Germany League - Bundesliga Prediction Thread

[hahay]

The match between Mainz and Union Berlin is scheduled to take place at Friday. But this match has been cancelled. Due to the cold weather, areas of the stadium are icy and therefore the DFB has said that this match will be postponed. This is already the second game for Union Berlin that has been postponed. At the beginning of December 2023 the match between Bayern Munich and Union Berlin was cancelled due to snow.

Even though yes, at least there are still a few days left to get to the match, and I think it could be that the weather when the match will start maybe the weather will be better. But yes, maybe they care more and don't want to disappoint the audience on the day of the match so yes, the organizers chose to postpone the match at least two days before arriving on the day of the match. But yes, with this postponed match whether it will be an advantage for Union Berlin and Metz or not at all because anyway, in the next match Union Berlin will play against Bayern Munich and I think it will be a difficult match for Union Berlin of course.

[Pesona1]

It is going to be a sad thing if Bayern Munich actually gets Xabi as the new coach. I think Xabi should look to go to Real Madrid. But the problem is we all know that the Real Madrid coach is staying for another year. So Xabi is not going to Real Madrid in my opinion. And I think that is the chance which Bayern Munich is trying to take with him. Now I am pretty sure that if Bayern Munich actually gets him, it is going to be a disaster for other clubs in the Bundesliga. Because he is already doing really well with his club which is not very powerful in terms of squad. And imagine what he will do if he goes to Bayern Munich as the coach.

Xabi succeeded in bringing many surprises to the Bundesliga, arriving as a coach who was doubted by many people, but in fact Xabi managed to silence these doubts by placing Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga standings without defeat until now, but in my opinion if Xabi leaves Leverkusen in the near future then that would be a stupid decision, because in fact the beginning of Xabi rise so far is the service of the owner of Leverkusen who gave confidence in Xabi when he first trained and did not burden Xabi with a big target, especially to make Leverkusen champions, so that Xabi is free to work because he has full freedom and trust from the Leverkusen owner, but if Xabi trains a big and rich club, then he will have a strong burden and pressure ,so xabi work is not optimal and will most likely fail, it is better for xabi to stay a few more seasons at Leverkusen to be able to hone and improve his coaching abilities, so that later when his coaching skills have improved and are ready, of course a big club could be xabi next career.

[temple]

Union Berlin was playing well for a few years and they established themselves as a team that is hard to beat, but this crash couldn't be anticipated by anyone. The reasons for that could be manyfold, but maybe it was too much for them to share their resources among the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the Champions League. I can only imagine what an adventure it was for them to play against clubs like Real Madrid, but I think for a club with low depth in the squad it is quite a burden mentally and physically at the same time. This could be a reason why this challenge was a few levels too high for them.

we don't know the real reason for what happened in the Union Berlin team. Still, for those who follow and enjoy the Bundesliga, they know that Union Berlin is a pretty strong team. the reasons you say can also be reasonable.
Union Berlin must at least try to survive in the Bundesliga next season. and they can focus on reorganizing their players and mentality for the new season.
this season their focus will probably only be to survive in the Bundesliga. there is nothing they can chase anymore which puts pressure on their game. they have to adapt and try to play better. they need to get out of the pressure.

They used to be a pretty strong team or otherwise you mean something different when you call them pretty strong. For the time being they are not a pretty strong team. 14 points after 16 games and one game they have to play against Bayern Munich, which I doubt they have a chance to win. But the 14 points is not an accident anymore. Accidents are more likely when a team is looking bad after maybe seven or eight games, but after 16 games I think this result is revealing some fundamental problems. It could be quality, it could be a challenge they can't cope with like I outlined (Bundesliga + DFB Pokal + Champions League). But I still believe that they have a good chance to stay in the 1. Bundesliga.

[Webetcoins]

There might be a chance for Bayern Munich to close the gap up with Leverkusen a little more at this weekend by the way. Because Leverkusen have a really tough away game against Leipzig on paper. The thing that might help Leverkusen stay one step ahead of Leipzig can be Leverkusen's great form and Leipzig's recent point losses in a row.

There is a clearly visible downgrade in Leipzig's performance for two game weeks. But as this is a big game for them I don't know how they would prepare themselves. I hope Leverkusen win this somehow because Bayern Munich would surely destroy Werder Bremen on one hand. 

