Matchday 19: live bulletins
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lifted his season's tally to 20 goals with a brace in Borussia Dortmund's victory over FC Ingolstadt 04, while Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez also scored twice in Bayer 04 Leverkusen's routine win against Hannover 96.
Stay tuned to bundesliga.com's live updates as we bring you the reaction to another nine mouth-watering top-flight matches.
Matchday 19 results (Click on the red link to read a full match report)
Friday 29 January
1. FSV Mainz 05 1-0 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Saturday 30 January
SV Darmstadt 98 0-2 FC Schalke 04
FC Augsburg 0-0 Eintracht Frankfurt
Bayer 04 Leverkusen 3-0 Hannover 96
SV Werder Bremen 3-3 Hertha Berlin
Borussia Dortmund 2-0 FC Ingolstadt 04
VfB Stuttgart 2-1 Hamburger SV
Sunday 31 January
VfL Wolfsburg 1-1 1. FC Köln
FC Bayern München vs TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (17:30CET/16:30GMT)
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Sunday 31 January
No worries
Javi Martinez has allayed concerns over the injury which forced him to miss Bayern's clash with Hoffenheim today, saying it is not so serious.
Boateng support
The centre-half is out for the foreseeable future with a groin injury.
Bayern-Hoffenheim line-ups
Ton up for Theo
Wet and windy in Munich
Movement at Mainz
Click here for the latest ins and outs at the Coface Arena
...and it's live!
Follow Wolfsburg against Köln on Twitter here, on radio here or on the ticker here.
Gustavo returns
#WOBKOE line-ups are in
What's not to like?
Oczipka on #FCASGE
Click here for a match report from the WWK ARENA.
Green-White delight
Devotion to the Dortmund cause...
...all the way from Ulanbaatar
Man in demand
"He's just extended his contract and now he's in an interview with herthabsc.de," tweet Hertha, with a snap of John Anthony Brooks looking rather relaxed.
Brooks extends contract at Hertha
"Signed! John Anthony Brooks is staying at Hertha until 2019," Michael Preetz, Hertha sporting director, has confirmed.
"Yes! We're looking forward to several more years with John Anthony Brooks in a blue-and-white shirt"
"Perfect - done deal," says Pal Dardai, Hertha coach.
Backwards day at Dortmund
#WOBKOE on TV
Homegrown heroes
Max Meyer and Leroy Sane scored Schalke's goals in a 2-0 victory at Darmstadt yesterday.
Click here for the reaction from the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor
Plenty of memories
The 3-3 against Hoffenheim in March 2014 was entertaining! More of the same today, please?
Herzlich Willkommen!
Hello and welcome back to another day full of news and reaction from Germany's top division, as Wolfsburg aim to boost their hopes of a top-four finish at home to Köln while defending champions Bayern München entertain Hoffenheim in Matchday 19's final encounter.
Saturday 30 January
Amazing job!
In Saturday's late game, VfB Stuttgart made it three wins on the spin with a 2-1 success against Hamburger SV. Artem Kravets scored a late winner at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, much to the delight of Emiliano Insua...
Confirmed line-ups
Mexico international Marco Fabian makes his full Bundesliga debut for Frankfurt in Augsburg.
As expected, Dortmund are without Marco Reus and Ilkay Gündogan. Matthias Ginter and Adrian Ramos come in.
Change of scenery
Schalke are used to crowds of almost 63,000 at the VELTINS Arena, but there'll just be 16,500 supporters inside Darmstadt's inimitable Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor today.
Frankfurt's danger man
After netting a hat-trick in last weekend's 3-2 win over Wolfsburg, it is no wonder Augsburg head coach and midfielder Markus Feulner are so wary of Eintracht Frankfurt goal machine Alexander Meier.
Schalke test
"The Lilies have arrived. Relaxed atmosphere, but focussed on #D98S04 all the same," reads this tweet on Darmstadt's official Twitter channel.
