Utd→Bayern, Liverpool→BVB ... Which Bundesliga club to watch based on PL team?

Football fans the world over are rejoicing at this weekend's return of the German Bundesliga.

After over two months starved of any decent football action because of the Covid-19 pandemic, finally we will have some top quality action to watch in just three days' time.

Of course, things won't look as they normally do with empty stands, silent stadiums and substitutes wearing face masks but we'll have to make do.

So all eyes will be on Germany and no doubt supporters of Premier League clubs will all be picking a team to follow in the weeks ahead.

But is it possible to pick a Bundesliga side based on the characteristics of your Premier League favourites? We take a look at the equivalent clubs in both divisions.

Bayern Munich - Manchester United

Quite an obvious match. Both clubs have magnificent pedigree when it comes to their glorious histories, the quantity of trophies won and world-class players to have pulled on the shirt.

They also both have enormous fanbases in all parts of their respective countries and around the world and, for that reason, attract plenty of jealous anger from rival fans.

Both have plenty of financial muscle to entice the world's finest players, though only Bayern are dominating the domestic scene at the moment as they aim for an eighth consecutive Bundesliga title.

These are the giants of their respective divisions.

Borussia Dortmund - Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp is, of course, the obvious connection here. Having delivered two Bundesliga titles for Borussia Dortmund, also taking them to a Champions League final, while in charge there he now has Liverpool standing on the brink of a first league success in three decades.

Both clubs boast large and passionate fans who known how to generate a boisterous atmosphere. They also share a pre-match 'You'll Never Walk Alone' rendition. And for The Kop read the Yellow Wall.

And even post-Klopp, Dortmund are devoted to high octane football and high entertainment for the fans.

RB Leipzig - Manchester City

Very much the nouveau riche of their respective countries, buying their way to the top.

Leipzig are hated by fans of every other German club because they've been bankrolled into contention for the top honours by the Red Bull corporation.

City don't attract quite the same fury in England but would be nowhere near their present level if it wasn't for the billions of their Abu Dhabi investors.

Having said that, both clubs have brilliant managers and are committed to winning games in style. Unlike City, Leipzig haven't won anything yet but it's only a matter of time.

Borussia Monchengladbach - Chelsea

Both these clubs have enjoyed their periods of success - Gladbach dominated the Bundesliga in the 1970s, winning a number of titles.

Chelsea weren't bad at that time either but achieved more in the late 1990s and 2000s but both have regularly graced the European stage.

In the present day, both have exciting young managers - Frank Lampard at Chelsea and Marco Rose at Gladbach - some useful up-and-coming players and are on course for the Champions League next season.

Bayer Leverkusen - Tottenham Hotspur

The German club have been labelled 'Neverkusen' because they're always the bridesmaid when it comes to the major prizes.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s they finished Bundesliga runners-up on four occasions and lost the 2002 Champions League final.

Tottenham can relate to that in recent years, missing out on league titles and losing big games in the cups, including last year's Champions League final, often by narrow margins.

Schalke - Everton

Yes, they both play in blue. But also they both boast terrific history and heritage, have been overshadowed by neighbours in the recent past (Dortmund and Liverpool respectively) and now find themselves in the middle of a rebuild.

Schalke are managed by the former Huddersfield manager David Wagner, who has moved them into European contention this season with the promise of more to follow. Carlo Ancelotti, who arrived at Everton in December, has designs to turn them into a top-six side but has plenty of graft ahead of him.

Schalke even have an Everton player on their books in on-loan right back Jonjoe Kenny.

Wolfsburg - Wolves

They share a nickname so it really is an obvious comparison.

But both clubs are based in proud, industrious, working-class communities with devoted fanbases and both are hoping to be in Europe once again next season.

Freiburg - Burnley

Two clubs who punch above their weight and comparatively modest resources in the top division.

Freiburg have become part of the Bundesliga furniture over the past decade, suffering relegation once in 2015 but bouncing straight back.

Like Burnley, they've had their scrapes down the bottom end of the table but always seem to prevail, making life uncomfortable for illustrious visitors.

Both clubs were enjoying very good seasons when they ground to a halt.

