1. Hugo Ekitiké (Eintracht Frankfurt)
No Marmoush – no downside! It’s astonishing how Frankfurt many times show that they’ve superb squad planning all through the entire squad. Some could have thoght that the switch of Omar Marmoush, Frankfurt’s greatest participant in 2024/25 to date, might need a huge effect on the staff – however one participant stepped as much as fill the hole Marmoush left behind.
Hugo Ekitiké already confirmed his qualities subsequent to Marmoush this season, however there was rightful doubt over his performances with out him – within the 2 video games with out Marmoush nevertheless, in opposition to Dortmund within the Bundesliga and Ferencváros within the Europa League, Ekitiké was capable of shine as brilliant as he did earlier than, scoring in every sport and serving to his staff to 2 consecutive 2-0 wins.
Frankfurt are taking part in Hoffenheim on matchday 19 of the Bundesliga, a struggling aspect which is, at this second in time, combating in opposition to relegation. Hold an eye fixed out for the French striker – he may simply turn into Frankfurt’s subsequent tremendous switch and generate an analogous charge to his former teammate Marmoush and his predecessor Kolo Muani.
2. Loïs Openda (RB Leipzig)
In fact it is simple to foretell strikers to have an impactful sport – targets are what issues and so they resolve the end result to the sport. Openda nevertheless didn’t randomly seem on this listing: he’s the important thing purpose for Leverkusen’s solely loss within the final 52(!) Bundesliga video games! Can he do it once more on matchday 19 of the Bundesliga?
Final time they met, Leipzig had been capable of beat Leverkusen 3-2, with Openda scoring twice. Matter of truth, Openda loves scoring in opposition to Leverkusen: within the two video games earlier than stated match, Openda scored every time – however Leipzig misplaced each video games 2-3 (sure, that is proper: all 3 of the final 3 matches resulted in a 3-2 victory for one aspect).
Openda missed the 3-3 draw in opposition to Bochum on matchday 18 due to a purple card, which suggests he can be desperate to bounce again and present a great efficiency. Whereas a participant of his high quality ought to at all times be watched carefully, that is your extra recommendation to definetly accomplish that when Leipzig meet Leverkusen within the (subjectively talking) greatest Bundesliga match of the week this Saturday.
3. Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund)
It is not a enjoyable time to be a Dortmund fan proper now. 4 losses in 4 video games in 2025, 11 targets conceded, key gamers are leaving the staff – and the supervisor simply received sacked, too. It is sport 1 within the post-era of Nuri Şahin in Dortmund and this would be the second for a very powerful gamers to step up.
A participant who might do precisely that’s Julian Brandt. The 48-times capped German worldwide was at all times supposed to steer this staff, or a minimum of the attacking a part of the staff, into the long run, whereas additionally bettering individually. Nevertheless, Brandt appears to not have been capable of observe these directions. This managerial change now is likely to be what he must get again on observe and discover his means again into the class of ‘prime gamers within the Bundesliga’.
Dortmund are taking part in in opposition to Werder Bremen on matchday 19 – which satirically is the membership from Brandt’s dwelling city Bremen. Along with that, it is also a battle of two ‘table-neighbours’ with Bremen at the moment being ranked ninth and Dortmund tenth – and necessary sport for each side to getting nearer to their aim of reaching the European locations.
It’s best to maintain an eye fixed out for the entire Dortmund XI and see which gamers are capable of step up and lead the staff – it appears like a ‘final probability’ section for gamers like Julian Brandt.