Here we go again! The German Bundesliga kicks off on Friday evening with the reigning champions, Bayern Munich, opening proceedings. Will it be cut and dry for the Bavarians? Or can anyone step up and genuinely challenge the defending champions for the last seven seasons! Only time will tell and we have an exciting 34 round fixture list to get through. Let’s find out what’s good on the betting front this weekend.
Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore
Friday 16 August
Bayern Munich 1/5
Draw 57/10
Hertha Berlin 12/1
(20:30)
The funny thing about this contest is that on paper it looks as though Bayern Munich should wipe the floor with Hertha Berlin but in hindsight, the Old Lady has lost just once to the Bavarians in the last five meetings, winning once and the sides sharing the spoils on three occasions. Nonetheless, I don’t have the guts to go against the defending champions in their first game of the season. They will be looking to make a statement and should do just that. Back Bayern Munich to Score in Both Halves – Yes – at 7/10!
Saturday 17 August
Werder Bremen 15/20
Draw 29/10
Dusseldorf 34/10
(15:30)
Werder Bremen will look to improve on last season’s eighth place finish but should find the going tough against Dusseldorf who ended the 2018/19 campaign midtable – something any newly-promoted team can be proud of. An end-to-end game of football is on the cards and the Totals market looks the way to go. Get on Over 2.5 Goals at 13/20.
Bayer Leverkusen 7/20
Draw 17/4
Paderborn 7/1
(15:30)
Bayer Leverkusen are always going to be tough to beat on home soil and against a newly-promoted team, they look a certainty to bag all three points. Paderborn struggled on the road last term with just six wins from 17 matches. Neither of these teams had particularly good pre-seasons but the hosts are expected to get the job done. However, I do expect at least three goals to be scored between these sides. The Total Goals (Aggregated) market looks tempting – 2-3 Goals – at 12/10.
Wolfsburg 17/20
Draw 11/4
Cologne 29/10
(15:30)
Wolfsburg showed a lack of consistency last season which killed off their chances of playing UEFA Champions League football. Cologne were crowned champions of the German 2.Bundesliga after a brilliant season and will be hoping to build on that. They were impressive on their travels and out of the newcomers, I’m backing them to shine brightest. A cagey affair looks likely with Cologne tipped on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 17/20.
Freiburg 23/20
Draw 24/10
Mainz 23/10
(15:30)
Freiburg finished just eight points clear of the relegation/promotion play-off spot last season and registered only six wins from a possible 17 at home. Mainz might have finished only one spot above their opponents in the league last term but they were also seven points better. The Carnival Club won both meetings against Freiburg last season – 1-3 and 5-0 – and I’m backing them to make it three on the spin. Mainz are excellent value to come away with maximum points at 23/10!
Dortmund 2/9
Draw 52/10
Augsburg 10/1
(15:30)
Borussia Dortmund’s team are not as complete as Bayern Munich’s but have great potential. BVB pushed the Bavarians all the way last season and at one stage were the team to beat after the defending champions stuttered in the opening stages of the 2018/19 season. Augsburg placed 15th out of the 18 teams last term with just three victories from 17 travels. Back Dortmund on the (-1) Handicap at 6/10.
Monchengladbach 21/20
Draw 51/20
Schalke 24/10
(18:30)
One of the more exciting fixtures will see Monchengladbach take on Schalke on Saturday evening. The Borussians were excellent on their ground last season, while the Royal Blues seemed to battle throughout the campaign. Six of the last seven meetings between these sides have seen both teams find the back of the net. With that being said, I’m backing ‘Gladbach to win on the Matchbet & Both Teams to Score – Yes – at 26/10.
Sunday 18 August
Eintracht Frankfurt 29/20
Draw 26/10
Hoffenheim 33/20
(15:30)
Just three points separated these teams after last season’s 34-round marathon and both sides were exciting to bet on. The Eagles edged both meetings last season – 3-2 and 1-2 – which shows how exciting those matchups were. I’m expecting this contest to be a bit cagier with it being the opening round of the season. The Under 2.5 Goals market is tipped at 27/20.
Union Berlin 34/10
Draw 29/10
Leipzig 15/20
(18:00)
Just a few seasons ago, Leipzig were a newly-promoted side and now they are one of the strongest teams in the Bundesliga taking on a newcomer. Union Berlin were promoted after finishing third in the first division before overcoming Stuttgart in the relegation/promotion battle. Although I applaud them for that feat, the Red Bulls should be a tad too strong for them. Leipzig are tipped to bag all three points in the final match of the weekend.
TREBLE @ 7/2
Werder Bremen vs Dusseldorf Over 2.5 Goals 13/20
Borussia Dortmund (-1) Handicap 6/10
Leipzig Win 15/20
Written by Aaron Crowie