Bayern Munich hopes to take another step towards the Bundesliga title this weekend, but preparations for Sunday's trip to Freiburg were marred by a training ground clash between Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski.
Hummels and Lewandowski clashed during a training session on Wednesday, but Bayern will look to brighten the mood by extending its colossal 19-point lead at the top of the table this weekend.
Top-four contenders RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund also clash this weekend, in a crucial a six-pointer in the race for the Champions League spots.
Elsewhere, Kevin-Prince Boateng returns to action for Eintracht Frankfurt, while Hamburg faces former goalkeeper Rene Adler as it continues its desperate bid to avoid relegation against Mainz.
Here are five things to look out for in this weekend's Bundesliga action:
Handbags at Bayern
Bayern Munich will hope that Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski have buried the hatchet by the time they face Freiburg on Sunday. The two players clashed on Wednesday, with Hummels reportedly criticising Lewandowski's attitude before telling him to "shut your mouth".
The argument comes amid a wave of media speculation this week that Lewandowski may be angling for a move away from Bayern. Bayern will face Freiburg without Kingsley Coman, who underwent ankle surgery this week and is set to be out of action for several weeks.
Mental test for Leipzig, Dortmund
Both RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund are struggling with psychological issues ahead of their crucial top-six clash on Saturday. Leipzig's Yussuf Poulsen told Bild newspaper that his team had "a mentality problem" after last week's shock defeat to Cologne. Dortmund coach Peter Stoeger had equally harsh words for his team after Monday's 1-1 draw with Augsburg. "We showed no passion," said Stoeger. "I didn't get the feeling that everyone was giving everything to win the game."
RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund: The new headline fixture in Bundesliga
Dortmund is currently in second, but only three points ahead of sixth-placed Leipzig.
Boateng is back
Kevin-Prince Boateng will return to action on Saturday as Eintracht Frankfurt hosts Hanover.
Boateng missed out on last week's defeat to Stuttgart due to suspension, after having fired Frankfurt to victory over Leipzig the week before. One of the surprises of the season, Frankfurt is currently in fourth, just a point ahead of Bayer Leverkusen. Against Hanover, it will once again be without Omar Mascarell, who has missed the last fortnight with a foot injury.
Muscle misery for Gladbach
Borussia Moenchengladbach's European hopes are on the brink of collapse as its injury woes continue ahead of Friday's clash with Werder Bremen.
With just one win in its last five games, Gladbach is four points behind the Europa League spots, and is also missing nine players, six of them through muscle injuries.
Youngsters Laszlo Benes and Mamadou Doucoure were the latest to suffer muscle injuries this week, joining the likes of Raffael, Oscar Wendt and Ibrahima Traore on the treatment table.
Adler out to hurt Hamburg
Mainz goalkeeper Rene Adler could land a cruel blow to former club Hamburg on his return to Bundesliga action this Saturday.
Adler hopes to make his first league appearance since October after returning to training this week, in what is a crucial relegation six-pointer.
Second from bottom, Hamburg is just one place but a full seven points behind Mainz ahead of Saturday's clash.
It is a must-win game for Hamburg as its hopes of staying in the Bundesliga for a 56th consecutive season fade.
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