Maybe it is just me but for some reason I feel like these type of games are easier to win. I mean I know that Leipzig is a good team but so does Leverkusen, they know they are going to play against a big club that has a chance to beat them, so they will not be really doing anything marginal all that much, and I am sensing that there is a potential that we could maybe see them play a little differently.

I hope that they could make it work somehow and they could get a lot better, which I think should not really be an issue for them in the end. I believe that Leverkusen has a higher chance of losing points to a team that is much worse, because they will underestimate their opponent, and have a higher chance to win when it is a team like Leipzig.

[Lafu]

Even though yes, at least there are still a few days left to get to the match, and I think it could be that the weather when the match will start maybe the weather will be better. But yes, maybe they care more and don't want to disappoint the audience on the day of the match so yes, the organizers chose to postpone the match at least two days before arriving on the day of the match. But yes, with this postponed match whether it will be an advantage for Union Berlin

I dont know if that is really an advantage for Union Berlin , maybe as they have more days of a break as other teams.
But also here with the current weather situation here in german its possible that more games will canceld on the coming weekend.
If it keeps snowing and freezing i think that the whole matchday can be canceld.

in the next match Union Berlin will play against Bayern Munich and I think it will be a difficult match for Union Berlin of course.

It will be for sure a hard and difficult match for Union Berlin and all other teams that face Bayern Munich.
And i cant believe that Union Berlin will be getting something out of that game against Munich.

[QueenVera]

It seems like xabi has been targeted by bayern's boss to be the successor for tuchel. In light of Tuchel's imminent departure, the club has shown unwavering dedication to securing him as their next coach. I think that the combination between bayern munich and xabi will make the club become unbeatable for the long term. Xabi was willing to coaching the club that gave him success as a player. I do like how bayern was projecting him to be a long-term solution for the club. I do support the decision for munich to recruit xabi.

I do like this. I hope i will see xabi to be a new coach for bayern munich. Im sure many of munich fans will have agreed with it too. Xabi will able to become a long term project owned by juventus. This is also helping the club a lot in building the club for long term project.
bayern munich has been making future plan by recruiting him to the club in the future. Xabi's performance with leverkusen was relaly impressive.

Well Xabi to Bayern Munich is quite possible and could be a reality especially as he was once a player and during his days there, he achieved great success. This alone will want to make him achieve more as a coach and this is the confidence the board have on him especially seeing what he does with this Leverkusen side

 Yes, Tuchel has been good but he’s not suit the taste of the board. In Tuchel’s Bayern we don’t see the massive number of goals from the team and they also concede more in this era and the board aren’t confident on him continuing. Xabi will be a great coach for them and yes, he’ll be a long term project and might probably hand them their next UCL title because undoubtedly the man’s good and he’s intelligent and has impressed the football world with his performance at Leverkusen.

[Renampun]

Leipzig vs Leverkusen will be an interesting match this week, yes both will be determined to beat each other. For Leverkusen, a victory will allow them to maintain their current position, while for Leipzig, a victory will make them more solid in 4th place in the standings as well as it will be a cure for their defeat in the previous week.
This will be a difficult match for both teams, be it for Leverkusen, or for Leipzig. Leverkusen are in impressive form, they are the only club to be unbeaten until week 17, a remarkable achievement under Xabi Alonso.
This match is worth betting on, but the risk is also greater because both clubs have the ability to beat each other. Are you interested?

I'm really looking forward to this match happening, Leipzig is also a strong team and if Leverkusen fail to win this match then their position at the top will be threatened by Bayern. However, looking at the performance of these two teams in the last 5 matches (between Leverkusen vs Leipzig), Leverkusen has a pretty big chance of winning this match, The point is that Leverkusen has to be careful of the home team because Leipzig is quite dangerous at home.

Koln vs Dortmund will also be an interesting match, Koln is in the relegation zone and has performed very poorly in the last 5 matches so it will be quite easy for Dortmund to beat Koln.

[Josefjix]

Leipzig vs Leverkusen will be an interesting match this week, yes both will be determined to beat each other. For Leverkusen, a victory will allow them to maintain their current position, while for Leipzig, a victory will make them more solid in 4th place in the standings as well as it will be a cure for their defeat in the previous week.
This will be a difficult match for both teams, be it for Leverkusen, or for Leipzig. Leverkusen are in impressive form, they are the only club to be unbeaten until week 17, a remarkable achievement under Xabi Alonso.
This match is worth betting on, but the risk is also greater because both clubs have the ability to beat each other. Are you interested?

