Save The Date: Six title-defining Bundesliga matches to watch

Football is coming back. It's edging closer. Yes, it'll be behind closed doors to help control the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, but of the biggest leagues in world football, the Bundesliga is the first to make a reappearance on Saturday. With nine games to go, there is plenty to play for at the top of the table. Bayern Munich lead the way as they seek an eighth succesive title, yet just six points separate the top four as we approach the final stretch of the 2019/20 season. 

Here, we pick a handful of top of the table tussles to watch over the coming weeks that will determine whether Bayern are crowned champions once more or whether one of those hot on their heels will be able to pip the Bavarians into top spot. 

Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke (May 16th) 

Bringing the Bundesliga back with a bang, the Revierderby pits fierce rivals Borussia Dortmund and Schalke up against one another. The reverse fixture saw the pair play out a 0-0 draw at the VELTINS-Arena, while this game last season was a firecracker of a clash as Schalke all but ended Dortmund's title chances with a 4-2 win at the Westfalenstadion. Dortmund will look to apply pressure on Bayern in the title race, with Hansi Flick's side not in action until their trip to Union Berlin on Sunday, and close the gap to just one point. 

For Schalke, they'd have favoured a more forgiving return to domestic action and are now without a win in six on the road. All in all, a seven-match winless run has left their top-four push in tatters, but in a derby clash; anything is possible. Indeed, Schalke are unbeaten in their last three league visits to Dortmund, who conversely boast the best home record in the Bundesliga this season, having earned 30 of a possible 36 points. The hosts won't be able call upon the famous Yellow Wall, however, but either way this promises to be a mouthwatering clash for all Bundesliga aficionados. 

Gladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen (May 23rd) 

In the form guide, Bayer Leverkusen sit second to Bayern Munich with Peter Bosz's side kicking off 2020 with a bang. Ahead of the weekend, B04 sit just two points behind Gladbach in the race for a Champions League finish and while their respective positions in the table may change before they meet later this month, this is a must-watch clash between two of the Bundesliga's most exciting sides.

Inspired by the rejuvenated Kai Havertz, Leverkusen have been exceptional following the Winterpause, while Gladbach have the means to blow their opponents away on their day. Managed by Marco Rose, the Foals boast six statistically calculated WhoScored strengths, all of which are attack focused, so be sure to tune into what promises to be a decisive clash in the race for the top four. 

Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich (May 26th) 

Two of Germany's most successful clubs lock horns at the end of the month in Der Klassiker. Bayern Munich don't have the easiest run of games to round out the campaign, as they face three of the current top five sides before the season draws to a close. The Westfalenstadion isn't the happiest of hunting grounds for Bayern either, having won on just one of their last four visits to Dortmund. 

As German football's return looms, the Bundesliga's top two sides are separated by just four points. Plenty can change between now and May 26th, but Der Klassiker will attract huge interest, not just from fans of these two powerhouses, but around the world too given the lack of football elsewhere. The latest installment of this high profile clash is likely to be pivotal down the line. 

Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich (June 6th) 

The Bundesliga's two form teams at the time of writing, this is expected to be a crunch fixture in Bayern Munich's push for the title. This meeting comes shortly after the champions' trip to Dortmund, which may have seen them extend their lead at the top of the table or sacrifice it completely, so there is plenty riding on their visit to the BayArena. 

Bayer Leverkusen have been a thorn in Bayern's side in recent seasons, too, having won the previous two league meetings between the pair as Peter Bosz's side look to do the double over the reigning champions. Provided Bayer Leverkusen, and Havertz in particular, can maintain their sprint start to 2020, Bayern may come away from the BayArena next month with nothing to show for their efforts in a key match up so close to the end of the season. 

Bayern Munich vs Gladbach (June 13th) 

The tough games keeping coming for Bayern as we near the end of the season, this time as they gear up for the welcome of Gladbach on June 13th. The reverse fixture ended in contentious fashion as Ramy Bensebaini netted an injury time penalty to secure a vital victory in their title push. 

Gladbach's form may have tailed off prior to the Bundesliga's suspension - they have won just four of their last nine league outings - but they have the personnel to trouble Bayern on their day and this could be yet another spanner in the works for Flick's side as the season nears its conclusion. 

RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund (June 20th) 

RB Leipzig's toughest match in the final stretch comes in their welcome of Borussia Dortmund in the penultimate gameweek of the campaign. Just two wins in their last seven leave RB Leipzig in 3rd, five points off Bayern in top spot as things stand, but having faced Gladbach, Bayern, Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke across those seven matches, the run in for Julian Nagelsmann's side is favourable. 

The young head coach has worked wonders in his debut season for Die Roten Bullen. They've scored the third most goals (62) while no team has conceded fewer (26) at this time. However, Dortmund will be no pushovers as they, too, may yet be in with a shout of domestic glory and it could be that this fixture plays into Bayern's hands, who themselves host Freiburg on the same day. Even ahead of this weekend, this match feels hugely important and it's still over a month before this game kicks off at the Red Bull Arena.