Bayern Munich secured a record-breaking fifth consecutive Bundesliga title last weekend. |
Bayern Munich predictably secured a record-breaking fifth consecutive Bundesliga title last weekend, and did so in spectacular fashion with a 6-0 trouncing of fallen giants Wolfsburg. With three gameweeks of Bundesliga football left for the season, Munich’s crowning and the top four are confirmed but Darmstadt are still mathematically capable of staying up after clinching their third win on the trot last weekend. The relegation battle is wide open with at least six clubs all at severe risk of the drop.
Friday 5 May
14/10 Cologne | Draw 49/20 | Werder Bremen 7/4 (20:30)
Cologne held Dortmund to a goalless draw on the road last weekend and while a fine result for the club, has amounted to them scrapping for points recently. The ambition is still there to finish sixth and make it to the Europa League – although it seems unlikely given the fixture run-in. Werder Bremen are riding the crest of a remarkable wave having gone 11 league matches unbeaten, winning nine. They’ve jumped up to sixth place and are only a point behind Hertha Berlin, but have Cologne, Hoffenheim and Dortmund left to face. If they finish fifth they will certainly have earned it. Take the punt on the away win at 7/4.
Saturday 6 May
1/16 Bayern Munich | 10/1 | Darmstadt 25/1 (15:30)
The record-breaking German champions were of course overjoyed with claiming their fifth consecutive Bundesliga title, but as seems to be the common narrative to a Bayern Munich season of late, it was a title tinged with regret. Their controversial Champions League exit coupled with their DFB-Pokal semi-final defeat to Dortmund saw a treble challenge go up in smoke in a matter of days. Darmstadt have won three in a row having not come close to such a run all season. It seems only fitting that Bayern Munich should condemn the club to life in the league below. While I can’t be sure of how hard Bayern will push here, there’s value in backing a rout and I’m tipping Over 4.5 Goals at 9/10.
5/10 Dortmund | 15/4 | Hoffenheim 4/1 (15:30)
Dortmund have still failed to take a firm grip on Champions League football, drawing 0-0 at home to Cologne last week in a rather dull affair at Signal-Iduna-Park. Whether Dortmund’s midweek exertions in Munich had anything to do with a rather lacklustre display is up for speculation. BVB have secured a spot in the top four but would love automatic Champions League qualification, Hoffenheim a point above them and the only club capable of forcing Dortmund into early season fixtures. Hoffenheim claimed three points with a dramatic late winner against Frankfurt and held Dortmund to a draw in the reverse fixture. The home win is still probably the smart bet here at 5/10.
7/10 Monchengladbach | 28/10 | Augsburg 7/2 (15:30)
Monchengladbach ended a two-match league losing streak and put their DFB-Pokal semi-final loss on penalties to Frankfurt behind them with a 2-1 win at Mainz at the weekend. Lars Stindl and Nico Schulz put Monchengladbach in control before conceding a late consolation goal. Halil Altintop scored a brace as Augsburg thrashed Hamburg 4-0 at home and picked up a crucial three points in their bid for survival. Two points above the relegation zone, Augsburg will need to continue scrapping. However, I see Monchengladbach wrapping up the three points at 7/10.
15/10 Ingolstadt | 49/20 | Leverkusen 16/10 (15:30)
Ingolstadt fought for another point to keep their survival hopes alive, holding Leipzig to a goalless draw away from home despite having Alfredo Morales sent off in the 85th minute. They’ve still gone three matches without a win but are moving in the right direction with the visit of a Leverkusen side seemingly devoid of confidence or motivation. Leverkusen were thrashed 4-1 by Schalke at the weekend, going 3-0 down within the first 20 minutes. They’ve won only once in their last 12 matches in all competitions, lying four points above the relegation zone. The home win is again worth the value at 15/10.
15/10 Eintracht Frankfurt | 9/4 | Wolfsburg 18/10 (15:30)
Frankfurt’s hopes of a point away from home were thwarted by a late Hoffenheim goal that meant that Frankfurt left with nothing. They’ll avoid relegation but must muse on a season that could have been. It’s been an awful second half of the season for a club that was threatening to finish in the top four at the turn. The mantra at Wolfsburg is that they will not be giving up. With three matches left and only a point to spare between Wolves and the relegation zone, the 6-0 thrashing at Bayern Munich could hardly have come at a worse time. That kind of defeat will certainly be a knock to the club’s confidence but they simply do not have time to dwell on it. Both Teams to Score is the tip at 15/20.
5/2 Hertha Berlin | 47/20 | Leipzig 21/20 (18:30)
Hertha Berlin’s hopes of a top four finish were all but ended with a 2-0 defeat at Werder Bremen last weekend. Their place in fifth is also at risk with last week’s opponents only a point behind the men from the capital. Their form has varied wildly of late but they have secured points in seven of their last eight home matches. Leipzig were unable to break down Ingolstadt at home last weekend, ending mathematical hopes of a title challenge. Second place in their very first Bundesliga season looks pretty much secure. I like Hertha Berlin on the Double Chance at 6/10.
Sunday 7 May
13/10 Hamburg | 47/20 | Mainz 2/1 (15:30)
Hamburg’s relegation woes deepened with a 4-0 humbling at the hands of fellow strugglers Augsburg last weekend.Currently occupying the promotion/relegation playoff place by virtue of a significant goal difference, Hamburg are running out of time to secure the points they need to survive. Yoshinori Muto netted a late consolation goal as Mainz lost 2-1 at home to Monchengladbach last weekend. It leaves Mainz just a point above relegation and this meeting with their fellow strugglers could be season-defining for both sides. I’m backing Both Teams to Score at 13/20 as both outfits simply have to secure something from this match.
47/20 Freiburg | 49/20 | Schalke 11/10 (17:30)
Freiburg were soundly beaten 3-0 by Darmstadt away from home last weekend, a result that would have disappointed a squad on the brink of Europa League qualification. They’re only a point behind Werder Bremen in sixth and two points behind Hertha Berlin in fifth, with a win over Schalke potentially keeping the club in the European equation. Schalke thrashed Leverkusen 4-1 away from home last weekend, a flurry of goals beginning the match with the Royal Blues going 3-0 up within the first 20 minutes. Last week aside, Schalke have struggled on the road for much of the season, with Freiburg far more confident at home. Freiburg to get a result on the Double Chance at 7/10 is the tip.
TREBLE @ 6/1
Werder Bremen Win 7/4
Dortmund Win 5/10
Monchengladbach Win 7/10
Written by Rick John Henry