Saturday night's alright
VfB Stuttgart and Hamburger SV are tonight's headliners. Hosts Stuttgart are unbeaten in their last four, while HSV will be looking to build on the positives of last Friday's narrow defeat to FC Bayern. The game is to be broadcast live on Fox Sports.
Germany's tennis ace
FC Bayern quoting American punk rocker Andrew W.K. following Angelique Kerber's Australian Open final triumph over Serena Williams in Melbourne: "Bayern congratulate you on this incredible win. Party hard!"
Big day in Bremen
Werder Bremen served up the shock of the weekend on Matchday 18 by beating Schake in their own back yard, but can they repeat the trick at home to a Hertha Berlin side unbeaten in their last four matches? Austria international midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic certainly thinks so, even if the Green-Whites have won only once at the Weser Stadium in the Bundesliga this season.
Rafinha boost
FC Bayern can once again call on the services of Brazilian full-back Rafinha. The 30-year-old sat out last Friday's win at Hamburg with a knee injury, but is available for tomorrow's clash with Hoffenheim.
Dortmund doubts
Speaking of BVB, influential duo Marco Reus and Ilkay Gündogan are unlikely to feature against Ingolstadt due to a minor infection. Both were in scintillating form last weekend, each notching a goal and assist in the 3-1 win at Gladbach. Left-back Marcel Schmelzer is also a doubt owing to a neck muscle strain.
Black-yellow masses
If Borussia Dortmund are your cup of tea, here's a look at where you can watch Die Schwarz-Gelben in action against Ingolstadt this afternoon. Victory would move Thomas Tuchel's charges to within five points of leaders FC Bayern, who host Hoffenheim tomorrow.
Mexican spice
Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez will be out to open his account for 2016 when Leverkusen entertain rock-bottom Hannover this afternoon. The Mexico international has proved an instant hit since joining the Bundesliga's all-star cast in the summer, his 11-goal haul setting quite the example for fellow countryman Marco Fabian of Frankfurt fame. The fleet-flooted playmaker registered an assist on his debut as the Eagles edged out Wolfsburg last weekend and will almost certainly see more game time against Augsburg later today.
Belhanda debut?
Welcome back one and all. After Mainz sneaked a 1-0 win over Gladbach last night, it's over to the likes of Schalke and Leverkusen in the race for the coveted top-four spots. The Royal Blues take on promoted Darmstadt this afternoon, determined to bounce back from last weekend's 3-1 home defeat to Bremen and with winter loan signing Younes Belhanda itching to start after featuring as a substitute on Matchday 18.
Friday 29 January
Bis morgen!
So that brings an end to our live bulletins for today. We will return in the morning with more reaction to Mainz's win and build-up to the rest of the weekend's action. Until then, bis morgen!
Victory for Mainz
After a hard-fought encounter, it was the home side that ended up 1-0 winners on Friday thanks to Christian Clemens' early goal. While Mainz have their first win of the year, the Foals are struggling, having lost five pf their last six in the league. Curiously they have also now gone six Friday matches without even scoring a goal. Deary me.
Line-ups
Here's how the teams will start at the Coface Arena this evening:
Gladbach beware
Mainz attacker Yunus Malli seems to have a knack of scoring on Fridays...
The stage is set
The lights are on and kick-off is just a matter of minutes away now...
Gladbach contingent on site
There's still a little while to go yet until this evening's fixture kicks-off, but the Gladbach fan truck is already in place outside the Coface Arena, packed full of Foals merchandise to help the away supporters cheer their side on.
Bayern boost
Not that FC Bayern ever need a helping hand, but their chances of progressing to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals have been improved even further after news that their opponents in the Round of 16, Juventus FC, will be without former Bayern striker Mario Mandzukic due to injury.
Good news for Schalke
Royal Blues duo Marco Höger and Matija Nastasic have been getting their sweat on as they edge closer to their comebacks from injuries:
The Coface Arena
Take a closer look around Mainz's stadium, where the Matchday 19 opener against Borussia Mönchengladbach will be staged later this evening:
Bernat happy
The 22-year-old Spaniard was delighted to be back in full training with the rest of his Bayern team-mates after several weeks out with muscular complaints.