Leverkusen is still unbeaten at the moment, and I'm pursuing to see RB Leipzig become the first team to break that streak. Xabi Alonso has improved the club's performance, and he is not responding to any unfavorable outcomes, instead striving for outstanding performances. RB Leipzig will face Bayer Leverkusen in their next match. To clarify, RB Leipzig was Leverkusen's first win, and it was a narrow escape because the game ended 3-2 in Leverkusen's favor. But this time, it's the second leg, and I anticipate RB Leipzig to give it their all; Marco Rose doesn't want a second defeat.

[Oluwa-btc]

There might be a chance for Bayern Munich to close the gap up with Leverkusen a little more at this weekend by the way. Because Leverkusen have a really tough away game against Leipzig on paper. The thing that might help Leverkusen stay one step ahead of Leipzig can be Leverkusen's great form and Leipzig's recent point losses in a row.

There is a clearly visible downgrade in Leipzig's performance for two game weeks. But as this is a big game for them I don't know how they would prepare themselves. I hope Leverkusen win this somehow because Bayern Munich would surely destroy Werder Bremen on one hand. 

Damnit! Tough game for the league leaders and it's difficult to predict who wins, Bayern Leverkusen though have a good away form this season, we'll be hoping ( Those backing Bayern Leverkusen ) that they get to win Leipzig because this is not a game one can not just predict with the mouth. It should be one of them toughest fixtures this season since they Leipzig have been stubborn to clubs that leads the Bundesliga League Competition.

Meanwhile, Victor Boniface them start boy has been absent due to Injury prior to the African Cup of Nations Competitions. He will take a long time before he definitely returns.
Defending Champions Bayern Munich also would be mounting pressure so they could leapfrog Bayern Leverkusen from the top. Harry still on the chase to score 30+ goals??

[MAAManda]

This match is worth betting on, but the risk is also greater because both clubs have the ability to beat each other. Are you interested?

It is difficult to make a choice in this match, because both teams are strong teams in the Bundesliga. But, even so, there will always be a team that's more favourite, for now based on bookies, I see that Bayer Leverkusen isn't favourite, this is because this match is a home match for RB Leipzig. For me, I'll go back to my principle, I'll wait for the match to progress first, and see who scores first, then I'll choose the team that's behind.

[Weawant]

I'm really looking forward to this match happening, Leipzig is also a strong team and if Leverkusen fail to win this match then their position at the top will be threatened by Bayern. However, looking at the performance of these two teams in the last 5 matches (between Leverkusen vs Leipzig), Leverkusen has a pretty big chance of winning this match, The point is that Leverkusen has to be careful of the home team because Leipzig is quite dangerous at home.

Koln vs Dortmund will also be an interesting match, Koln is in the relegation zone and has performed very poorly in the last 5 matches so it will be quite easy for Dortmund to beat Koln.

The attention drawn to the fixture between Leverkusen and Leipzig is due to the fact that Leverkusen has got a record which they have maintained so far this season and Leipzig has in recent times been a strong and tough contender so it very probable that both team are going to have a fierce battle and the best team will win.

Leverkusen in a bid to maintaining their spot at the top of the table in order not to be displaced by Bayern Munich will definitely put up a very good fight against Leipzig and Leipzig would want to be the first to break the unbeaten record Bayern Leverkusen have been able to maintain this season. It very likely the game will end in a draw because both team have much at stake and they are both in their good form, Leverkusen should be improve their performance if they must be able to penetrate the defense line of Leipzig because Leipzig has got a good defense.

[rendravolt]

Union Berlin are a really big disappointment this season after having a really solid season previously. They finished the previous season in top 4 but now they are trying not to relegate. I liken their progress to Sevilla in the La Liga. It is really like the same. Sevilla are also on the decline for years as you know.

But I believe Union Berlin can save themselves from their current position. Because their results started to improve as of the manager change they made not long ago. At least they aren't losing many times in a row anymore.

