it was Cologne who administered it. Whether this now means that Hoffenheim's prototypical crisis of confidence starts here depends on how drastically they lose to Bayern, because - in all seriousness - it's about how many goals Bayern will win by rather than if they will win, right? If Cologne took the wind out of Hoffenheim's sails, Bayern could well capsize them in the following storm. The safe money is on Hoffenheim sinking without trace.

DW prediction: Bayern 4-0
Guest prediction: Bayern 3-1

Hertha - Cologne

If things continue like they have been for Cologne, they may start suffering from altitude sickness. Given that they're more used to valleys than peaks, tenth place is getting close to vertigo territory for Stale Solbakken's team. If they're not to return to base camp with nosebleeds and dizziness, Cologne will have to start not just surprising allegedly better teams but also taking points when they’re expected. This would be a good place to start - Hertha are a peer to Cologne in that they are not strictly a relegation favorite, but are even further from announcing their candidacy for Europe.

DW prediction: Draw 1-1
Guest prediction: Draw 2-2

Sunday, Oct. 2

Hanover - Bremen

With only one defeat so far this season, one would expect Hanover to be flying up the league in much the same fashion as they did last season. However, it's the stalemates which have so far undone their good start this time. Three draws and as many wins is not a bad return. But with those above them looking more confident at closing out games, Hanover need a run of victories, not the slow culmination of a point here and point there to keep pace. Bremen, in contrast, are reeling off the wins. Five victories out of seven so far tells its own story but while the cavalier attacking style has returned, a new steel is also apparent. Grinding out a 2-1 win against Hertha shows they can win ugly too.

DW prediction: Bremen 3-1
Guest prediction: Draw 1-1

Hamburg - Schalke

Seven weeks in and Hamburg appear to have realized that the season has actually begun. But just as one swallow doesn't make it spring, one victory over a wasteful Stuttgart doesn't constitute a revival. The points from that victory were welcome, of course. With the bottom three clubs all on four points, a win for Hamburg at home to Schalke on Sunday could take them out of the relegation zone for the first time. However, while Schalke have had a jarring time of late with Ralf Rangnick quitting as coach, the impetus of Huub Stevens returning to lead the team to victory in the Europa League may have the galvanizing effect Schalke need to keep in touch with the league’s lead pack. It will be a tough test of Hamburg's embryonic yet shaky resolve.

DW prediction: Schalke 2-1
Guest prediction: Schalke 2-1

Last week's results:

DW: 8 points

Guest Tobi P. (@redrobbery) of Germany: 7 points

DW total for the season: 44 points

Guest total for the season: 44 points

Three points for a correct score prediction

Two points for a correct winning margin prediction

One point for a correct winner prediction

Author: Nick Amies
Editor: Matt Hermann