The race for Europe | OneFootball

The Bundesliga's race to play European football in 2025/26

With the 2024/25 season entering its final five games, 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...

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>>> How does European qualification work?

Eintracht Frankfurt Position: 3rdPoints: 51 (29 games)Goals: 58-42 (+16)

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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 as they take on four teams also jostling for Europe in the final five matchdays.

RB LeipzigPosition: 4thPoints: 48 (29 games)Goals: 47-37 (+10)

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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 Simons sent them on a bit of a downward spiral. Die Roten Bullen do now have Xavi back from injury and, with new head coach Zsolt Lőw in charge until the end of the season after the dismissal of Marco Rose at the start of April, they are now looking at making a renewed push to once again land in the top four at the end of May, but have a tricky run-in.

MainzPosition: 5thPoints: 46 (29 games)Goals: 46-34 (+12)

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Mainz have upset the traditional domestic order to play in Europe before, doing so under the tutelage of Thomas Tuchel. 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, which includes a home encounter with top-four rivals Frankfurt.

FreiburgPosition: 6thPoints: 45 (29 games)Goals: 40-45 (-5)

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Uncertainty was the overwhelming feeling in the Black Forest before the start of the season as Julian Schuster stepped into the sizeable coaching boots 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 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, especially with home fixtures to come against top sides.

Borussia MönchengladbachPosition: 7thPoints: 44 (29 games)Goals: 46-43 (+3)

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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, including trips to Dortmund and Munich, but inconsistency has held them back at times this season.

Borussia DortmundPosition: 8th Points: 42 (29 games)Goals: 54-45 (+9)

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Dortmund had looked largely untouchable at home under Nuri Şahin, but away struggles - with just one win in their first nine on the road - largely led to his departure in January. New boss Niko Kovač has been aiming to put things right so that last season's Champions League finalists can enter European competition in some shape or form next term. With Serhou Guirassy continually serving up goals and Jamie Gittens shining on the wing, the Black & Yellows - who have claimed confidence-boosting results against Bayern and Barcelona of late - certainly have the quality to rise up the table and end the season strongly.

Werder BremenPosition: 9thPoints: 42 (29 games)Goals: 47-54 (-7)

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Ole Werner's Bremen 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 four wins from their last five. 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.

Augsburg Position: 10th Points: 42 (29 games)Goals: 33-40 (-7)

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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.

>>> What does Stuttgart's DFB Cup final against Arminia Bielefeld mean for European qualification?

VfB StuttgartPosition: 11thPoints: 40 (29 games)Goals: 52-46 (+6)

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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 last season's runners-up have now have just one win in their last eight games since victory in Dortmund. Key goal threat Deniz Undav has returned after injury issues but has struggled to fire. Nick Woltemade has impressed after emerging from the shadows, while fellow striker Ermedin Demirović, who plundered a hat-trick in the 4-0 Matchday 28 win over Bochum has helped shoulder the burden as the Swabians seek a return to Europe after this year's Champions League adventure, either via the league or by winning the DFB Cup.

WolfsburgPosition: 12thPoints: 38 (29 games)Goals: 51-45 (+6)Last 5 results:

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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, with only eight points separating them from Mainz in fifth place.

>>> How is the battle to stay in the Bundesliga unfolding?

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