Match day 4 picks

Congratulations to Allan Edgar of Scotland for edging the DW pundits - who have since dropped their self-awarded title of "experts" - in last week's predictions and leveling the overall score to date at 16 points apiece. With the scores all square after three games, the pundits and the guest enter the fray once more ahead of match day four.

Follow us on Twitter (@DW_Sports) for the next chance to be picked to pick!

This week's guest guesser is Mark Lovell (@mark_TMT_sports) of Munich.

Friday, August 26

Hertha - Stuttgart

Still no victory yet for the capital club on its return to the top flight, but Hertha Berlin has at least been parsimonious in their one defeat, shipping a single goal, and keeping the goals down in its two draws since. No-one has over-run them yet which will give Markus Babbel's side a hint of confidence. The arrival of the club for which Babbel last played - and the one he coached before being axed - adds a dash of spice to a rather bland dish and may even motivate Berlin on behalf of their coach to record a first win.

DW prediction: Hertha 1-0
Guest prediction: Hertha 1-0

Saturday, August 27

Hamburg - Cologne

Forget that this is only the fourth game and join us in labeling this a relegation clash. Bottom club Cologne and 17th placed Hamburg meet in the first real basement duel with neither sides showing any sign as yet that they will escape the tractor beam of the drop zone. In all honesty, neither should be there come the end of the season – Hamburg through luck and a little skill, Cologne through their perennially employed survival instinct – but right now they're both looking dreadful. Sticking a pin in the page, we give this one to home side Hamburg.

DW prediction: Hamburg 3-1
Guest prediction: Cologne 1-0

Nuremberg – Augsburg

Nuremberg have the edge in the league over the newcomers having already tasted victory this season but Augsburg have been unlucky and proved themselves to be plucky battlers in their first two draws. However, they came unstuck at home to Hoffenheim last week in a display which exposed their shortcomings. Nuremberg have heaps of Bundesliga experience and despite what its less than glamorous name insinuates, its not a given to leave the easyCredit Stadium with a reward. Augsburg's struggles could continue.

DW prediction: Nuremberg 2-0
Guest prediction: Nuremberg 2-0

Freiburg – Wolfsburg

Last week's 4-1 mauling in Mönchengladbach must have been uncomfortable viewing for Felix Magath as his toothless Wolves again lacked bite…and cohesion…and any semblance of a clue as to what they were doing. Wolfsburg have lost their way since their opening day win in Cologne, and while losing to Bayern was unlucky, the loss to Gladbach looks like the beginning of a crisis in confidence. Luckily they face a Freiburg team in the bottom three and smarting after their own 5-3 spanking at the hands of Bremen. But the fact Freiburg scored three at Bremen should put the Wolves on alert.

DW prediction: Draw 1-1
Guest prediction: Wolfsburg 1-0

Kaiserslautern – Bayern

Bayern trounced Hamburg last week – which used to be a surprise a few years back but now seems par for the course as HSV embrace mediocrity ever more tightly by the year. That said, the 5-0 victory said more about Bayern than the woefulness of HSV. Bayern are building up a head of steam. They looked clinical last week and composed against Zurich on Tuesday. Kaiserslautern, on the other hand, already look shaky and without a win to their name as yet, look like lambs trotting to the slaughter in this one. Here's hoping it will be quick and painless, for their sake.

DW prediction: Bayern 3-0
Guest prediction: Bayern 2-0

Hoffenheim – Bremen

Last week's score line at home to Freiburg reminded the Bremen faithful of what their team can do when it applies itself. Five-goal routs (okay, they conceded three as well) are synonymous with the cavalier style Bremen is famous for. As long as they can keep the finger of the self-destruct button, it could be a good season for Werder. Hoffenheim have also started well and last week's canter to victory over Augsburg will have added a little more confidence to a team which beat Dortmund the week before. This will be a close one.

DW prediction: Hoffenheim 2-1
Guest prediction: Bremen 2-1

Leverkusen – Dortmund

Dortmund quickly got back to winning ways last week but are not currently looking as dominant as they did last season. It's still early days but this game will be a real test of their mettle. Leverkusen have an identical record to the champions with two wins and a defeat to their name and have showed more steadiness under Robin Dutt than many expected. As long as the Leverkusen defense can keep Dortmund's attack at bay – no easy task – we fancy Leverkusen to nick this one.

DW prediction: Leverkusen 1-0
Guest prediction: Dortmund 2-1

Sunday, August 28

Hanover – Mainz

Hanover looked to be suffering from a mixture of fatigue and distraction last week in stumbling to a 1-1 draw with Hertha, as if their hard work in taking down Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier only emphasized the tough task ahead in the second. Now having slain the beast, Mirko Slomka’s men will feel a weight come off their shoulders and get down to regaining their great early form in the Bundesliga. Mainz, meanwhile, are a side looking to get back on track. Thomas Tuchel's team threw away a 2-0 halftime lead to lose 4-2 at home to Schalke last week, a result likely to have caused some sleepless nights. While Mainz will have a desire to climb back up the ladder, the home side looks to have the slight advantage.

DW prediction: Hanover 2-1
Guest prediction: Draw 1-1

Schalke – Gladbach

We'll have two of whatever Gladbach's having. Far from insinuating that last season's whipping boys have been "enhancing their performances," you have to wonder what magic ingredient has been added to Gladbach this time out to take them to the top of league in such style. Whatever it is, Schalke had better beware. But saying that, the Royal Blues have also been free-scoring of late (nine goals in the last two league matches, and six against HJK Helsinki on Thursday) and look in a better frame of mind than this time last season. We predict a corker.

DW prediction: Draw 3-3
Guest prediction: Draw 2-2

Last week's results:

DW: 5 points

Guest: Allan Edgar (@BundesligaUK): 7 points

DW total for the season: 16 points

Guest total for the season: 16 points

Three points for a correct score prediction

Two points for a correct winning margin prediction

One point for a correct winner prediction

Author: Nick Amies
Editor: Matt Hermann