The key 2018-19 Bundesliga fixtures: Hoffenheim head to Bayern first

Several heavyweight games on opening weekend

The Bundesliga fixtures are out – and the season begins with a bang, as most of the European contenders face off against one another.

Last season’s surprise package Hoffenheim will be looking to cause a stir at title-holders Bayern Munich on opening day. At the other end, Wolfsburg are bidding to get back on track after a dismal 2017-18 campaign almost ended in relegation.

The Coral News Team have all the big dates for your diary…

Opening Weekend

It all begins on Friday 24^th August, as Hoffenheim make the trip to the Allianz Arena. The last meeting produced seven goals, and it’s 21/20 for Over 3.5 Goals this time around.

There’s another eye-catching clash up in the Ruhr valley, as RB Leipzig visit Borussia Dortmund. The last meeting at Signal Iduna Park saw a 3-2 win for Leipzig, but BVB are 3/4 to get revenge with a win.

Elsewhere, Borussia Monchengladbach host Bayer Leverkusen, and VfB Stuttgart make the trip to Mainz.

And Wolfsburg have the chance to kick-start their resurgence at home to Schalke 04, with Die Wolfe 1/2 in the Double Chance market.

As for the newly-promoted pair, Fortuna Dusseldorf have a winnable game against Augsburg, whilst Nurnberg travel to the capital to face Hertha Berlin.

Derby Days

Der Klassiker has been the biggest fixture in German football in the past decade, and battle recommences between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern on 10^th November. The reverse fixture in Munich comes during the run-in – on 6^th April.

BVB’s other major grudge-match – the Revierderby – against Schalke takes place in Gelsenkirchen on 8^th December, before a potentially crucial clash at the end of April.

Niko Kovac’s Munich side meet Schalke  as early as 22^nd September. That’s before a clash in Bavaria on 9^th February – with the champions looking to continue a nine-game unbeaten home run in this fixture.

Meanwhile, in the Baden-Schwaben Derby, Stuttgart  make the trip to Freiburg on 16^th September. VfB have won five of the last six meetings, drawing the other. And the pair’s final league meeting of the season comes shortly after the Winter Break.

Final flourish

Chances are the European spots will be fought over right to the end. Last season saw just two points separate third from sixth in the Bundesliga. So Leverkusen v. Schalke on the penultimate weekend could be crucial.

If the title is still up for grabs at that point, all eyes will be on Der FCB as they make the trip to Leipzig.

Hoffenheim also have a few major fixtures in the run-in.  They do battle with Schalke and Monchengladbach in the closing weeks of the season.

At the other end, Dusseldorf fans could be feeling queasy about their run-in. Friedhelm Funkel’s charges face both Bayern and Dortmund in their final six games.

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