Match day 6

While neither DW nor Anne Gillies (@cheekybackheel) were bathed in glory, at least our low score was a shade higher than hers - and knowing what ineptitude we are capable of at times, we'll take any kind of success we can get. So, moving smugly on, we now feel well enough prepared to take on another challenger as match day six approaches.

Follow us on Twitter (@DW_Sports) for the next chance to be picked to pick! This week's guest guesser is Jason LeBlanc (@OutsideMid) of the United States.

Friday, September 16

Freiburg - Stuttgart

After being on the receiving end of Bayern's Magnificent Seven last week, Freiburg will have to work hard to put such a collapse behind them when Stuttgart come calling on Friday. The psychological damage on losing 7-0 cannot be underestimated and with Stuttgart pulling off a fine 3-0 win over a much-fancied Hanover side, Freiburg could be in for another hard night. Stuttgart are a puzzle. They've earned some quality wins and shown glimpses of a cohesion which was missing last term, but are still capable of some lackluster outings. Their schedule thus far has been among the league's toughest and a win over their Baden-Württemberg rivals would be just the thing to build some confidence.

DW prediction: Stuttgart 2-0

Guest prediction: Freiburg 2-1

Saturday, September 17

Leverkusen - Cologne

It may have only been at Augsburg, but Leverkusen's 4-1 away win last weekend was a fine display for a team that is beginning to hit its stride. There were also real positives to be taken from the midweek 2-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea – a score line which flattered the Londoners. Cologne can hardly be classed as in the same league as Chelsea so if Leverkusen can be as combative as they were in London while finding the net the way they did against Augsburg, it should be an easy home win for Robin Dutt's side.

DW prediction: Leverkusen 3-1

Guest prediction: Leverkusen 3-1

Hamburg - Gladbach

It would be so much easier to feel sorry for Hamburg in their current plight if they didn't deserve to be bottom of the league so much, having earned a single point thus far. Forget about luck, forget about bad refereeing decisions - they're there because so far they've been rubbish. It's a shame because they're a huge club with a team - on paper at least - who should be fighting for Europe. It's likely they'll turn it around sooner or later, probably after Michael Oenning becomes the first coach to be sacked this season - although he's far from the only one to blame. Gladbach should keep their good run going by adding to Oenning and HSV's woes.

DW prediction: Gladbach 1-0

Guest prediction: Draw 2-2

Nuremberg - Bremen

Bremen not only claimed the bragging rights in the North German derby against Hamburg last week but kept pace with their old southern nemesis Bayern Munich at the top of the table with their 2-0 win at the Weserstadion. Nuremberg scraped a narrow win at Cologne to stay in sight of the European places but Bremen's impressive form this season puts them in the driving seat. Werder appear to be more relaxed than they have been for some time and as such, we think they'll break through Nuremberg's defense early - a task at which many teams can labor.

DW prediction: Bremen 2-0

Guest prediction: Bremen 3-2

Hoffenheim - Wolfsburg

It's certain Felix Magath took great joy from beating his old team Schalke, not just because it wound up those supporters who never took to him while he was in charge of the Royal Blues but because it helped ease the pressure over Wolfsburg's dire form so far this season. They've still lost more than they've won but it was a deserved victory over a Schalke team which had looked to be building up a head of steam. Hoffenheim are another such team gaining momentum and could give Felix another uncomfortable afternoon, one which may not go his way this time.

DW prediction: Hoffenheim 2-1

Guest prediction: Draw 1-1

Hertha - Augsburg

The clash of these two newly-promoted sides comes at a time when they're heading in opposite directions. The grizzled veteran Hertha has quickly remembered what it means to be a top tier side and the work that is required to climb the ladder. The tender debutant Augsburg has had its dreams shattered by the reality of a league that shows no mercy to sides lacking quality or a cunning tactical plan. After holding their own in a couple of tough draws, Augsburg have now succumbed to three straight defeats. Hertha are now unbeaten since their opening day loss and claimed the scalp of the champions Dortmund last week. It's easy to see who's the more comfortable team at this level.

DW prediction: Hertha 2-0

Guest prediction: Hertha 2-0

Kaiserslautern - Mainz

Mainz contributed much to their own 4-0 demise to Hoffenheim last week and a team with more quality than Hoffenheim would have heaped more misery on Thomas Tuchel's side. Luckily, Mainz face Kaiserslautern and not someone like Bayern this week. It should be much easier to avoid a spanking at the hands of the 17th-placed strugglers but Mainz will still have to cut out the dithering which undid them against the Hoff if they're not going to come unstuck by the odd goal. Kaiserslautern look devoid of answers to the myriad questions their poor start has provoked. Mainz are likely to make this three defeats in a row for them.

DW prediction: Mainz 1-0

Guest prediction: Draw 1-1

Sunday, September 18

Hanover - Dortmund

Both Dortmund and Hanover look like sports cars that have had sand poured into their tanks. Last season, both zoomed around, weaving between opponents and leaving them in a spin. This season, however, as soon as it looks like the turbo is about to cut in, the engine cuts out. Dortmund are spluttering in much the same way as they did for most of the past decade before last season's title success: showing promise but not fulfilling it - which is even more infuriating now everyone knows what they truly capable of. Hanover too had stepped up a level and looked a top three side. They're also in need of a rapid service to get things finely tuned again. This one could be a dead-heat for the checkered flag.

DW prediction: Draw 2-2

Guest prediction: Dortmund 4-1

Schalke - Bayern

Schalke boss Ralf Rangnick took over the club with clashes like this in mind. He's in charge of a team which should be challenging and worrying Bayern, allowing him to pit his intellect and wit against the Bavarian success machine - a true yardstick for any ambitious coach. He has the tools but does he yet know how best to use them? Three wins and two defeats is not a shocking start but losing to Wolfsburg showed that for all his subtleties, Rangnick sometimes lacks wisdom - thinking that his team's superior technical skill would be enough to win away to a fired-up side fighting for its life. He'll need an old head on his young shoulders to out-smart Jupp Heynckes, especially with Bayern managing to combine stingy defense with outrageous attack. It will be Schalke's biggest test so far, but also Bayern's - the Munich outfit have played exactly one top-half club so far (Gladbach), and were beaten.

DW prediction: Bayern 3-1

Guest prediction: Bayern 2-0

Last week's results:

DW: 6 points

Guest: Anne Gillies (@cheekybackheel) from the United States: 5 points

DW total for the season: 29 points

Guest total for the season: 34 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