Stuttgart Draw at Mainz

A win would have seen Stuttgart temporarily replace Schalke 04 at the summit but the draw means they are still a point behind the leaders, although they do nudge Werder Bremen out of second.

"We had a chance to go top but we did not take it," said German international Thomas Hitzlsperger. "I suppose it is good that people expect us to get more than a point as it shows how far we have progressed. We just hope to get back to winning ways next weekend."

For Mainz, who prop up the German table, it was a vital point in their bid to beat the drop.

Mainz beat English giants Liverpool 5-0 in a pre-season friendly and that is threatening to be the highlight of their season.

Profligacy in front of goal hinders both sides

Former Stuttgart striker Imre Szabics should have scored against his old club after just five minutes but the Hungarian international missed an open goal side-footing over when it appeared easier to score.

"A 0-0 against Stuttgart is not so bad but we could have had so much more," said Mainz goalkeeper Christian Wetklo. "We missed the chance to take the lead early on and that would have made it much easier as we could sit back and play on the counter attack more."

Stuttgart are averaging almost two goals a game this season but they looked out of sorts as an attacking force.

Indeed the other good chance of a drab first half fell to Szabics who headed over when well-placed.

In the second half Stuttgart upped the ante with German Under-21 international Mario Gomez, eight goals to his name already this season, twice going close.

However it was Mainz who looked the more likely to take the spoils, but some wayward finishing leaves them still searching for their first win since the opening day of the season.

Bayern, Bremen hoping to close gap at the top

Defending champions Bayern Munich, currently in fourth, have the chance to move level on points with Schalke providing they can defeat Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday. Gladbach are managed by Juup Heynckes who won the German title as Bayern coach in 1989 and 1990.

Werder Bremen entertain Hertha Berlin, a creditable fifth, on Saturday trying to keep their focus on the league ahead of Tuesday's Champions League showdown with Barcelona.

Bremen need just a point at the Nou Camp to reach the last 16 of the competition and eliminate the holders.

If they can overcome Hertha they will replace Schalke, currently two points ahead, at the top with the latter in action against Nuremberg on Sunday.

The German season is reaching its halfway point and after this weekend there are only two more games left before the six-week winter break.

Traditionally the team top at Christmas, labeled the 'winter champions', goes on to lift the title in May - as Bayern have done the past two seasons - so the four teams in contention will be desperate for that psychological edge.