Promoted club Hoffenheim may still be leading the German Bundesliga standings after 19 of 34 matches. But the defending champions Bayern Munich are peaked atop the Bundesliga Power Rankings.
Key: Place in current standings, points, goal differential
1. Bayern Munich - 2nd, 38, +16
Bayern Munich came back from an early goal against Borussia Dortmund for a 3-1 victory at home and just to second place in the league. The win could have been even bigger as Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose both had a handful of chances before two late goals by Klose provided the winning margins. Playmakers like Frank Ribery and Ze Roberto make the difference in this team as they can survive giving up goals with their dynamic push forward.
2. Hoffenheim - 1st, 39, +21
The Bundesliga leaders Hoffenheim played to just a 1-1 draw at last placed Borussia Moenchengladbach and needed a goal in the 89th minute to get it done even though scorer Wellington was actually off-sides. The fact that Wellington scored is important since he had struggled so far this season. But if he can emerge as a scoring threat along with Boubacar Sanogo, Hoffenheim may well just overcome the loss of Vedad Ibisevic.
3. Hamburg - 4th, 36, +2
It may ponder some how Hamburg can be third in the power ranking despite giving up a two-goal lead and losing 3-2 at struggling Karlsruhe. Until that game, the defense has been very solid and the offense struck just enough as evidenced by the +2 goal differential. But Martin Jol's team will remain in the running for the league title.
4. Stuttgart - 6th, 31, +7
After beating Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 on the road, Stuttgart have lost just once in the last eight Bundesliga games including four wins in the last five matches. Markus Babbel's team was thrashed in the German Cup 5-1 against Bayern Munich. But Stuttgart are back in the race in the Bundesliga with striker Mario Gomez leading the way. And now Stuttgart are just two points behind Leverkusen in the final UEFA Cup spot.
5. Hertha Berlin - 3rd, 37, +8
Hertha Berlin suffered a 1-1 draw at Arminia Bielefeld but remain a solid surprise this season. Their 22 goals allowed ranks second in the league. But Berlin rely too heavily on Marko Pantelic. If they can find another scoring threat their push towards a spot in international play will be helped.
6. Bayer Leverkusen - 5th, 33, +13
A 4-2 loss at home against Stuttgart does not help the cause of a young team.
7. Wolfsburg - 7th, 30, +12
Wolfsburg could be higher on this list, and the standings if they could just get a road victory.
8. Schalke - 8th, 30, +8
Schalke have the best defense in the league (just 17 goals allowed). But they have scored just 25.
9. Borussia Dortmund - 9th, 30, +6
Just three wins at home has Dortmund stuck in the middle of the table.
10. Werder Bremen - 10th, 26, +9
Injuries and suspensions have kept Bremen from starting a winning streak all season.
11. Cologne - 11th, 24, -6
A team fighting against relegation which just doesn't have a lot of firepower.
12. Eintracht Frankfurt - 12th, 20, -7
Frankfurt extended their deal with coach Friedhelm Funkel
13.Arminia Bielefeld - 14th, 18, -11
Bielefeld have collected points in their last four games and six of the last seven.
14. Energie Cottbus - 15th, 16, -17
Cottbus bagged an important win - 3-1 against Hannover - at home where they have struggled.
15. Karlsruhe - 16th, 16, -18
A critical 3-2 comeback win over Hamburg helps after having scored one goal in previous three games.
16. Hannover - 13th, 20, -13
A 3-1 defeat at Cottbus continues nightmare season on the road.
17. Borussia Moenchengladbach - 18th, 12, -19
A big moral victory over first placed Hoffenheim with a 1-1 draw at home.
18. Bochum - 17th, 14, -11
Bochum returned to losing ways after having snapped long win-less streak.
