The DFB Cup second round draw on Sunday pitted VfB Stuttgart at home to 1. FC Union Berlin.

“For the fans and members of 1. FC Union Berlin, it’s all about pure football. We share this enthusiasm – passion is also a top priority for bwin. That’s why we are delighted to be able to continue our proven partnership. Together, we want to continue offering fans real added value and passionate experiences around football,” explains Stephan Heilmann, Managing Director Digital Europe at bwin.

The Wolves visit in-form VfB Stuttgart at 15:30 CEST on Saturday. Having only maintained their top-flight status last season with victory in the relegation play-off, Sebastian Hoeneß’s team are second in the table after six matchdays with 15 points so far – three ahead of Niko Kovac’s charges.

However, the embarrassing defeat to Liverpool has ended such talk with the Premier League title seemingly out of reach.

The scenario: The U23s spurned their first match point last week. By drawing 1-1 away to Viktoria Cologne in the last round, the Black & Yellows missed out on sealing their survival prematurely but were very close. Coach Jan Zimmermann’s team went into Matchday 36 with a six-point lead over 17th-placed VfB Oldenburg, who won 3-1 in Mannheim. That meant Dortmund had another opportunity to seal their place in the division at Erzgebirge Aue. A point would be enough to achieve it. A win in the 3. Liga’s final Monday match for the game being would even see the U23s leapfrog their table neighbours, who had only two points more on the board. The Black & Yellows lost the reverse fixture against the Violets 1-0.

Reitz added to the Germany U21 squad Rocco Reitz has been added to the Germany U21...

SV Werder Bremen welcome TSG Hoffenheim to the wohninvest WESERSTADION on Saturday, 7th October (18:30 CEST). The Green-Whites will be hoping for a win in front of their own fans and to keep their winning streak at home going after last week’s disappointing defeat in Darmstadt. A result in Saturday’s game would be their third win in a row at home following victories over Mainz and Köln.

FCA head coach Enrico Maaßen made one change to the side that began the 2-1 victory against Mainz 05. Arne Engels, who missed out through suspension, was replaced by Tim Breithaupt, as the 21-year-old midfielder made his first Bundesliga start. 

Eligible for both Germany and Austria, the 17-year-old has been heavily courted by Austria manager/influencer Ralf Rangnick, but the youngster is going to take his time with such an important decision.

The Freiburg coaching staff had to make some changes from the 2-1 UEFA Europa League defeat to West Ham United. Chicco Höfler served the final match of his suspension following a red card, while Matthias Ginter missed out at short notice due to illness. Merlin Röhl started in defensive midfield alongside Maximilian Eggestein, while Manuel Gulde joined Philipp Lienhart in central defence. Ritsu Doan returned to the starting XI, with Junior Adamu starting on the bench. The match came too early for the recently injured Michael Gregoritsch and Yannik Keitel.