The international break is finally over, meaning that fans eager to see their favorite teams and players in action can look forward to doing so. Bundesliga matchday eight kicks off with a clash featuring Hoffenheim and Köln, but arguably the match of this round will be an intriguing tie featuring Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.
Here's all you need to know ahead of matchday eight.
Bundesliga standings heading into matchday eight
Bundesliga games you won't want to miss on matchday eight
Dormund vs Mainz: Mainz started off decently enough, but now are in a slump, with just one point from their last three games. Will die Schwarzgelben, who have lost just one of their last five games, be able to take advantage of this to close the gap? Ahead of Marco Rose's side are Leverkusen and Bayern, with one - or both - teams set to drop points in this upcoming round, meaning that Dortmund, who sit one point behind, could break into the top two. They'll hope that Erling Haaland will be fit to feature, after the big Norwegian has missed the last couple of matches due to injury.
Freiburg vs RB Leipzig: After a wobbly start, Leipzig have seemingly finally turned a corner, but Jesse Marsch's men may face a stern test in their upcoming match. Freiburg are having their best ever start to a season in club history, and will come into this tie sitting in a very impressive fourth place. In addition, Christian Streich's troops are presently the only team who have yet to lose a game this season.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich: This arguably will be the game not to miss! For starters, both Leverkusen and Bayern are tied on points, meaning that die Werkself, who have been in fantastic form all season, could dislodge the Bavarian titans from top spot if things go their way. It won't be easy, that's for sure, as last season, it was Bayern who ended Leverkusen's 12 game unbeaten streak in the league with, not surprisingly, Robert Lewandowski being the protagonist as die Roten came from behind to secure all three points. That result also knocked die Werkself out of top spot, and as we all know, the rest is history as Bayern, as many had expected, won the league title for the ninth consecutive season.
However, this time around, Leverkusen have a rising starlet in their mix, with teenager Florian Wirtz getting all sorts of plaudits for his showings for the team. What role will he be able to play in this highly-anticipated clash?
Team news for matchday eight
Here's who's out or in doubt for matchday eight
*All info as of 15 October 2021
Bayern Munich: Benjamin Pavard (suspended), Sven Ulreich (knee injury); Doubtful - Kingsley Coman (match fitness)
Borussia Dortmund: Soumaïla Coulibaly (knee injury), Mahmoud Dahoud (knee injury), Raphaël Guerreiro (muscular issues), Mateu Morey (knee injury), Dan-Axel Zagadou (knee), Youssoufa Moukoko (muscular problems) ; Doubtful - Marcel Schmelzer (knee injury), Gio Reyna (thigh injury), Thomas Meunier (toe injury)
Wolfsburg: Bartosz Bialek (knee injury), Paulo Otavio (ankle injury), Xaver Schlager (knee injury), William (knee injury); Yannick Gerhardt (foot injury), Maxence Lacroix (suspended); Doubtful - Admir Mehmedi (muscular problems)
RB Leipzig: Marcelo Saracchi (knee injury), Brian Brobbey (thigh injury), Marcel Halstenberg (ankle injury); Doubtful - Dani Olmo (thigh injury), Josep Martinez (flu)
Borussia Moenchengladbach: Ramy Bensebaini (foot injury), Mamadou Doucoure (Achilles' tendon injury), Stefan Lainer (ankle injury), Marcus Thuram (knee injury), Christoph Kramer (thigh injury)
Bayer Leverkusen: Robert Andrich (suspended), Julian Baumgartlinger (knee injury), Timothy Fosu-Mensah (knee injury), Edmond Tapsoba (ankle injury)
