Bundesliga: Dardai's defense bettered only by Bayern

Of course, this Bundesliga weekend most eyes will be on Bayern Munich as they chase down a record set by Tottenham Hotspur in 1960-61 - 11 straight wins to start a league season. Keen interest will also be paid to Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and whether he will continue his scoring run. With fewer stars but more intrigue, Hertha Berlin against Gladbach is the game of matchday 11.

Hertha's uneventful win over Ingolstadt last weekend was exactly the type of result that evaded them last season. This year, they've only been toppled three times - against Dortmund, Wolfsburg and Schalke - and since Pal Dardai took over 25 games ago, only Bayern have had a better defensive record. The inspired form of replacement keeper Rune Jarstein and Salomon Kalou rediscovering his goalscoring touch have helped, but it is the performance of Mitchell Weiser that has been the difference. The 21-year-old former Bayern Munich man has been so good at right back that he's been doing the attacking too. Three assists and a goal (the winner against Ingolstadt) leaves Weiser as the key man and Dardai's men as the surprise of the season so far.

Appropriate then, that the most dramatic club of the first 10 games makes the trip to the capital this weekend. Borussia Mönchengladbach have recovered from the sudden departure of Lucien Favre in remarkable fashion. After five straight defeats, Andre Schubert guided Gladbach to five straight wins - a Bundesliga first, including a league and cup double against Schalke in the space of four days. Even without captain Martin Stranzl and attacker Patrick Herrmann (and now Tony Jantschke), the Foals are racing back towards the top four thanks to a man many thought was in it for the short-term. This weekend, Gladbach are not just chasing their own win-record and a further three points, but they'll be after a fourth consecutive win against Hertha.

Wolves need remedy against Bayer

Wolfsburg's German Cup defense ended in such resounding fashion that the club also known as 'The Wolves' may in fact need a new nickname. Schooled by Bayern Munich, Dieter Hecking now faces a Bayer Leverkusen team who has returned to furious goalscoring like a relapsing sugar-addict. Looking at last season's encounter though, perhaps Hecking won't be too disheartened. Wolfsburg were the visitors and held a 3-0 lead at the break, only for Leverkusen to eventually pull level at 4-4. Then Bas Dost struck in injury-time to steal the three points. Roger Schmidt will be hoping his side do the stealing this weekend, but perhaps without the heart strain of the last week. All things considered though, there's likely to be further rushes of blood to the head for Leverkusen fans this weekend - especially as this Bundesliga fixture has never ended goalless.

Bundesliga matchday 11 fixtures:

Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Bayern Munich (Friday)

Schalke vs. Ingolstadt (Saturday)

Augsburg vs. Mainz

Cologne vs. Hoffenheim

Hertha vs. Gladbach

Wolfsburg vs. Leverkusen (Saturday late)

Stuttgart vs. Darmstadt (Sunday)

Hamburg vs. Hannover