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18 Feb 2026 | Sportsbetting

Bundesliga matchday prediction 2025/26 – Matchday 23

All predictions for the 23rd matchday of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. From Bayern vs. Frankfurt to RB Leipzig vs. Dortmund. An overview of current form and tips.

Bundesliga matchday prediction 2025/26 – Matchday 23

The 23rd matchday of the Bundesliga promises high drama across the entire table. At the top, the title race is heating up, and the fight for Champions League qualification remains fierce, but the most desperate battles are happening at the bottom. While RB Leipzig and Dortmund face off in a high-stakes encounter for a top-tier spot, and Bayern Munich tries to stave off the pressure from their rivals in a home game against Frankfurt, the relegation zone is a battlefield for survival. The northern derby between St. Pauli and Werder Bremen is essentially a relegation final—a massive six-point game where neither side can afford to stumble. In short, this weekend could fundamentally reshape the standings from top to bottom.

Quick-fire Bundesliga predictions for Matchday 23 by Merkur

Mainz vs. HSV

Mainz is still reeling from a painful loss to Dortmund, which snapped their winning streak and highlighted a recent lack of clinical finishing. They'll be relying on their home support to rediscover their rhythm. Meanwhile, HSV arrives in strong form, picking up seven points from their last three outings. The promoted side has looked defensively solid and has found its scoring touch again, largely thanks to the leadership of Königsdörffer. If HSV can maintain this level of composure, they could easily snatch a result on the road.

Tip: Draw

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Bayern vs. Frankfurt

FC Bayern looks to have regained their footing. The record champions dominated their 3-0 victory in Bremen, with Harry Kane continuing his prolific run by netting twice and further cementing his goal-scoring legacy. Eintracht Frankfurt also has reason to be optimistic, having snapped a losing streak with a clinical 3-0 win over Gladbach. Coach Riera's side was incredibly efficient, scoring three times from very few opportunities and keeping a clean sheet. However, facing a rejuvenated Bayern in Munich will be a far more demanding test for the young Frankfurt squad.

Tip: 1 + over 3.5 goals

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Wolfsburg vs. Augsburg

Wolfsburg's form remains unpredictable. Despite leading twice in their match against Leipzig and looking like likely winners for a large part of the game, they ultimately settled for a 2-2 draw. On the other hand, FC Augsburg is steadily climbing. Their narrow 1-0 win over Heidenheim marks their third victory in four matches, even if the actual performance was lackluster for significant portions of the game.

Tip: Draw

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Union Berlin vs. Leverkusen

Union Berlin's drought continues. A loss to HSV marked their seventh consecutive game without a win; while they were competitive, they were let down by a blunt attack and too many defensive lapses. Contrast this with Bayer Leverkusen, who continue to dominate. Their 4-0 demolition of St. Pauli was a masterclass in control, featuring two early goals and a strong finish. Week after week, the 'Werkself' are proving why they are top contenders for a Champions League berth.

Tip: 2 + over 3.5 goals

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Köln vs. Hoffenheim

Cologne suffered a heartbreaking away defeat in Stuttgart, conceding two late goals to slide into a second consecutive loss. Despite showing great spirit and managing a temporary equalizer, they left empty-handed once again. TSG Hoffenheim had a much better experience, cruising to a 3-0 win over Freiburg. This result not only set a club record of eight straight home wins but also showed they've recovered their stability after a tough outing in Munich, with Coufal starring via two assists.

Tip: 2

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Leipzig vs. BVB

RB Leipzig is eager to get back in the win column after a frustrating 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg, where they failed to convert plenty of chances. Though they showed resilience by coming back twice, they currently lack the consistency needed to secure a Champions League spot. Dortmund, however, is on a roll, remaining unbeaten in the Bundesliga throughout 2026 with six straight wins. Following a brilliant performance by Ryerson (four assists) and a double from Guirassy against Mainz, Leipzig will need a flawless game to stop the BVB momentum.

Tip: Draw

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Freiburg vs. Gladbach

Freiburg looked completely exhausted in their 0-3 loss to Hoffenheim, clearly drained by a grueling 120-minute cup tie earlier in the week. Before that fatigue set in, they had won two games in a row, showing positive growth since the start of the year. Borussia Mönchengladbach is in a far worse state; their 0-3 loss in Frankfurt was their sixth straight game without a win. With a struggling attack and a leaky defense, the 'Foals' seem to be running out of ideas, and nerves may be the deciding factor in their next clash with Freiburg.

Tip: 1

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St. Pauli vs. Bremen

After being dismantled 0-4 by Leverkusen, St. Pauli have now suffered nine away defeats, with their attack completely vanishing in that match. Werder Bremen heads to the Elbe with similar worries. Although they showed heart against Bayern, they lacked a clinical edge up front. They created chances, but none were truly dangerous, and their defense struggled against elite opposition. This northern derby features two teams desperate for points and struggling for consistency.

