9 RBL wins in 17 games against FCA | FCA picked up most cards in the league | Dramatic RBL comeback in the game earlier in the season| Kick-off at 15:30 CEST at the Red Bull Arena

Tuesday evening, around 18:00 CEST, will see 1. FSV Mainz 05 kick off preparations on their 17th Bundesliga season, the 14th in a row. The first training session will take place at the Bruchwegstadion, and fans will be able to enter free of charge.

Union used the opportunity to go head-to-head with an in-form, promoted side on Saturday. Urs Fischer’s team started brightly at Magdeburg with two goals in eight minutes. Levin Öztunali’s cross in the first minute was headed in by Andreas Voglsammer before Kevin Behrens ruthlessly punished Christian Titz’s team for some sloppy build-up play. Baris Atik missed a penalty kick before one of his dangerous crosses took a deflection off Paul Seguin, beating Frederik Rönnow. Keita Endo came off the bench to score a third in the second half, while Tim Skarke opened his Union account following his transfer from Darmstadt.

There are still two matchdays left before the season reaches the halfway point, but the winter break is nevertheless a good time to take a comparative look at some statistics from the season. One thing can be said from a VfL point of view: when it comes to running in particular, Niko Kovac’s men boast strong numbers.

Newcastle legend Shearer has liked what he has seen so far but remains realistic when it comes to their top four chances this season.

Boris Rupert reporting from London

Plea absent from training, Kramer and Borges Sanches return The Foals began preparations for Sunday’s home...

Werder lost 2-1 at home to Hoffenheim on Sunday evening. Werder overcame a slow start and began to grow into the game, combining well down the right flank. The final 15 minutes of the first half was a real purple patch for SVW, Ducksch had several chances to give us the lead, but was denied by Baumann. Hoffenheim then scored twice in quick succession after the break with goals from Kramarić (50′) and Baumgartner (52′). Werder only found the net towards the end through substitute Pieper (76’), and there were cheers at the wohninvest WESERSTADION as the referee awarded a penalty in the last minute to Werder, but those cheers were silenced following a VAR check which found an offside in the build-up. 

What a selfless decision! VfL fan Marlon was stood on the Ostkurve during the home game...

FC Augsburg will be without Ermedin Demirović for three league matches because of “serious foul play”. The Bosnia-Herzegovina international was shown a red card by referee Daniel Schlager in the 1-1 draw against FC Schalke 04 after accidentally catching his opponent in the face with a high boot.