The international week is over, and the Bundesliga is back! We are now into week eight, just short of a quarter of the way into the season. Borussia Dortmund are the current pacesetters, though reigning champions FC Bayern München will be looking to end their slump and rediscover their form.

Two weeks ago, it was not too bad from a predictions point of view. This was in spite of there being some major surprises, the biggest of which was FC Bayern's 0:3 home defeat against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

So, let us have a look at this week's nine fixtures in Germany...

Eintracht Frankfurt v Fortuna Düsseldorf (Fri.)

Frankfurt are one of the form teams at the moment, and having made a poor start have climbed up to seventh place. Düsseldorf meanwhile have slid in the opposite direction after a promising beginning, and Friedhelm Funkel's side are now sitting in the relegation zone.

On paper and form, this should be an easy one to call. Frankfurt to take the win, and to win well.

Prediction: Frankfurt 3:0 Düsseldorf

Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Hannover 96 (Sat.)

After a stuttering start, Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last three matches, but are still yet to really impress. Heiko Herrlich's side are up against a Hannover team that finally managed to get their first win of the season in week seven.

Hannover coach André Breitenreiter will be looking to maintain momentum, but home advantage should be enough to provide Leverkusen with their third win of the season.

Prediction: Leverkusen 3:1 Hannover

VfB Stuttgart v Borussia Dortmund (Sat.)

This is a top versus bottom clash, with struggling Stuttgart taking on the in-form leaders Dortmund. Stuttgart were the first team to sack their coach this season, and Tayfun Korkut's replacement Markus Weinzierl will have his work cut out in his first game back as a Bundesliga coach.

Lucien Favre's Dortmund have been scoring plenty of goals this season, and they will surely have no mercy on Stuttgart and their new Trainer.

Prediction: Stuttgart 0:3 Dortmund

FC Augsburg v RB Leipzig (Sat.)

This is one of the tougher games to call, with both teams having produced unpredictable results so far. Augsburg are a tough nut to crack at home, and pushed leaders Dortmund all the way in week seven. Ralf Rangick's Leipzig meanwhile look to be gathering steam, climbing to second place after an indifferent start.

There will be goals, but Manuel Baum's FCA will be strong enough to take at least a point.

Prediction: Augsburg 2:2 Leipzig

VfL Wolfsburg v FC Bayern München (Sat.)

At the start of the season, predicting this one would have been a no-brainer. But with Bayern's poor form, anything is possible. The Bavarians have gone three league games without a win, and ninth-placed Wolfsburg will be fancying their chances in front of their own fans at the VW Arena.

Bruno Labbadia's Wolves will go into this game with more hope than usual, but this will be the week that Niko Kovač's side finally break the spell. It may not be pretty, but Bayern will get the result they need.

Prediction: Wolfsburg 1:2 FC Bayern

1.FC Nürnberg v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (Sat.)

Nürnberg have been dreadful on the road, shipping thirteen goals in their last two matches away from home. At the Max-Morlock-Arena however, it has been a different story. Michael Köllner's side have collected seven points out of nine on their own turf, and are up against a Hoffenheim team that are struggling to find form.

Julian Nagelsmann's Hoffe are capable of bursting into life at any moment, but they will struggle to break down Der Club. A point for each.

Prediction: Nürnberg 1:1 Hoffenheim

FC Schalke 04 v Werder Bremen (Sat.)

Things look to be getting back on track for Schalke with two wins following their five-game losing start, while Werder Bremen are in solid form. This is arguably one of the matches of the weekend, and is a pretty tough one to predict. Domenico Tedesco's side have home advantage, but Florian Kohfeldt's Werder have only been beaten once this season.

Both teams will be hungry to take all three points, but there will be nothing to separate them. Expect an exciting encounter, with a possible last-gasp equaliser.

Prediction: Schalke 2:2 Bremen

Hertha BSC v SC Freiburg (Sun.)

The Sunday afternoon fixture sees high-flying Hertha against a Freiburg team that after a poor start are sitting safely in mid-table. The Berliners have won all three of their matches at home this season, and will surely be hot favourites to extend that record to a perfect four from four.

Christian Streich's Freiburg continue to punch above their weight and will get on the score sheet, but will not have enough to threaten Pál Dárdai's side.

Prediction: Hertha BSC 3:1 Freiburg

Borussia Mönchengladbach v 1. FSV Mainz 05 (Sun.)

This is intriguing match-up, putting in-form Gladbach against the tightest defence in the league. Dieter Hecking's side are three from three at home and Mainz are yet to win on the road, but Sandro Schwarz's men have kept things tight at back. In their first seven games, they have conceded just four goals.

The downside for Mainz is that they have only scored four times, while die Fohlen are high on confidence after their three-goal win in Munich. Something has to give: Gladbach to win by two.

Prediction: Gladbach 2:0 Mainz

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.