Never miss a kick
Flight mode
Frequent fliers take note: you can now watch the Bundesliga while cruising above the clouds:
Bremen preparing for Hertha
Bayern boost
Pep Guardiola could see the return of key players in the very near future.
Meanwhile in Munich
Mario Götze appears to be working very hard on getting back to peak fitness.
Tuchel's turn
Here are Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel's thoughts:
Tuchel: "I see it as a duty towards out fans to attack - those in yellow should be playing towards the goal."
Bürki begins
First in the Dortmund hotseat at the press conference is Swiss custodian Roman Bürki
Coming up
Bayern and Dortmund press conferences are imminent, so don't go away!
Hoffenheim press conference
Huub Stevens has been looking ahead to his side's daunting trip to Munich on Sunday. This is what the Dutchman had to say....
...on his side's injuries:
Pirmin Schwegler and Eugen Polanski are definitely out, while there is still a question mark over Tarik Elyounoussi. He was, however, able to train with the team fully today for the first time. We will start with 11 players, though, and we want to play to our strengths even in Munich.
...on facing the league leaders:
I personally have always loved playing against these top clubs. Our previous results against Bayern are not important. It's just about the present. Our players have trained well this week and we'll see on Sunday if it is enough to get something.
...on his side's chances:
Compared to our game against Leverkusen [last weekend], we have just got to take the chances we get better. This game starts at 0-0 like any other, and you play against Bayern twice a season, so it is just a normal game against a side who are the favourites to win titles in Germany.
...on Bayern being without Boateng:
I don't think the absence of Jerome Boateng is going to change Bayern's game. They've got a good replacement in Javi Martinez.
Veh's reply
Here is what Frankfurt coach Armin Veh had to say at his pre-match press conference:
News from Augsburg
The Bavarians host Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, and here is what coach Markus Weinzierl has to say on that fixture:
Summary from Leverkusen
Here are the main things Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt had to say...
...on the coming fixtures:
We've now got three home games in a row, and we want to keep all the points here in each one of them. We are favourites at home, but Hannover will be giving it all they have got to move away from the bottom.
...on the injury situation:
Roberto Hilbert and Sebastian Boenisch are both available again, but Jonathan Tah, Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Tin Jedvaj have not yet been able to train with the team this week.
And here is Die Werkself's plan for the rest of the day (although we are pretty sure none of the players will actually be driving a tractor...)
Stöger and Hecking
Here are a few things that 1. FC Köln coach Peter Stöger and his VfL Wolfsburg counterpart Dieter Hecking have been saying today. They meet in Wolfsburg on Sunday.
Chit chat
There are several press conferences currently underway, so stick with us as we bring you tweets and text from around Germany,,,,
Leverkusen v Hannover
We will bring you a summary of what Bayer Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt had to say at his press conference prior to Saturday's clash with Hannover 96, but here is just a snippet which brought a reply from their opponents:
'We are favourites, but Hannover will be giving it everything to get away from the bottom', said Schmidt, to which Hannover replied: 'We can sign for that!'
Matchday 2 flashback
Remember what happened the last time Bayern München played Hoffenheim? Hint: Kevin Volland was involved...
Brazilian legend
Two of the Bundesliga's longest-serving Brazilian stars, Rafinha and Dante, have taken to Twitter to wish legendary striker Romario a happy 50th birthday. Sure they won't be the last to do so today...
Hectic schedule?
Here's what Bayer Leverkusen are up to today (not quite sure what the tractor is supposed to denote, I must admit...). One thing we do know, though, is that head coach Roger Schmidt will be addressing the media ahead of Die Werkself's game against Hannover at 12:00CET today.
Dream come true
VfL Wolfsburg have agreed a cooperation with Nigeria's Ultimate Strikers Academy, which will give talented individuals from the elite soccer school an opportunity to train with the Wolfsburg U23 side as well as the first team for a limited period of time. 17-year-old Victor Osimhen will become the first player to pay the Wolves a visit on 1 January 2017.
