Bundesliga 2025-2026: Bayern Munich-Cologne, the likely lineups
The 2025-2026 Bundesliga has reached its final chapter. Nine matches all at the same time at 3:30 p.m. for the German league, which after rewarding Bayern Munich for the thirty-fifth time (updated record) is at the final straight as far as European verdicts and the tough fight at the tail end of the standings are concerned.
For German champions Bayern it will be the final catwalk at the Allianz Arena against Cologne: a match that has nothing to say from the point of view of objectives and that the two coaches, Kompany and Wagner, will probably exploit to give space, from the start or in the course of the match, to some element that has played a little less this season. The other match that will not affect the standings is then the one between Werder Bremen already safe and Borussia Dortmund certain of second place and Champions League qualification.
Interesting, on the other hand, is Freiburg-Leipzig: the hosts are finalists in the Europa League (and thus could go to the Champions if they win the trophy), but they need to beat the red bulls, already certain of third place, to maintain seventh position and secure, in the event of a defeat against Aston Villa next Wednesday in Istanbul, at least Conference League qualification.
Fighting for fourth place, on the other hand, are Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, paired on 61 points: the VFB will meet Eintracht Frankfurt away, which, on the other hand, is one length away from seventh place; the white-and-whites, on the other hand, are engaged on the field of a Borussia Mönchengladbach already saved after a colorless season. Hoping for a turnaround, in this case in the salvation zone, Heidenheim, one of the three teams at 26 at the bottom of the table, which must, however, win at home to Mainz (with no more goals this season) to hope.
Frank Schmidt’s team is playing for salvation with St. Pauli and Wolfsburg, engaged in a desperate direct clash at the Pirates’ home: all three are level at 26, the overall goal difference being the first tiebreaker (Wolfsburg -26, Heidenheim and St. Pauli -29). At the triple whistle, the last two drop into the 2. Bundesliga, the third-last will participate in the play-off against the third from the cadet league (one between Hannover and Paderborn).
Closing the presentation of the final day are two more interesting matches: Bayer Leverkusen will play their remaining hopes of fourth place against already-saved Hamburg (however, a win and simultaneous defeats by Stuttgart and Hoffenheim are needed), while Augsburg must beat Union Berlin away to try to concretize their assault on a position that would be worth qualifying for the Conference League.
Probable lineups
BAYERN MONACO (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Bischof; Kimmich, Goretzka; Karl, Musiala, Diaz; Kane. All. Kompany.
COLONIA (3-5-2): Zieler; Schmied, Martel, Simpson-Pusey; Sebulonsen, Thielmann, Krauss, Kaminski, Castro-Montes; Bulter, El Mala. All. Wagner.
