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| Borussia Dortmund lead defending champions Bayern Munich by five points after seven games |
The Bundesliga returns and neutral fans will be excited to see underdogs Borussia Dortmund leading the pack by five points after just seven games. Bayern Munich have been slightly off the pace compared to their usually dominating selves which has lead to the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti and the reappointment of legendary Bavarian boss Jupp Heynckes. That’s enough catching up for now, nine legs await us this weekend so let’s get stuck in.
Friday 13 October
1/1 Stuttgart | Draw 24/10 | Cologne 28/10 (20:30)
Stuttgart have made an expected slow start to the new campaign with just two wins from seven games, scoring a measly four goals. Cologne have been worse as they remain bottom of the log with six losses from seven games, scoring twice and conceding 15 times. This is a must-win game for both teams so you can expect an end-to-end game of football. Both Teams to Score looks a promising bet at 17/20.
Saturday 14 October
14/10 Hannover | 21/10 | Eintracht Frankfurt 2/1 (15:30)
Hannover have struggled of late despite making a bright start to the campaign. They do, however, remain unbeaten at home with two wins and a draw after three games. Eintracht Frankfurt have been inconsistent to say the least but to their credit, they have been decent on their travels and should push Hannover all the way. I’m jumping on the Both Teams to Score – Yes – market at 19/20.
15/20 Hoffenheim | 11/4 | Augsburg 33/10 (15:30)
Hoffenheim suffered a 3-2 loss at Freiburg before the break but will gladly return to home soil this weekend where they remain unbeaten with three wins from four games, scoring six goals and conceding just once. Augsburg have battled to maintain winning form, making them a difficult team to predict. They are without a win against Hoffenheim in the last four meetings with three defeats and I don’t see that improving. The home win should be backed.
7/10 Mainz | 26/10 | Hamburg 39/10 (15:30)
Mainz and Hamburg have both been poor with just two wins from seven games – only goal difference separates them. Both sides played to stalemates last time out and will know that maximum points are a necessity against the weaker opposition in the league. A low-scoring affair is on the cards and Under 2.5 Goals is tipped at 8/10.
16/10 Hertha Berlin | 22/10 | Schalke 18/10 (15:30)
Hertha Berlin are unbeaten at home with two wins and two draws from four games, including a well-deserved and hard-earned 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich prior to the international break. Schalke are winless in their last three games with two defeats. They have lost the last two meetings away to Hertha and judging by their terrible record on the road, that trend looks set to continue. The home win is tipped.
1/14 Bayern Munich | 10/1 | Freiburg 25/1 (15:30)
It’s all about playing catch up for Bayern Munich now. Manager Jupp Heynckes – who will take charge until the end of the season – knows just how to make the Bavarian giants tick and I wouldn’t be surprised if they open a can of whipping in his first game in charge. Players will be looking to impress the new boss with slight changes expected to be made to the team. There’s not much to say about Freiburg with an onslaught almost inevitable on Saturday afternoon. Over 1.5 Goals to be scored in both halves is tipped at 13/10.
11/20 Borussia Dortmund | 7/2 | Leipzig 17/4 (18:30)
The biggest match of the weekend will see Dortmund square off against Leipzig in Saturday’s final fixture. BVB will be determined not to surrender their spot at the summit with Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim and Leipzig hot on their heels. The home side are unbeaten with six wins from seven matches, scoring 21 goals and conceding just twice. Leipzig made a slow start to the season but have made up some ground. Nonetheless, I just don’t see them keeping Dortmund at Bay. The home win is on the cards.
Sunday 15 October
11/20 Bayer Leverkusen | 33/10 | Wolfsburg 17/4 (15:30)
Bayer Leverkusen have won back-to-back home games, scoring seven goals without conceding. Wolfsburg are winless in their last five matches. This has been one of the highest scoring fixtures in recent seasons with the last eight meetings seeing a total of 37 goals scored between the sides at an average of 4.62 goals per game. I’m tempted to go high but I’d rather win some money than no money – get on the Over 2.5 Goals market at 11/20.
16/10 Werder Bremen | 5/2 | Monchengladbach 31/20 (18:00)
Werder Bremen are placed second from bottom of the log without a win after seven matches, scoring just three goals. Monchengladbach ground out a hard-fought 2-1 home win over Hannover last time out and will be hoping to build on that. However, they are yet to claim maximum points on the road, scoring five goals and conceding double that amount (10). Both sides will be up for the fight and I’m expecting both teams to find the back of the net at 11/20.
TREBLE @ 6/1
Hannover vs Frankfurt BTTS 19/20
Bayern vs Freiburg Both Halves Over 1.5 Goals 13/10
Leverkusen vs Wolfsburg Over 2.5 Goals 11/20
Written by Aaron Crowie
