Lucky Number Seven
Seven: that's the number of matches left in the season for the Bundesliga. And there is a lot of stake for all of the Bavarian clubs. Here's your preview of the weekend action, including what's important for each club.
Team: FC Bayern München
Opponent: Borussia Monchengladbach
Kickoff: Saturday 15:30 CET, Allianz Arena
What's at stake: Champions League berth 2011-12
At the same time a couple of years ago, Bayern were stuck in neutral with Jürgen Klinsmann. The risk of missing out on the following year's Champions League was enough to send Klinsmann packing and brought in Jupp Heynckes to save the season. History repeats itself, Heynckes is back but not until the summer. The club will have to catch up with Bayer Leverkusen and Hannover 96 with Louis van Gaal. Bayern need a win and loss by Hannover who are at league-leading Borussia Dortmund to move into the qualification spot. The end goal is to overtake Leverkusen, and the match between the clubs in two weeks may be the decider.
(Editor's Note: Salman Mitha will be tweeting live from the Allianz Arena, follow the action @sal_TMT_sports.)
Team: 1.FC Nürnberg
Opp: 1.FC Cologne
Kickoff: Sunday 15:30 CET, Rhein Energie Stadium
What's at stake: Europa League berth 2011-12
'Der Club' has steadily risen in the table over the past weeks with an eight-match unbeaten streak, broken only last week in a loss. But Nuremberg are now two points behind 1.FSV Mainz, who still hold onto the last Europa League spot despite dropping points the past weeks. The two teams face each other on April 24th.
Team: FC Augsburg
Opponent: DSC Arminia Bielefeld
Kickoff: Today at 18:00 CET, Schüco Arena
What's at stake: 1st place in the second division, promotion
Augsburg are unbeated in their last 7 and find themselves 2 points clear of the top of the table. Three points tonight seems in the bag as they travel to the team sitting at the bottom of the second division. FCA beat DSC 3-0 back in November.
Team: FC Ingolstadt 04
Opponent: FC Energie Cottbus
Kickoff: Today at 18:00 CET, Stadium of Friendship
What's at stake: Relegation
FCI are only 2 points ahead of the drop zone and need points every week to stay ahead. Cottbus have had a solid season and includes at 2-1 comeback victory in November.
Team: TSV 1860 München
Opponent: Alemannia Aachen
Kickoff: Saturday at 13:00 CET, Tivoli
What's at stake: Survival
The result, if the match is played, will be secondary. The Lions need 8 million Euros to continue playing in the Bundesliga the rest of this year and next. They will play the rest of the year, but the future remains dubious.
Stay tuned to TMT Sports for more on this story and a recap of the action from the pitch over the weekend.