Hoffenheim - Leicester

Both clubs have enjoyed impressive rises from lower levels with the help of some hefty investment.

Nobody begrudges Leicester their success and pretty much permanent position towards the top of the table and they were probably the most popular champions of all time.

Hoffenheim and their financial backer Dietmar Hopp are less well-liked in Germany but their growth from fifth-tier side in 2000 to a Champions League outfit has been eye-catching.

Cologne - Newcastle

Clubs with vast fanbases and enormous stadiums who play integral roles in their respective cities.

But success has proved elusive of late with their respective heydays now an awful long time ago, with recent seasons spent in the lower half of the table and even the second division.

While Newcastle can perhaps hope for a transformation of fortunes if their Saudi Arabian takeover goes through, Cologne are enjoying a very decent season for a newly-promoted side.

Union Berlin - Sheffield United

Everybody predicted a relegation struggle for both of these clubs back in August and an immediate return to whence they came.

But both Union and United have made an absolute mockery of the pundits, enjoying terrific campaigns that nobody saw coming.

The Blades find themselves in a dream-like push for Champions League football, while Union are mid-table and should be comfortably safe from relegation.

Eintracht Frankfurt - Arsenal

Without question they are grand old teams with large supporter bases and lots of impressive history in the top flight.

And, without question, none of that is counting for anything in what has been a season of bitter disappointment and under-achievement to date.

Eintracht finished seventh last season and wanted to kick on - instead they're 12th and looking over their shoulder down the table.

Arsenal are ninth at the moment after three straight wins which but have been lower and have dropped far too many points.

Hertha Berlin - West Ham

They're underachieving clubs from the capital city who play their matches in cavernous former Olympic stadiums where the fans are miles from the pitch.

Despite constant aspirations to rise up again to the elite, there seems to be constant setbacks and disappointments, consigning them to lower-half mediocrity with a whiff of relegation danger.

Augsburg - Southampton

Two clubs that are inoffensive to pretty much everyone - except Saints to Portsmouth fans - and who have become part of the furniture in their respective top divisions in recent seasons.

They occasionally rise above their station by qualifying for Europe or embarking on a cup run but are generally well established and well regarded.

Both also look to be safe from relegation danger this season unless something calamitous happens.

Mainz - Watford

Overshadowed by larger clubs up the road but very much established in the top flight now after years of striving and giving big clubs one in the eye every so often.

Both need to galvanise themselves when the action returns as they're very much in the relegation scrap. Fortunately they're used to it.

Fortuna Dusseldorf - Bournemouth

Both clubs embarked on a glorious climb through the divisions during the 21st century, though admittedly Dusseldorf were the ones with lost tradition, while Bournemouth were in nosebleed territory.

Both are desperate to cling on to that top division kudos but find themselves in stark relegation danger after seasons of struggle.

They know dropping out of the esteemed elite could lead to a long and painful fall.

Werder Bremen - Aston Villa

Undoubtedly clubs of rich heritage, history and tradition who have enjoyed sporadic periods of high success in the past.

Now they are finding that things such as big stadiums and sizeable fanbases count for precious little amid the white heat of a relegation battle.

Both are absolutely not too big to go down and need an instant transformation of fortunes to string a few results together when the action resumes.

Paderborn - Norwich City

Have been through thick and thin in recent seasons, moving up and down from the first to the third tiers as they discover that success can be very fleeting indeed.

Having been promoted last season, many tipped them both to go straight back down and that's precisely what is going to happen.

Cut adrift at the bottom of their respective leagues, they should enjoy the experience while it lasts.

Bundesliga Fixtures Gameweek 26 (CET)

Saturday, May 16

3.30pm Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke

3.30pm RB Leipzig vs Freiburg

3.30pm Hoffenheim vs Hertha Berlin

3.30pm Fortuna Düsseldorf vs Paderborn

3.30pm Augsburg vs Wolfsburg

6.30pm Eintracht Frankfurt vs Borussia Mönchengladbach

Sunday, May 17

3.30pm Cologne vs Mainz

6 pm      Union Berlin vs Bayern Munich

Monday, May 18

8.30pm Werder Bremen vs Bayer Leverkusen