FC Bayern must keep Bundesliga champion beer cold

League leaders FC Bayern Munich may have done their homework for an early title celebration with their 3-0 (2-0) home win against FSV Mainz 05. However, the simultaneous 2-0 (2-0) victory by rivals Bayer Leverkusen against FC Augsburg means the Munich club's 34th Bundesliga title is still far from complete, with three games remaining before the end of the season.

In Munich, after some initial difficulties, Bayern's superior quality clearly prevailed against a brave Mainz side. Leroy Sané (27th minute), Michael Olise (40th minute), and Eric Dier (84th minute) created a good atmosphere, even though the championship celebration had to be postponed. Another disappointment was the fifth yellow card for striker Harry Kane, who will be suspended for the potential title crown in the next match against Leipzig.

Leverkusen made it clear from the start at home that they wanted to delay the title decision as long as possible. Patrik Schick (13') and Emiliano Buendia (45'+1') scored the goals for last year's champions against Augsburg.

With a further eight-point lead, Bayern can now secure the championship on their own next weekend. Postponement is not cancellation, said Thomas Müller. "The truck, or rather the horse-drawn carriage, is leaving now so it arrives in Leipzig on time next week," joked the Bayern veteran, referring to the celebratory beer already prepared at the Munich Arena: "I think we can get a point in Leipzig."

Frankfurt almost there

Eintracht Frankfurt consolidated third place with a 4-0 (1-0) victory over RB Leipzig, which suffered a significant setback in the race for Champions League qualification. "When you win 4-0 at home against Leipzig, who are right behind you, in a game like that where there's a certain amount of pressure, it's really impressive," said Eintracht coach Dino Toppmöller. "The boys did really well. They were ready."

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund continues to edge closer to the Champions League spots. BVB, unbeaten in five league matches, won 3-2 (1-0) at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and climbed to sixth place. SC Freiburg jumped to fourth place, ahead of RB Leipzig, with a 1-0 (0-0) win at VfL Wolfsburg.

Bochum can hardly be saved

Meanwhile, VfL Bochum is facing its seventh Bundesliga relegation. The club, who are from the Ruhr area, only managed a 1-1 draw (0-1) against Union Berlin, falling to last place in the table. A loss in their next match on Friday against 16th-placed 1. FC Heidenheim will put them out of the play-off spot. Bochum coach Dieter Hecking, however, refuses to give up the fight and defended their chances of staying in the league: "This team is alive; this team was stone-dead. And this team will try to win the game in Heidenheim."

Meanwhile, Holstein Kiel is gaining new hope in its relegation battle. The newly promoted team won a wild home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-3 (2-0), handing the bottom spot to Bochum and keeping pace with Heidenheim, who had set the pace with a 1-0 (0-0) win at VfB Stuttgart in Friday's match of the 31st round. FC St. Pauli also gained points in its fight against relegation with a goalless draw at Werder Bremen. With three games remaining, the Hamburg club are six points clear of the relegation play-off spot (16th). With a nine-point advantage and a significantly better goal difference, direct relegation is practically impossible.

Results and scorers of the 31st Bundesliga matchday:

Bayern Munich - FSV Mainz 05 3-0 (2-0) Goals: 1:0 Sané (27th), 2:0 Olise (40th), 3:0 Dier (84th)

Bayer Leverkusen - FC Augsburg 2:0 (2:0) Goals: 1-0 Schick (13th), 2-0 Buendía (45th+1)

Eintracht Frankfurt - RB Leipzig 4-0 (1-0) Goals: 1:0 Knauff (21st), 2:0 Knauff (53rd), 3:0 Ekitiké (67th), 4:0 R. Koch (71st) Red card: Bitshiabu (Leipzig) after an emergency brake (50th)

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim - Borussia Dortmund 2:3 (0:1) Goals: 0:1 Guirassy (20th), 1:1 Hlozek (61st), 1:2 Brandt (74th), 2:2 Kaderabek (90th+1), 2:3 Anton (90th+5)

VfL Wolfsburg - SC Freiburg 0:1 (0:0) Goals: 0:1 Rosenfelder (49th) Red card: Arnold (Wolfsburg) for serious foul play (26th)

VfL Bochum - 1. FC Union Berlin 1:1 (0:1) Goals: 0:1 Hollerbach (17th), 1:1 Bero (68th)

Holstein Kiel - Borussia Mönchengladbach 4:3 (2:0) Goals: 1:0 Machino (15th), 2:0 Bernhardsson (23rd), 2:1 Cvancara (60th), 2:2 Plea (69th), 3:2 Gigovic (76th), 3:3 Honorat (86th), 4:3 Machino (90th + 1)

VfB Stuttgart - 1. FC Heidenheim 0:1 (0:0) Goals: 0:1 Honsak (89.)

Werder Bremen - FC St. Pauli 0:0 Goals: none