Bundesliga classic
Ahead of Saturday's clash between Stuttgart and Hamburg - which is being broadcast live on FOX Sports - we take a look inside the Swabians' iconic Mercedes-Benz Arena:
Home comforts
Can VfL Wolfsburg atone for their 3-2 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt with three points against 1. FC Köln? The Wolves boast the worst away record in the Bundesliga this season and will no doubt be glad to take to the field in front of their own fans on Sunday...
Final preparations
Schalke are looking to make up for Matchday 18's surprise defeat to Bremen with victory at Darmstadt on Saturday. Japan international Atsuto Uchida (pictured below) will play no part in the contest at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor, but he's clearly working hard on his fitness...
Comings and goings
There was plenty of transfer activity in Bremen yesterday, including Felix Kroos' loan move to Bundesliga 2 outfit Union Berlin (see below). The northern giants also brought in two new players in goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel and Mali international Sambou Yatabare.
Revenge on the cards?
Quite aside from wanting to secure their first league victory of 2016, Mönchengladbach have a score to settle with Mainz. The Foals were beaten 2-1 by Martin Schmidt's side in their opening home game of the season - their second league loss in a run of five straight defeats which ended up costing Lucien Favre his job. To find out what else happened in the corresponding fixtures back on Matchday 2, why not check out our #BLRewind page?
Guten Morgen!
Welcome back everyone. Plenty more Matchday 19 build-up to look forward to today, with Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel due to address the media ahead of their teams' first home game of the calendar year. There's also the small matter of the Matchday 19 opener between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Mönchengladbach to look forward to! Stick around.
Thursday 28 January
Over and out
That concludes our rolling bulletins for today, thanks very much for joining us. Make sure you join us bright and early tomorrow for your fill of all the Matchday 19 build-up ahead of the opening fixture between Mainz and Gladbach in the evening. Good night!
Hungry for success
Leverkusen are evidently hoping top scorer Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez will produce the goods on Saturday.
Bürki ready
After Borussia Dortmund beat FC Ingolstadt 4-0 on Matchday 2, it's no wonder BVB goalkeeper goalkeeper Roman Bürki can't wait for this weekend's encounter...
Excitement building
Müller's pranks
Allianz Milestone
Click here for an exclusive video tour of the home of Bayern
A Stark choice
Birthday Brooks!
Many happy returns of the day to Hertha Berlin's waylaid centre-back John Anthony Brooks, who turns 23 today. Gute Besserung, John!
Carnival spirit
Keep an eye out for this colourful number from Mainz at the Coface Arena on Friday. Die Nullfünfer, who lost 1-0 to FC Ingolstadt 04 on Matchday 18, host Champions League-chasing Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Darmstadt's final training before #D98S04
Gladbach en route to Mainz
Dardai wary
Hertha Berlin head coach Pal Dardai ahead of the trip to the Weser Stadium: "Werder will be confident after winning their first game back and they'll want to win this one. But so do we!"
'We're lucky to have Pizarro!'
Werder Bremen head coach Viktor Skripnik and sporting director Thomas Eichin have been speaking ahead of their side's clash with Hertha this weekend. Eichin was fulsome in his praise of veteran striker Claudio Pizarro, who netted in Werder's impressive 3-1 victory at FC Schalke 04 on Matchday 18. Here's what they both had to say...
Shoot! With Marco Sailer
Find out how SV Darmstadt's bearded wonder handled 11 quick-fire questions!
You can see more videos in the Shoot! series here.
Number crunching in Augsburg
Improving FC Augsburg welcome Marco Fabian's Eintracht Frankfurt to the WWK Arena on Saturday.
Throwback Thursday
Holger Badstuber has been through a lot since lifting his first Bundesliga title nearly six years ago. Bayern secured a league and cup double, but were beaten in the Champions League final by Internazionale.
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