While league-leaders Schalke 04 were shocked 2-1 at VfL Bochum and Werder Bremen were humbled 3-2 by Arminia Bielefeld, Stuttgart made a late charge into the title race thanks to a 1-0 win at relegated Borussia Monchengladbach.

The win leaves them second, just a point behind Schalke with three games left to go. Stuttgart face relegation-threatened Mainz 05 on Saturday, but have a tricky run-in against battlers VfL Bochum and Energie Cottbus.

"I remember reading a survey at Christmas, asking about the favourites to take the league title. We weren't named then and I'm not going to allow us to be forced into that role now", said Veh ahead of Saturday's sell-out home clash at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadium).

"Schalke have the title in their hands and Bremen have won numerous titles in recent years. They know the situation very well, we just want to win the game against Mainz.

"I am delighted we are in second place with just three games to go, but we have to focus."

Veh has a full squad to choose from apart from suspended defender Arthur Boka and injured Mario Gomez, who is back in training after a knee injury.

Stuttgart's rivals Werder Bremen have a tough trip to Hertha Berlin on Sunday and must quickly brush off the effects of Thursday night's UEFA Cup semifinal game against Espanyol.

Hertha hammered Alemannia Aachen 4-0 at Berlin's Olympic Stadium last weekend and having stopped their slid down the table, they will test Bremen.

After defeats in their last two games, Bayern Munich must make sure of the three points when they travel to relegated Borussia Monchengladbach.

'Gladbach have picked up just one win in 10 games, but a defeat for Bayern would sum up their indifferent season with Munich boss Ottmar Hitzfeld promising sweeping changes next season.

Having survived the mother of all wake-up calls with last weekend's defeat to VfL Bochum, Bundesliga leaders Schalke 04 still cling to top spot.

But they need three points at home to Nuremberg, who are pushing for a top five finish and a UEFA Cup place next season, and can ill-afford another shock defeat.

With some teams now playing for survival with just three games left, the Bundesliga is entering the silly season for results, as struggling sides desperately look to poach wins from teams hunting European places.

On Friday night, Hannover entertain Energie Cottbus and on Saturday VfL Wolfsburg host Borussia Dortmund, who look to have halted their slide towards the relegation zone.

Hamburg are at home to Bochum, while Eintracht Frankfurt host Alemannia Aachen in what promises to be a desperate fight for points between two sides at the wrong end of the table.

On Sunday, sixth-placed Bayer Leverkusen are at home to Arminia Bielefeld, who dragged themselves clear of the relegation fight with last week's win over Bremen.

Fixtures
Saturday (1330 GMT)
Hamburg v Vfl Bochum, Schalke 04 v Nuremberg, Vfb Stuttgart v Mainz 05
Monchengladbach v Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt v Alemannia Aachen, Vfl Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund
Sunday (1500 GMT)
Bayer Leverkusen v Bielefeld, Hertha Berlin v Werder Bremen