This preview is a bit late, but here for the record. (Yes, most of it was written before kick off, and the predictions haven't been changed!) FC Bayern München are just one win behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, and could level things up this weekend. Will they take a major step towards a seventh successive title?

As usual, I am going to be predicting the scores for all nine matches from Friday through to Monday evening. There is also the competition for this week, where you can put your own predictions in the comments section and win 1 SCR if you beat my total score.

Werder Bremen v VfB Stuttgart (Fri.)

Werder have been solid at home this season, while Stuttgart having found it hard to extricate themselves from the relegation struggle.

Florian Kohfeldt's side have to be favourites by a distance, but expect the Swabians to stretch every sinew as coach Markus Weinzierl continues his right to life his team from the danger zone - and keep his own job.

Prediction: Bremen 2:0 Stuttgart

FC Bayern München v Hertha BSC (Sat.)

Defending champions Bayern fought hard for an impressive goalless draw against Liverpool in midweek, getting their first clean sheet of the season. If they can repeat that against Hertha, it should be enough to claim all three points.

The Berliners have been inconsistent all season, but Pál Dárdai's men will think back to their 2:0 win earlier this season - as well as the fact that Bayern have not managed to beat them since 2016.

Prediction: FC Bayern 3:1 Hertha

Borussia Mönchengladbach v VfL Wolfsburg (Sat.)

Gladbach are going through a poor spell at the moment, and coach Dieter Hecking will be determined to not lose further ground on the leaders. Trust the Foals to come out fighting when they take on a much-improved Wolfsburg.

Wolfsburg have found a solidity this season, and will certainly provide a stiff task for the home side, who until their last outing had a perfect record on their own patch. It may just be a little too much to ask for Bruno Labbadia's side.

Prediction: Gladbach 2:1 Wolfsburg

SC Freiburg v FC Augsburg (Sat.)

Freiburg have defied the critics, and look a good bet to retain their place in the top flight. The same cannot be said for Augsburg, who despite some solid performances are right in the middle of a relegation dogfight.

Manuel Baum is right on the brink, and will need his players to pull everything out of the fire if they are going to upset Christian Streich's men in front of the fanatical Black Forest crowd. It could be close, but Freiburg will be clear favourites to pick up the points and shore up their position in mid-table.

Prediction: Freiburg 2:1 Augsburg

1.FSV Mainz 05 v FC Schalke 04 (Sat.)

Mainz have been inconsistent, but look good enough to settle in the middle of the table. Schalke, in stark contrast, have failed to live up their pre-season billing. Having thrown away a lead against English league leaders Manchester City in midweek, Domenico Tedesco's men will be in need of a serious pick-me-up.

The carnival city side were less than impressive last week against Wolfsburg, but should be good enough to pick up at least a point against a jaded Schalke side.

Prediction: Mainz 05 1:1 Schalke

Fortuna Düsseldorf v 1.FC Nürnberg (Sat.)

Fortuna went down by two goals in last week's Rhineland derby against Bayer Leverkusen, but expect them to bounce back in front of their home crowd against table-proppers Nürnberg.

Nürnberg let go of coach Michael Köllner after their defeat against fellow drop-candidates Hannover, but somehow successor Boris Schommers lifted his team to fight every inch for a 0:0 draw against leaders Dortmund. Could it spark a revival? The form book would suggest otherwise.

Prediction: Düsseldorf 2:0 Nürnberg

Hannover 96 v Eintracht Frankfurt (Sun.)

Hannover have found the season a major struggle, and have a mighty task in front of them if they are to avoid the drop. They play a Frankfurt side that has drawn their last Bundesliga matches, but are hot off the back of a glorious 4:1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League.

Hannover coach Thomas Doll has his work cut out, as this may be the moment that Adi Hütter's Eagles rediscover their domestic form.

Prediction: Hannover 0:2 Frankfurt

Borussia Dortmund v Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Sun.)

Not long ago, Dortmund could have move ten points clear at the top. Should results not go their way this week, they could find themselves level at the top with chasers FC Bayern. Form has dipped, and Lucien Favre's side will need to step up against an improving Bayer Leverkusen.

Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz, up against the team he coached for a short while last season, has lifted the Rhineland side. They have slowly climbed up the table to fifth place, and will fancy their chances at the Signal Iduna Park.

Prediction: Dortmund 2:1 Leverkusen

RB Leipzig v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (Mon.)

The Monday evening match sees fourth-placed Leipzig take on eighth-placed Hoffenheim, a meeting that promises plenty of goals. The Red Bulls have impressive at home this season with only one defeat, while Julian Nagelsmann's Hoffenheim are capable of beating anybody on their day.

This will be a close-run thing, but home advantage should swing it for Ralf Rangnick's men as they look to maintain their drive for a spot in next season's Champions League.

Prediction: Leipzig 2:1 Hoffenheim

For more Bundesliga fun stuff, check out my Little Bundesliga Book project. Copies of the 2016 pocket book are still available, with the aim of raising funds for a new edition at the end of this season.