BERLIN, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The battle to avoid relegation from German Bundesliga is heating up as the season reaches its climax.
With four matchdays remaining in the 2025/26 campaign, many clubs are locked in a tense struggle for survival, setting the stage for a nerve-racking weekend of fixtures.
Despite sitting in the relegation places, Wolfsburg (24 points, 17th) and St. Pauli (26 points, 16th) still have a chance to escape, while Cologne, Moenchengladbach, Hamburg (HSV), and Werder Bremen (all on 31 points) along with Union Berlin (32 points) are far from secure.
While Union and its coach Marie-Louise Eta face a delicate neighboring duel in Leipzig, Cologne finds itself ahead of the Rhine-derby against Leverkusen.
Hamburg's poor form is a major concern as it hosts a Hoffenheim side chasing a UEFA Champions League spot—a goal also shared by Leipzig and Leverkusen.
St. Pauli travels to face bottom-placed Heidenheim (19 points), while Werder Bremen has a difficult away test at Stuttgart.
VfB Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness announced the intention to pursue the Champions League hunt in the remaining league encounters after the 2025 Cup titleholder sealed its 2026 German Cup final participation against reigning league champion Bayern on May 23rd with a disputed 2-1 win against Freiburg.
Struggling Wolfsburg finds itself ahead of a duel on home soil against Moenchengladbach, which feels like a finale for the side of coach Dieter Hecking.
Despite meeting his former side, Gladbach, and possibly plunging them into trouble, the 61-year-old said to leave out memories and take "the game as what it is, a big chance for us to gain ground."
While Wolfsburg is enjoying revitalized hope after its latest win against Union (2-1) last weekend, things appear concerning for Moenchengladbach.
Having changed its coach so far hasn't paid off for the "Foals," as Eugen Polanski, the successor to Gerardo Seoane, is facing pressure. Media reports indicate he could be dismissed after the current season. ■