Urs Fischer was voted the most successful manager in the Bundesliga last season. However, this season they had very bad results both in the Champions League and in the league. There was a period in the league where they didn't win for 12 games. They had a really bad performance this season. Urs Fischer has exhausted all his credits at Union Berlin. On the other hand, Nenad Bjelica, who replaced Urs Fischer, was fired from Trabzonspor at the beginning of this season due to his miscommunication and authoritarian behavior. He has a chance to succeed at Union Berlin, but I think Union Berlin should have signed a better coach than him.

I don't think Union Berlin can recruit a better coach than Urs Fischer because it is not easy for small teams to get the coach they want. Maybe according to the club's finances, Nenad Bjelica is the right choice and at least Union Berlin still has hope of staying in the Bundesliga with this change of coach. It was not easy for Nenad Bjelica to be at a club that was trying to survive the relegation zone and was fortunate that after his appointment as Union Berlin coach, slowly but surely Union Berlin is now free from the red zone.

However, that is still not enough because the distance from the relegation zone is only 3 points and every win obtained by Union Berlin is a ticket to be able to start the Bundesliga again next season. Even though currently Union Berlin is still said to be unable to be consistent, at least they can breathe a sigh of relief and in the last 5 matches they have only lost 1 time with 2 wins and 2 draws.

[tusandii]

Union Berlin are a really big disappointment this season after having a really solid season previously. They finished the previous season in top 4 but now they are trying not to relegate. I liken their progress to Sevilla in the La Liga. It is really like the same. Sevilla are also on the decline for years as you know.

But I believe Union Berlin can save themselves from their current position. Because their results started to improve as of the manager change they made not long ago. At least they aren't losing many times in a row anymore.

In the previous season, Union Berlin's performance was extraordinary, placing themselves in the top 4 positions which led to this season appearing in the champion league competition.
But this season's performance is very bad, occupying a place 1 rank above the relegation zone ranked 15th.
Even though the top player who left was only 1 person Fofana who left for Chelsea but the team's performance could be completely destroyed.

It is very sad to see that Union Berlin has experienced a very deep decline in performance and who knows what caused the decline in performance, we don't yet know the clarity, but what is certain is that this is Fischer's failure as coach of Union Berlin, who has been with this club for about 5 years and managed to achieve a proud achievement last season. and ended this season when Fischer failed to make efforts to improve Union Berlin's performance and finally Fischer was removed from his post after being replaced temporarily by Nenad Bjelica and the result was the same.
It seems reasonable that Union Berlin has lost performance after losing several players which ended up making them slump and indeed Fofana was very influential at Union Berlin.
I also heard that this poor performance was because several Union Berlin players came from weak clubs and were unable to improve their performance.

[swogerino]

Union Berlin are a really big disappointment this season after having a really solid season previously. They finished the previous season in top 4 but now they are trying not to relegate. I liken their progress to Sevilla in the La Liga. It is really like the same. Sevilla are also on the decline for years as you know.

But I believe Union Berlin can save themselves from their current position. Because their results started to improve as of the manager change they made not long ago. At least they aren't losing many times in a row anymore.

In the previous season, Union Berlin's performance was extraordinary, placing themselves in the top 4 positions which led to this season appearing in the champion league competition.
But this season's performance is very bad, occupying a place 1 rank above the relegation zone ranked 15th.
Even though the top player who left was only 1 person Fofana who left for Chelsea but the team's performance could be completely destroyed.

It is very sad to see that Union Berlin has experienced a very deep decline in performance and who knows what caused the decline in performance, we don't yet know the clarity, but what is certain is that this is Fischer's failure as coach of Union Berlin, who has been with this club for about 5 years and managed to achieve a proud achievement last season. and ended this season when Fischer failed to make efforts to improve Union Berlin's performance and finally Fischer was removed from his post after being replaced temporarily by Nenad Bjelica and the result was the same.
It seems reasonable that Union Berlin has lost performance after losing several players which ended up making them slump and indeed Fofana was very influential at Union Berlin.
I also heard that this poor performance was because several Union Berlin players came from weak clubs and were unable to improve their performance.

I think this is due to the fact that a team like Union Berlin which is used to play more in the Bundesliga II rather than in Bundesliga would come to this point no matter who is the coach.The finances of this club are limited compared to the likes of Bayern Munchen which always fight for the title in the Bundesliga while Union Berlin it is here like a fairy tale,yes I know they have come here from quite some years now but I still remember them playing in the Bundesliga II and this is not a distant memory to me.I hope the fix their problems and surely firing a coach who has brought them big success is never the way to go in my opinion but who I am to judge them,just a neutral fan  .

