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| The Bundesliga returns, and while we’re still in the early stages, we could expect a few upsets. |
Club football returns as round three of the German Bundesliga kicks off this Friday. To no surprise, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich sit in first and second place respectively, while Hamburg and Hannover are joint-tied with the two giants, all on six points. Last season’s surprise-packages, Leipzig, lie seventh in the standings, surrounded by the rest of the teams on three points. There’s always value in the Bundesliga, and with the league still being in its early stages, we could expect a few upsets.
Friday 8 September
31/10 Hamburg | Draw 51/20 | Leipzig 17/20 (20:30)
Hamburg have started the season off brilliantly, recording two victories in their opening two games, being one of only four teams to have a 100% record. Leipzig, a side many expect to do well again this season, haven’t been their usual selves. In fact, they remind me a lot of the Leicester City of last season. Now that they’re in the Champions League, they could throw all their eggs in that basket, proving to be vulnerable in the Bundesliga. Hamburg are the form side and I’m backing them at a valuable 31/10.
Saturday 9 September
9/10 Monchengladbach | 5/2 | Eintracht Frankfurt 31/10 (15:30)
Monchengladbach sit sixth on the Bundesliga standings after their impressive start to the campaign, gaining four points from their two matches played. Frankfurt, on the other hand, haven’t been too convincing. The travellers have earned just a single point so far, taking a share of the spoils in their trip to Freiburg. Gladbach may have lost Andreas Christensen to Chelsea, but Matthias Ginter is a replacement more than capable of filling the void left by the Danish international. Get on the home win at 9/10!
14/10 Augsburg | 22/10 | Cologne 2/10 (15:30)
Augsburg and Cologne battle it out in a bottom-half clash at the Augsburg Arena. Both sides are still searching for their first win of the campaign, however, the hosts have been better off, claiming a point in their last encounter. Cologne have been dismal so far, and they still have the UEFA Europa League to turn their attentions to in midweek against Arsenal. I’m going for Augsburg on the Double Chance & Under 2.5 Goals at 12/10.
8/10 Wolfsburg | 51/20 | Hannover 34/10 (15:30)
Wolfsburg bounced back nicely before the international break, claiming a much-needed 1-0 win away to Frankfurt. Before that, the Wolves were smashed 3-0 at home by high-flying Borussia Dortmund. Hannover have been impressive with two wins from their opening two games. Andre Breitenreiter’s side have claimed two 1-0 victories to put themselves up there with the big boys – for now. Call me crazy, but I’m backing Wolves to come out on top here!
37/20 Mainz | 24/10 | Bayer Leverkusen 14/10 (15:30)
Mainz will hope to turn their dismal start to the campaign around when they host Bayer Leverkusen this Saturday. The hosts are one of three teams to have lost both their matches played so far, but, unlike the others, they haven’t embarrassed themselves, missing out by two 1-0 scorelines. South African-born defender, Panagiotis Retsos, could make his debut for Leverkusen. Along with some other fine young players, Leverkusen could be on the right path to having one of the best teams in the country – that is if they don’t lose their players to bigger clubs. I quite like the look of Leverkusen on the Double Chance at 4/10.
6/1 Freiburg | 38/10 | Dortmund 4/10 (15:30)
It gets worse for lowly-placed Freiburg, who host table-toppers, Borussia Dortmund, this weekend. Freiburg were smashed 4-1 before the international break by Leipzig, and against another free-flowing attacking side, they could struggle. Dortmund have scored five goals without reply this season, and have last season’s Golden Boot winner, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, in their ranks. This should be one-way traffic from the get-go. Back Dortmund and include in all multiples.
47/10 Hoffenheim | 38/10 | Bayern Munich 9/20 (18:30)
Hoffenheim take on champions, Bayern Munich, in what is undoubtedly the tie of the round. Hoffenheim missed out on a UEFA Champions League spot a fortnight ago, meaning Thursday night football for them this season. Bayern Munich have dominated this league in recent years and will be targeting a record 27th Bundesliga title. Carlo Ancelotti’s Bavarians are unstoppable when on the attack, and once slight piece of nervousness from Hoffenheim and Bayern will pounce! I only see one winner here; back the visitors at 9/20.
Sunday 10 September
9/10 Hertha Berlin | 51/20 | Werder Bremen 29/10 (15:30)
Hertha Berlin have had an up-and-down start to the campaign. The Old Lady claimed a 2-0 win on the opening day at home to Stuttgart, but then suffered the same scoreline defeat at Dortmund. Werder Bremen are rooted to the bottom of the table, conceding three goals without reply. Alexander Nouri’s side did the double over Hertha Berlin last season, but times have changed, and I’m expecting things to go much different. Back the home side at 9/10.
15/20 Schalke | 11/4 | Stuttgart 34/10 (18:00)
Schalke take on Stuttgart in a mid-table clash in the final match of the round. The hosts won their only home game so far, beating Leipzig 2-0 on the opening day. Stuttgart bounced back from their opening day defeat, edging out Mainz by a 1-0 scoreline. The Royal Blues have lost some key players, but still have the quality to finish high up the table. Schalke have an impressive head-to-head record over the travellers and I’m expecting them to come good again. Back the home win at 15/20!
TREBLE @ 4/1
Monchengladbach Win 9/10
Bayern Munich Win 9/20
Schalke Win 15/20
Written by Jesse Nagel
