With the season entering its final few months, those hoping to grab a European spot are jostling for position behind the division leaders. bundesliga.com assesses the chances of all concerned, as the likes of Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt plot a course for the continent next season…
How does European qualification work?
Eintracht Frankfurt
Position: 3rd
Points: 51 (29 games)
Goals: 58-42 (+16)
Last 5 results:
Remaining 5 matches:
Despite their form dipping up and down, it is still set to be a fine season for Dino Töppmöller’s men. The Eagles have shown they have the strength as a unit to compensate for the loss of top scorer Omar Marmoush in the January transfer window and mount a serious bid for the top four, starting the new year with six matches unbeaten. Hugo Ekitiké has been a dazzling forward presence, with 14 goals for the campaign, and will be key to the club’s top-four ambitions.
Watch: Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 Heidenheim – highlights
RB Leipzig
Position: 4th
Points: 48 (29 games)
Goals: 47-37 (+10)
Last 5 results:
Remaining 5 matches:
A mainstay of the UEFA Champions League places since the 2017/18 season, Leipzig certainly lived up to their high standards at the start of the season. However, an extensive injury list which included a long-term layoff for star playmaker Xavi sent them on a bit of a downward spiral. The red bulls do now have Xavi back from injury and, with new head coach Zsolt Löw in charge until the end of the season, they are now looking at making a renewed push to once again land in the top four at the end of May.
Watch: Highlights of Leipzig’s Matchday 26 win over Dortmund
Mainz
Position: 5th
Points: 46 (29 games)
Goals: 46-34 (+12)
Last 5 results:
Remaining 5 matches:
Mainz have upset the traditional domestic order to play in Europe before, doing so under the tutelage of Thomas Tuchel, among others. Bo Henriksen is the latest man making waves in the Mainz hotseat – and what a season they are enjoying under the Dane. Wins against Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich have formed part of a 10-match unbeaten home run that puts Mainz firmly in contention for European qualification. If Germany striker Jonathan Burkardt (15 goals) can stay fit and healthy, the 05ers have a good chance of clinching a continental spot in the last five matches of the season.
Watch: Mainz became the first team to beat Bayern this season
Freiburg
Position: 6th
Points: 45 (29 games)
Goals: 40-45 (-5)
Last 5 results:
Uncertainty was the overwhelming feeling in the Black Forest before the start of the season as Julian Schuster stepped into the sizeable coaching footprints left by Christian Streich and his record-breaking time in charge. Freiburg have looked every bit the same quietly effective outfit under the new boss, however. Results have been up and down all season, but a seven-match unbeaten run since the start of February has lifted Freiburg up the standings. With Vincenzo Grifo continuing to be a dependable creative force in an experienced side, European qualifiation could well be on the cards again.
Watch: Freiburg 5-0 Werder Bremen – Highlights
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Position: 7th
Points: 44 (29 games)
Goals: 46-43 (+3)
Last 5 results:
Remaining 5 matches:
The Foals came worryingly close to a relegation play-off at the end of 2023/24 but, thanks in large part to the arrival of super striker Tim Kleindienst, Gerardo Seoane’s side look far better equipped for a European push this time around. They have nobody to fear when it comes to clocking enough points over the remainder of the campaign, but inconsistency has held them back at times this season.
Watch: Tim Kleindienst – late into the limelight
Borussia Dortmund
Position: 8th
Points: 42 (29 games)
Goals: 54-45 (+9)
Last 5 results:
Remaining 5 matches:
Watch: Guirassy & Gittens – Dortmund’s double G-Force
Werder Bremen
Position: 9th
Points: 42 (29 games)
Goals: 47:54 (-7)
Last 5 results:
Remaining 5 matches:
Ole Werner’s Bremen side have struggled for consistency over the course of the 2024/25 campaign, but time and again, they have shown that they can compete with the very best on their day. A run of four consecutive league defeats between February and March left them plummeting down the league. However, a shock victory on Matchday 25 away at champions Leverkusen has lifted Werder to taking three wins from their last four, including another impressive victory over Frankfurt on Matchday 28. With Marvin Ducksch leading the line in front of an exciting midfield and Oliver Burke currently on song, if Bremen can stay consistent in the business end of the season, there’s every reason to believe they could creep into the European places.
Watch: Burke at the double on Matchday 29
Augsburg
Position: 10th
Points: 42 (29 games)
Goals: 33:40 (-7)
Last 5 results:
Remaining 5 matches:
Augsburg were not everyone’s tip for European qualification at the start of the season, having last finished a campaign in the top half back in 2014/15 (then finishing fifth and earning a Europa League place). Three defeats in their opening five matches did not augur too well, but Jess Thorup has steadied the ship admirably, going on an 11-game unbeaten run from the middle of January until defeat against Bayern on Matchday 28 brought the Fuggerstädter back down to earth. Finn Dahmen has particularly impressed since the season’s restart, keeping eight clean sheets and only having to pick the ball out his net three times during Augsburg’s admirable run. That kind of steel could well see Augsburg emerge as surprise European qualifiers.
Watch: Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Augsburg – highlights
What does Stuttgart’s DFB Cup final against Arminia Bielefeld mean for European qualification?
VfB Stuttgart
Position: 11th
Points: 40 (29 games)
Goals: 52-46 (+6)
Last 5 results:
Remaining 5 matches:
Stuttgart faced a challenging start to a campaign that kicked off without departed giants like Serhou Guirassy and Waldemar Anton. A run of six wins in eight games sent Sebastian Hoeneß’s men surging up the standings and back into familiar territory but they now have just one win in their last eight games. Key goal threat Deniz Undav has returned after injury issues, though, and perhaps his goals – along with those of strike partner Ermedin Demirović, who plundered a hat-trick in the 4-0 Matchday 28 win over Bochum – can lift the Swabians from 11th and propel a push up the standings.
Watch: Stuttgart win at Bochum on Matchday 28 – highlights
Wolfsburg
Position: 12th
Points: 38 (29 games)
Goals: 51-45 (+6)
Last 5 results:
Remaining 5 matches:
After a few seasons of huffing and puffing, the Wolves are looking up rather than down as they aim for their first European qualification spot since 2020/21. Ralph Hasenhüttl has masterminded the revival this term, with loan signing Mohamed Amoura bringing attacking momentum. Four defeats in a row have damaged their challenge, but a strong end to the campaign could put them right back in contention.
Watch: The best of Mohamed Amoura
How is the battle to stay in the Bundesliga unfolding?