[nurilham]

Leverkusen is still unbeaten at the moment, and I'm pursuing to see RB Leipzig become the first team to break that streak. Xabi Alonso has improved the club's performance, and he is not responding to any unfavorable outcomes, instead striving for outstanding performances. RB Leipzig will face Bayer Leverkusen in their next match. To clarify, RB Leipzig was Leverkusen's first win, and it was a narrow escape because the game ended 3-2 in Leverkusen's favor. But this time, it's the second leg, and I anticipate RB Leipzig to give it their all; Marco Rose doesn't want a second defeat.

I think Leverkusen will get full points against Leipzig. Leverkusen is getting stronger, they always grow their performance under Xabi Alonso's management. Even Bayern Munich can't beat Leverkusen, how Leipzig can have the chance to beat them? If all Leverkusen key players are available for the match against Leipzig, I am sure Leverkusen probably get the points in Leipzig home. Leverkusen already defeated Leipzig in matchday 1, they must know how to beat Leipzig again. Anyway, Xabi Alonso must be aware that the win against Leipzig will be crucial for them. They will have a big match against Bayern Munich in the next few matches. So, Leverkusen must keep winning the full points before the match.

[Belarge]

I think this is due to the fact that a team like Union Berlin which is used to play more in the Bundesliga II rather than in Bundesliga would come to this point no matter who is the coach.The finances of this club are limited compared to the likes of Bayern Munchen which always fight for the title in the Bundesliga while Union Berlin it is here like a fairy tale,yes I know they have come here from quite some years now but I still remember them playing in the Bundesliga II and this is not a distant memory to me.I hope the fix their problems and surely firing a coach who has brought them big success is never the way to go in my opinion but who I am to judge them,just a neutral fan  .

These matches comes with different results. Shocking to watch some competitive club decline in performance. Bayern Munich remained the main club that have maintain consistent strength and we've enjoyed good moments of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. They have proven their dominance against their opponents, winning the challenges that confronts them. Union Berlin fighting for a spot to escape the relegation zone this season, they will put in everything they got because none of them would wear on a happy face to watch their team getting relegated.

[Rengga Jati]

It is very sad to see that Union Berlin has experienced a very deep decline in performance and who knows what caused the decline in performance, we don't yet know the clarity, but what is certain is that this is Fischer's failure as coach of Union Berlin, who has been with this club for about 5 years and managed to achieve a proud achievement last season. and ended this season when Fischer failed to make efforts to improve Union Berlin's performance and finally Fischer was removed from his post after being replaced temporarily by Nenad Bjelica and the result was the same.

This is indeed really bad for Union Berlin this season. The club has really experienced a decline in performance, even to the point where it is almost in the relegation zone. Even though last season the club's performance was not that bad and was even able to compete in the top middle of the standings. Union Berlin definitely needs quite significant reform, especially regarding their coach so that they can get more definite changes and also be stronger. But yes, sometimes the condition of the club, especially regarding finances, is not able to make the downturn better. Yeah, let's just see how they perform against Bayern Munich. Unfortunately they have to face a very strong club in the Bundesliga. So yes, this doesn't give Berlin a high enough chance of winning. So the only way is for Berlin to optimize match results to win in other matches.

[YuginKadoya]

Tuchel out soon? As reported by https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2024/1/16/24027222/bayern-munich-coaching-rumors-xabi-alonso-liverpool-real-madrid-bayer-leverkusen-transfer

Bayern bosses are impressed with the job Xabi Alonso has done at Bayer Leverkusen and wants him to take over once Thomas Tuchel’s tenure comes to an end. The fact Alonso already knows the club, where he played for 3 years, is another convincing factor. Xabi likes the idea of continuing his career in the Bundesliga. One of his objectives as a coach is to manage the three big clubs in which he played at the high level: Bayern, Madrid and Liverpool. The Bavarians could become his first destination to compete for the big trophies

It seems like xabi has been targeted by bayern's boss to be the successor for tuchel. In light of Tuchel's imminent departure, the club has shown unwavering dedication to securing him as their next coach. I think that the combination between bayern munich and xabi will make the club become unbeatable for the long term. Xabi was willing to coaching the club that gave him success as a player. I do like how bayern was projecting him to be a long-term solution for the club. I do support the decision for munich to recruit xabi.