Tip: Draw

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Heidenheim vs. Stuttgart

Heidenheim is still fighting for their lives in the relegation scrap, now winless in nine matches. They could have taken more from their 0-1 loss to Augsburg but failed to convert their best opportunities. VfB Stuttgart, meanwhile, bounced back from a slip-up at St. Pauli with a sharp 3-1 win over Cologne, proving once again how lethal they are in the final minutes. With Demirovic and Undav firing and the bench providing quality, Stuttgart heads into the Brenz derby with plenty of confidence.

Tip: 2

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Merkur's Bundesliga Matchday 23: The Must-Watch Games

FC Bayern Munich vs. Eintracht Frankfurt

Bayern's convincing 3-0 win in Bremen has quieted the critics for now. The performance served as a direct answer to questions regarding their style of play and inconsistent form, with Harry Kane leading the charge with two goals. However, the job isn't done. BVB is breathing down their necks, and Bayern cannot afford any lapses in concentration, especially with the 'Klassiker' looming on the horizon.

Eintracht Frankfurt arrives in Munich with a renewed sense of hope. After a seven-game winless streak, their 3-0 victory over Gladbach provided a massive boost. Under Albert Riera, the team looked more organized, aggressive, and clinical, with Bahoya providing two key assists. The big question now is whether that performance was a genuine turning point or simply a result of facing a weak Gladbach side.

For Frankfurt to succeed, they must maintain a tight defensive shape and match Bayern's intensity both physically and mentally. Bayern will likely attack from the first whistle, utilizing their speed and depth. Whether Frankfurt's reorganized defense can hold firm will be the key to their performance and their overall hopes for European qualification.

Prediction: Bayern are the clear favorites here. However, if Frankfurt can neutralize key areas and be brave on the counter-attack, an upset isn't entirely out of the question.Prediction: Bayern goes into the game as the favorite. But if Frankfurt manages to close down the right spaces and remain courageous in transition moments, a surprise cannot be completely ruled out.

This is a high-stakes encounter where three points aren't enough. Borussia Dortmund is fighting for more than just a win; they want to extend their incredible 2026 run and keep the pressure on Bayern. Any dropped points now would be devastating for their title ambitions, particularly since they face Bayern in a direct showdown next week. This isn't just another match—it's a potential gateway to a championship finale, and BVB cannot afford any mistakes.

For RB Leipzig, this is essentially a six-point game in the hunt for the Champions League. Sitting just outside the top four, they desperately need to close the gap. Beating a direct rival like Dortmund would provide a massive leap in the standings and a huge psychological lift. While the draw with Wolfsburg showed their fighting spirit, it also exposed a lack of finishing and defensive gaps that top-tier teams like BVB will ruthlessly exploit.

Prediction: Dortmund is driven by the desire to stay within striking distance of Bayern, while Leipzig is fighting to climb back into the Champions League spots. It will be a fascinating clash of two distinct, high-ambition tactical approaches.Prediction: Dortmund does not want to lose touch with Bayern and keep a possible final match in the championship race open, while Leipzig needs to catch up in the table and close a gaping hole to the Champions League ranks. It is a duel in which two different but equally ambitious playing concepts clash.

Sunday's battle at the Millerntor is a high-pressure fight for survival. With St. Pauli in 17th and Werder Bremen in 16th—separated by only two points—this is a classic six-point relegation scrap. The stakes are simple: the loser risks falling into a deep hole, and a home win for St. Pauli could push Bremen directly into the relegation zone.

There is immense pressure on Werder Bremen and their new manager, Daniel Thioune. With two losses since his arrival, the 'honeymoon phase' is over. A defeat in this basement battle would bring the heat back to the Weser stadium almost immediately. It's a game for confidence and survival. While Bremen showed flashes of bravery and created chances through Grüll and Schmid against Bayern, their recurring problem this season—a lack of a clinical finish—remains their biggest hurdle.

At the same time, St. Pauli is locked in a desperate struggle to avoid relegation. While losing 0-4 to a powerhouse like Bayer Leverkusen was expected to be tough, the defeat still sparked a wave of heavy criticism. The numbers are grim for the 'Kiezkickers,' who have suffered nine losses on the road and managed only four victories all season. Their only real glimmer of hope lies in their home form; having recently knocked teams like Stuttgart off their game at the Millerntor, they'll be looking to leverage that home-field advantage once again.

Our take: This is a high-stakes clash where both sides are fighting for their lives in the league. For Werder, a poor result could put coach Thioune in the hot seat immediately. Meanwhile, St. Pauli is under immense pressure to secure points to ensure the distance between them and the 16th spot doesn't become impossible to close.Prediction: A relegation battle with maximum stakes for both clubs. Werder must deliver, otherwise Thioune will immediately come under pressure. Pauli must score points, otherwise the gap to 16th place threatens to become unbridgeable.

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The Bundesliga's 23rd matchday is here—which fixtures have you got your eye on for your bets?