As another three days of European competition draws to a close, it is time to get ready for match day nine in Bundesliga. We are now a quarter of way into the season, and Borussia Dortmund are setting the pace. Lucien Favre's side are two points in front of both Borussia Mönchengladbach and Werder Bremen, with defending champions FC Bayern München a further point back in fourth.

Last week was not bad from a predictions point of view, and there are just as many interesting match-ups this week. The match of the weekend pits leaders Dortmund against-place Hertha BSC, while FC Bayern will be looking to continue on the recovery trail in Mainz.

As usual, I am going to be predicting the scores. There is also the new competition, which will be on another page. There, you can put your own predictions in the comments section and win 1 SCR if you beat me.

For a look at the rules, which work exactly like Kicktipp, have a look here: https://scorum.com/en-us/football/@fussballchef/bundesliga-predictions-challenge-beat-me-and-win-scr

SC Freiburg v Borussia Mönchengladbach (Fri.)

Gladbach are in top form, and with seven goals in the last couple of matches they will be hot favourites to walk away with the points in Frankfurt. Dieter Hecking's side broke a long winless spell on the in Munich - of all places - and are scoring for fun at the moment.

Not much will be expected of Freiburg, but we were saying much the same last week before they messed up Hertha Berlin's 100% home record. Don't rule out a shock, but I think Die Fohlen will take this by two.

Prediction: Freiburg 0:2 Gladbach

Borussia Dortmund v Hertha BSC (Sat.)

One of the matches of the weekend, which sees the German league leaders take on the solid and surprisingly effective Hertha BSC. Having battered Atlético Madrid in midweek, coach Lucien Favre will be hoping for more goals.

Dortmund have the form and the personnel, but Pál Dárdai's Hertha have shown this season that they are a hard team to beat. The Berliners will make it tough, but Dortmund will take this by two at least.

Prediction: Dortmund 2:0 Hertha

Hannover 96 v FC Augsburg (Sat.)

Hannover are fighting to get out of the relegation zone, while Augsburg are a bunch of scrappers. The Lower Saxon side earned a much-needed point in Leverkusen last week, while the Bavarians drew a blank against Bayer Leverkusen.

André Breitenreiter's men have had just the one win this season, and that was against fellow strugglers Stuttgart. Augsburg meanwhile almost pulled off a coup in Dortmund, and have been a little unlucky in a number of close matches. It will be tight, but Manuel Baum's FCA will take this one.

Prediction: Hannover 1:2 Augsburg

1.FSV Mainz 05 v FC Bayern München (Sat.)

Two weeks ago, this might have been a dodgy one to call. Mainz had the tightest defence in the league, and Bayern were looking forlorn. Last week, the Bavarians ended their barren spell, and Sandro Schwarz's Mainz were giving a four-goal pasting by Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Bayern were far from pretty to watch in midweek against AEK Athens, but showed a solidity that had been lacking in recent weeks. Even though they are not at their best, Niko Kovač's side should have far too much for the 05s.

Prediction: Mainz 0:2 FC Bayern

Fortuna Düsseldorf v VfL Wolfsburg (Sat.)

This is a strange one. Fortuna Düsseldorf are struggling, but have shown patches of good form. Wolfsburg started well with two wins from two, but have failed to win since. It makes for an exciting and unpredictable encounter.

Friedhelm Funkel's men will be looking to bounce back after their 1:7 mauling in Frankfurt, while the Wolves will be looking to maintain their mid-table position. There is little to separate the two teams, but there will be goals.

Prediction: Düsseldorf 2:2 Wolfsburg

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim v VfB Stuttgart (Sat.)

Hoffenheim have been one of the most inconsistent teams in Germany this season. They have shown flashes of brilliance, along with a defensive frailty that has cost them dearly, particularly in the Champions League. Julian Nagelsmann's side were touted for great things, but things have not quite worked out.

For local rivals Stuttgart, the story is even worse. Tayfun Korkut has gone, and his successor Markus Weinzierl would get off to an horrific start against Dortmund. Inconsistent or not, this should be a easy ride for the Hoff.

Prediction: Hoffenheim 3:1 Stuttgart

1.FC Nürnberg v Eintracht Frankfurt (Sun.)

Nürnberg started brightly, but have fallen away badly. Their one saving grace had been decent home form, but that came to an end last week against Hoffenheim. In Frankfurt, Michael Köllner's side are playing one of the form terms in the Bundesliga at the moment.

Eagles' coach Adi Hütter had a nightmare start, but things have got better and better since then. The commerce city team scored seven last week, and are flying high in the Europa League too. This will be easy for Die Adler.

Prediction: Nürnberg 0:2 Frankfurt

RB Leipzig v FC Schalke 04 (Sun.)

Leipzig had a poor start to the campaign, and bar a couple of jitters have slowly started to come to the boil. Schalke meanwhile looked like they were starting to recover after their five-loss start, but a lame showing last week has put coach Domenico Tedesco right back in the firing line.

Leipzig have the better form, and home advantage should be enough to see them take all three points. After last week, it will take something for me to back Schalke anyway. Every time I have them down for a win, they do a disappearing act.

Prediction: Leipzig 2:0 Schalke

Werder Bremen v Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Sun.)

The Sunday evening game pits third-placed Werder against one of the most disappointing teams in the league. While Florian Kohfeldt's team have surpassed expectations, Bayer coach Heiko Herrlich is surely flirting with disaster. Last week, it needed an intercession from the players to calm down an angry home crowd.

The Green-Whites are unbeaten at home this season, and I expect that to continue. Though it will be close.

Prediction: Bremen 2:1 Leverkusen

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.