Matchday 9 of the Bundesliga season features two crucial high-stakes games for position in the top four on Saturday, November 1st. Title challengers Borussia Dortmund (BVB) travel a long distance to play struggling FC Augsburg, while RB Leipzig host VfB Stuttgart in a head-to-head battle to occupy the second place in the table. We give a full preview that includes the current standings in the Bundesliga, the forms of the teams playing against each other, and a tactical tip for both high-stakes games.

• Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 9

• Date: 01st November 2025

• Match Starting Time: 7:30 AM UTC

• Location: WWK Arena, Augsburg

FC Augsburg is presently afflicted with a dismal run of form, leaving them near the relegation zone with just 7 points from 8 games, standing 15th in the current Bundesliga table. Their season thus far has been plagued by inconsistency and heavy home losses, as reflected in their current record of L-L-W-D-L across the board. Furthermore, key statistics define their defensive crisis: Augsburg have lost five out of their last seven league matches and have allowed a league-high 14 home league goals this season.

Borussia Dortmund are also well and truly in the title race, having not accumulated more than a single Bundesliga defeat this campaign (at Bayern Munich). Dortmund has 17 points after their opening 8 league matches and currently occupies 4th spot. Their current form is W-W-L-D-W over all competitions. Crucially, Dortmund have lost only once from their last 16 Bundesliga matches, a pointer to terrific form given the midweek cup commitment.

Historical Dominance: Dortmund has a great overall record in history (17 wins in 29 games).

Recent Trend: Amazingly, Augsburg last season recorded a league double over Dortmund.

Augsburg have a couple of players unavailable through injury.

Injured/Out: Elvis Rexhbecaj (injury), Jeffrey Gouweleeuw (injury).

Key Players: Alexis Claude-Maurice's comeback could prove to be a game-changer.

Dortmund do not have as many issues but will deal with the fitness of some of their important players after their midweek cup match.

Injured/Out: Emre Can (injury), Julien Duranville (injury).

Key Players: Coach Niko Kovač will want to play his big team to keep it fresh.

1. Augsburg Predicted XI (3-4-3): Dahmen; Gouweleeuw, Uduokhai, Pfeiffer; Pedersen, Rexhbecaj, Dorsch, Mbabu; Demirovic, Tietz, Vargas.

2. Dortmund Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Süle, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Özcan, Nmecha; Adeyemi, Brandt, Malen; Füllkrug.

Augsburg's Low Block vs Dortmund's Tempo: Augsburg's primary goal will be to play tight and spoil Dortmund's tempo. Dortmund will employ quick ball circulation and wide overloads to dismantle the determined defense.

The "Curse" Factor: Dortmund's motivation will be extremely high to break the trend of last season's double loss to Augsburg.

• Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 9

• Date: Saturday, November 1st, 2025

• Kick-off Time: 2:30 PM UTC

• Venue: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig

RB Leipzig sit 2nd in the standings on 19 points from 8 games, the best anyone is doing relative to Bayern Munich. They are eight games without loss in all competitions (W7, D1) and possess a 100% home record this term following six-goal demolition of Augsburg in their previous league game.

VfB Stuttgart entered this match on a superb winning streak, trailing Leipzig by just one point. They're enjoying one of their finest league beginnings in over a decade as they are now 3rd with 18 points from 8 games. Their recent form is characterized by five successive victories: W-W-W-W-W across all competitions. Stuttgart is now seeking a third consecutive Bundesliga win for the first time since April 2024.

Recent Edge: Stuttgart won the last four H2Hs in all competitions.

Goal Trend: Seven of Stuttgart's last eight Bundesliga away games have featured over 2.5 goals.

Leipzig has very few injury concerns.

Injured/Out: Max Finkgräfe (knee injury).

Key Players: Christoph Baumgartner is in top form, and Ridle Baku is a crucial playmaker.

Stuttgart lacks one or two defenders.

Doubtful: Luca Jaquez, Maximilian Mittelstädt, and Dan-Axel Zagadou (fitness tests).

Forward Deniz Undav has had six goal contributions against Leipzig across three games.

RB Leipzig Predicted XI (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Seiwald, Olmo, Forsberg; Bakayoko, Poulsen, Sesko.

VfB Stuttgart Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Nübel; Vagnoman, Anton, Ito, Mittelstädt; Karazor, Stiller; Führich, Millot, Silas; Undav.

Stuttgart's Press vs Leipzig's Transition: Stuttgart enjoy the second-most shots on target in the league. Leipzig's 100% record at home is a result of them being able to dominate the midfield and play out of trouble quickly.

Undav vs Orban/Lukeba: Functional striker Deniz Undav (Stuttgart) will test the central defensive pairing of Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba (Leipzig).

Odds taken for information purposes only.

Value Picks and Best Bets

• Augsburg v Dortmund: Augsburg's defensive crisis and Dortmund's motivation make their Win the best value.

• RB Leipzig v VfB Stuttgart: Both sides being in explosive form and recent H2H being high-scoring makes both teams scoring (BTTS) – Yes, the strongly tipped value bet.

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Augsburg is facing a full-blown crisis, with poor defense and disappointing home record. Although BVB has only cup action fatigue, their superior team power and high level of motivation to keep pace with the league table toppers should bring an easy win.

• Final Score Prediction: FC Augsburg 0 - 2 Borussia Dortmund

This is an actual battle between two of the league leaders. While Stuttgart has played beautifully, Leipzig's home record and will to stay atop the table must be worth something. This should be a thrilling match with goals going both ways, but Leipzig will take the game.

• Final Score Prediction: RB Leipzig 3 - 2 VfB Stuttgart

These Matchday 9 results are critical in the battle for Champions League qualification. A victory for Borussia Dortmund would likely position them among the top three and put pressure on the league leaders. The result of RB Leipzig vs VfB Stuttgart will directly influence the top four, as the victors solidifies themselves as the primary challenger to Bayern Munich. Both teams promise the attacking football which has become synonymous with the Bundesliga, with pivotal results to decide the table come the winter break.