Schalke’s 33-year Bundesliga run ended after a 0-1 away loss to Bielefeld, with head coach Dimitrios Grammaozis stating, “This is a very bitter hour for all Schalke supporters.”
Cologne rose to the occasion with their first ever 2-1 home victory over RB Leipzig, to almost close the door on the Red Bull team’s title hopes.
The remaining fighters in the relegation battle with four fixtures left are from 11th placed Augsburg to 17th placed Cologne.
Hertha Berlin are in limbo with three of their fixtures being postponed due to most of their players testing positive for COVID-19.
Bayern Munich are three points and one win away from their 27th Bundesliga title since its inception in 1963.
Friday 23 April
Augsburg 19/10
Draw 22/10
Cologne 15/10
(20:30)
Cologne pulled off what we love to see in football, the underdog stealing a win against ‘the big team,’ in a 2-1 home win over RB Leipzig. They have four more games to pull themselves out of the dumps of relegation and the beginning of the end comes in the shape of Augsburg. Heiko Herrlich needs to rally his team to three more points in this fixture and hope for a Hertha Berlin loss or draw when the team return from quarantine to secure their place in the Bundesliga. Cologne have ‘more to play’ for, but Augsburg will get the job done and not wait for exterior results.
Saturday 24 April
Wolfsburg 21/10
Draw 29/10
Borussia Dortmund 11/10
(15:30)
Wolfsburg hosting Borussia Dortmund is the most competitive fixture for the weekend. The fan favourite Black and Yellows take it to the Volkswagen Arena with 12 goals in their last five fixtures on the road. Die Wolfe have been impeccable at home with their only loss in 14 fixtures coming at the hands of Bayern Munich. As Borussia look to steal Wolfsburg’s fourth place you can bet there will be Over 2.5 goals at 11/20.
Freiburg 33/20
Draw 5/2
Hoffenheim 15/10
(15:30)
Freiburg’s last victory was a 4-0 home knocking out of Schalke. Prior to that victory, the Breisgau-Brazilians lost two back-to-back against Borussia Monchengladbach and Arminia Bielefeld. The home team are without their first-choice midfielder Baptiste Santamaria. Hoffenheim, on the other hand, were on a five-game winless streak, before defeating Monchengladbach, a team that participated in the Champions League this season. However, Sebastian Hoeneb is without nine players to choose from due to injury, and illness. The home team are not favourite in the bookies eyes but should be backed in this fixture.
Union Berlin 9/10
Draw 49/20
Werder Bremen 32/10
(15:30)
After going down to a sixth successive defeat in a midweek fixture against Mainz, Werder Bremen are in battle against demotion. Union Berlin are clear of relegation and are fighting for pride in their remaining fixtures. The Berlin based club are without four players, including two key attacking players, Taiwo Awoniyi and Dutch forward Sheraldo Becker. Werder Bremen do not have an easy run ahead of this fixture, and this becomes a must win, before The River Islanders go on to face Leipzig, Leverkusen, Augsburg and M’Gladbach. The home team will put the first nail in the coffin against Werder at 9/10.
Mainz 7/1
Draw 48/10
Bayern Munich 3/10
(15:30)
A win against Mainz will see Bayern Munich lift the Bundesliga Meisterschale. The home team will not be a pushover, winning four and drawing two of their last six league matches. However, the team in question are going to be measured and unstoppable. The Bavarians have won seven of their last eight, with one draw in that mix. In their last four fixtures, Munich have scored 20 goals against Mainz, and that should be included in your decision making when you punt. Bayern Munich to win the title, and score Over 3.5 at 9/10.
Bayer Leverkusen 5/4
Draw 11/4
Eintracht Frankfurt 19/10
(18:30)
Bayer Leverkusen take on Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, with the visitors looking to cement their position in the Champions League qualification places. Leverkusen, meanwhile, remain four points clear in sixth spot, which should be enough to qualify for the Europa League next season. Leverkusen have won back-to-back at home, and you can punt a third victory.
Sunday 25 April
RB Leipzig 7/20
Draw 42/10
Stuttgart 58/10
(15:30)
RB Leipzig have slipped up towards the end of the season and have let the league go. In their last fixture they lost to Cologne and will be coming through for redemption. They now face Stuttgart who they have never lost to in five previous ties. Stuttgart are on the back of three losses in a row. Back the Red Bulls to win.
Borussia Monchengladbach 6/10
Draw 3/1
Arminia Bielefeld 44/10
(18:00)
Arminia Bielefeld are three points outside relegation, and they will undoubtedly make life difficult for Borussia Monchengladbach. Arminia have not put a back to back win in the Bundesliga since 2007, and their last matchup was a win against now relegated Schalke. Borussia Monchengladbach will take three points against Bielefeld.
Wednesday 12 May
Schalke 33/10
Draw 11/4
Hertha Berlin 8/10
(15:30)
It has been a horrid season for Schalke fans, besides not being able to support their team from within the stands, they have been relegated for the first time in over three decades. Ex-players, such as Mesut Ozil and Leroy Sane have taken to social media to send out their sentiments on the sad occasion. Hertha Berlin’s squad are back from quarantine after an undisclosed number of players contracting COVID-19. The Berlin based club are still in battle against relegation and that alone will help me put faith in the team alongside their last five results being two wins, two draws, and a single loss against Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park which is no shame. Put your faith in Hertha Berlin’s fight.
QUAD @ 18/1
Augsburg Win 19/10
Union Berlin Win 9/10
Bayern Munich & Over 3.5 Goals 9/10
Hertha Berlin Win 8/10
Written by Joshua Gaillard