Bundesliga 2020-21 Matchday 3: What you need to know

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund both look to bounce back from surprising losses on Matchday 2 as the third week of 2020-21 Bundesliga action kicks off, plus Hoffenheim hope to build off a hot start.

Here’s everything you need to know for Matchday 3.

HOW TO WATCH

Saturday, Oct. 3
• Stuttgart vs. Bayer Leverkusen, 9:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. PT (Sportsnet World)
• Borussia Dortmund vs. SC Freiburg, 9:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. PT (Sportsnet)
• RB Leipzig vs. Schalke 04, 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT

Sunday, Oct. 4
• Wolfsburg vs. Augsburg, 9:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. PT (Sportsnet World, SN NOW+)
• Bayern Munich vs. Hertha BSC, 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT (Sportsnet, Sportsnet World)

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BUNDESLIGA TABLE

MARQUEE MATCH

Hoffenheim vs. Eintracht Frankfurt

Matchday 2 in Germany’s top flight brought with it plenty of surprises, none bigger than Sebastian Hoeness’s Hoffenheim inflicting a 4-1 loss on Bayern Munich, bringing to an end the European champion’s historic 23-game winning streak. Thanks to that stunning result, Hoffenheim finds itself top of the Bundesliga early in the campaign.

Hoffenheim looks to build on that success Saturday morning against Frankfurt, who are in the crowded group, two points behind Hoffenheim and second-place Augsburg in the table. After a disappointing draw at home to newly promoted Arminia on the opening matchday, Adi Hütter’s side earned a 3-1 win at Hertha last weekend despite being out-possessed and out-shot by the home side.

A win for Hoffenheim would mean they remain atop the standings heading into the international break, but a Frankfurt victory could throw the table into more early season chaos.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Andrej Kramaric: The Bundesliga’s leading scorer with five goals in two matches, the Croatian striker has fuelled Hoffenheim to an electric start to the 2020-21 campaign. What makes Kramaric an even more intriguing figure heading into the third weekend of the season is his reported desire for a move away from Hoffenheim, with some interest coming from Bayern Munich – the team Kramaric bagged a brace against in Hoffenheim’s astonishing win last Sunday.

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REST OF MATCHDAY 3

Union Berlin vs. Mainz: Winless, second-last in the table through two matches and dealing player unrest, Mainz fired coach Achim Beierlorzer on Monday. Their first game under the guidance of Jan-Moritz Lichte is at Union Berlin.

Stuttgart vs. Bayer Leverkusen: With two draws in their opening two matches, Leverkusen will be looking for a much better result at Stuttgart after finding the back of the net just once so far in this young season.

FC Koln vs. Monchengladbach: Another top-five club in 2019-20 off to a rough start to the new season, Gladbach enter Matchday 3 with a minus-three goal differential.

Dortmund vs. SC Freiburg: It’s been a tough week for Lucien Favre’s Dortmund after losing 2-0 away at Augsburg last weekend in the league before losing the Supercup final to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Werder Bremen vs. Arminia: Uwe Neuhaus’s Arminia have gotten off to a solid start in their first season in the top flight in more than a decade – undefeated after two matches and one point ahead of the nine-time defending champions.

RB Leipzig vs. Schalke: The dreadful David Wagner era came to a merciful end last weekend when Schalke’s winless league run stretched to 18 matches. Former Augsburg manager Manuel Baum has taken over for Wagner, and will look to find that elusive win Saturday at Leipzig.

Wolfsburg vs. Augsburg: Two wins out of two, included a shock 2-0 win Dortmund last weekend with just 20 per cent possession, sees Augsburg sitting second as it heads to Wolfsburg this weekend.

Bayern Munich vs. Hertha BSC: The champions look to get back on track in the league in the final match of the weekend after Hoffenheim handed Bayern its first loss since December. A mid-week Supercup final victory over Dortmund should help Hansi Flick’s side to forget that 4-1 defeat.

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