I do like this. I hope i will see xabi to be a new coach for bayern munich. Im sure many of munich fans will have agreed with it too. Xabi will able to become a long term project owned by juventus. This is also helping the club a lot in building the club for long term project.
bayern munich has been making future plan by recruiting him to the club in the future. Xabi's performance with leverkusen was relaly impressive.

It was likely this was Xavi Alonso's plan all along, if this happens Bayern Munich will be dominant again, that is for sure, because Xavi Alonso has played for Bayern Munich for 3 long years and for sure he wants to establish a good relationship with the club and for sure the thing that everybody wants because Xavi Alonso is doing fine with the Leverkusen team with just a handful of players in its disposal The Bayern Munich is going to offer him a huge amount for sure, which is Alonso may love because who will not want money right, and Xabi Alonso is not different, everybody needs it,

The match between Mainz and Union Berlin is scheduled to take place at Friday. But this match has been cancelled. Due to the cold weather, areas of the stadium are icy and therefore the DFB has said that this match will be postponed. This is already the second game for Union Berlin that has been postponed. At the beginning of December 2023 the match between Bayern Munich and Union Berlin was cancelled due to snow.

It was canceled because of bad weather for sure because it will be dangerous for players as the ground is slippery and for sure because of the cold weather and the players are just wearing shorts it would be very cold for sure, and the Bundesliga will not go to that heights and endanger the well-being of a player just by playing the game in a harsh condition, for sure it will become fatal,

[wmaurik]

In the previous season, Union Berlin's performance was extraordinary, placing themselves in the top 4 positions which led to this season appearing in the champion league competition.
But this season's performance is very bad, occupying a place 1 rank above the relegation zone ranked 15th.
Even though the top player who left was only 1 person Fofana who left for Chelsea but the team's performance could be completely destroyed.

That's what happens when one team relies heavily on one of its key players to get better in a season. So when the player leaves for another team, the decline of that team will be very visible, as is happening with Union Berlin now. And this is very unfortunate because Union Berlin really suffered a lot because one of its key players left for another team. For now, Union Berlin can only try not to experience relegation at the end of the season so that they can still perform better than this season in the Bundesliga next season.

[rahmad2nd]

I think Leverkusen will get full points against Leipzig. Leverkusen is getting stronger, they always grow their performance under Xabi Alonso's management. Even Bayern Munich can't beat Leverkusen, how Leipzig can have the chance to beat them? If all Leverkusen key players are available for the match against Leipzig, I am sure Leverkusen probably get the points in Leipzig home. Leverkusen already defeated Leipzig in matchday 1, they must know how to beat Leipzig again. Anyway, Xabi Alonso must be aware that the win against Leipzig will be crucial for them. They will have a big match against Bayern Munich in the next few matches. So, Leverkusen must keep winning the full points before the match.

If I try to speculate for a while, especially now, I am more in favor of the home team being able to beat Leverkusen in the next match. I try to refer to various aspects and also based on the betting exchanges displayed by the bookies. IMO, this match has the potential to result in a draw or a win for the home team. Well, if you only look at one match, Bayern vs Leverkusen, for me it's not a benchmark that can really be used as a reference. Moreover, at that time the goalkeeper for Bayern was Ulreich. plus, Thomas Thucel has not yet found a pattern that is his mainstay. Now, Bayern Munich for me is very different.

Meanwhile, Leverkusen will visit the Red Bul Arena without Vitvor Bonifcae, especially since this match is a home match. For me, this match has a very big influence on Leverkusen, including Leipzig as the home team. What is certain is that the home team will not let them be defeated at home. Marco Rose will prepare his team to play optimally to get full points.
On the contrary, this match is a challenge match for Leverkusen. Previously they had difficulty overthrowing Augsburg, although in the end they were able to score a goal in a crucial minute. Leipzig was defeated at the BayArena, Leverkusen's headquarters, but that doesn't mean the same thing will happen again. Well, isn't it exciting? but this is just my speculation for now. What is certain is that I have to gather other information before this match is held.