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| Although Bayern Munich already have the Bundesliga title all sewn up, there’s still plenty at stake. |
Bayern Munich already have the Bundesliga title all sewn up, and last weekend claimed a narrow victory to prompt the first league relegation. Plucky Darmstadt missed a penalty and made the inevitable drop, an eventuality the club were merely delaying over the past few weeks. The race for automatic Champions League as well as Europa League qualification is still very much alive, while there is still plenty to be decided at the bottom of the Bundesliga table.
Saturday 13 May
9/10 Leverkusen | Draw 26/10 | Cologne 26/10 (15:30)
Leverkusen’s woes continued as a truly awful season was highlighted by a fifth consecutive match without a win. Leverkusen drew 1-1 on the road at Ingolstadt, equalising five minutes after conceding the opening goal in the 73rd minute. Four points above the relegation zone, the draw was probably enough to keep Leverkusen safe – but only just. Cologne ended Werder Bremen’s fantastic run of form, winning 4-3 at home in a thrilling fixture last weekend. Anthony Modeste scored a brace to take his league goal tally to 25. Leverkusen haven’t won at home in six matches while Cologne haven’t won away in seven. I think a smart bet is for Cologne to win either of the halves at 12/10.
1/1 Schalke | 51/20 | Hamburg 24/10 (15:30)
Schalke’s up-and-down season continued with a 2-0 defeat on the road at Freiburg. Comfortable in mid-table, the Royal Blues have only relegation strugglers Hamburg and Ingolstadt left to face this season. Needless to say, Schalke can still have an impact on the makeup of next season’s Bundesliga. Hamburg plucked a point from a goalless draw with fellow promotion/relegation spot candidates Mainz. With a large goal difference between the two, the draw suited Mainz better. It’s now or never for Hamburg. But I can’t look past the home win at even money.
7/10 Mainz | 11/4 | Eintracht Frankfurt 36/10 (15:30)
Mainz emerged slightly better from a goalless draw with fellow relegation candidates Hamburg last weekend. It’s do-or-die time for a club that will feel that they should be better placed given their position last season. Frankfurt have endured a torrid second half of the campaign and rolled over and lost 2-0 to relegation threatened Wolfsburg last weekend. Frankfurt have won only one of their last 13 league matches and an appearance in the DFB-Pokal final – they will have to beat Dortmund to claim the trophy – surely won’t be considered success for a side that could easily have challenge for a place in Europe. Put your money on the home win at 11/10.
9/10 Wolfsburg | 26/10 | Monchengladbach 11/4 (15:30)
Wolfsburg picked themselves up following a humiliating loss to Bayern Munich to win 2-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend. Wolfsburg could scarcely have picked up a more important three points at this stage of the season. The fallen giants are two points clear of the relegation zone and their top flight fate is in their own hands. Monchengladbach drew 1-1 with Augsburg last weekend, securing a late point through an Andre Hahn stoppage time goal. The Foals will still harbour hopes of sneaking into a Europa League place, two points off the pace. Bet for Both Teams to Score at 11/20.
11/2 Augsburg | 38/10 | Dortmund 4/10 (15:30)
Augsburg took the lead against Monchengladbach last weekend through Alfred Finnbogason but could not hold on and were made to share the spoils. The point sees the club two points off the relegation zone and they will know that they simply must get something from this home fixture, going on the road to Hoffenheim next weekend. This will not be easy with the visit of a Dortmund side intent on securing automatic Champions League qualification. BVB leapfrogged Hoffenheim into third last weekend with a 2-1 victory away from home. I’m tipping the club to grab three points away from home again at 4/10.
18/10 Werder Bremen | 11/4 | Hoffenheim 5/4 (15:30)
Werder Bremen’s phenomenal 11-match unbeaten streak came to an end at the hands of Cologne last weekend, losing 4-3 away from home in a cracking match. Going two down, Bremen recovered to equalise before conceding again before half-time. Cologne began the second period strongly and netted again and despite a Serge Gnabry effort, Werder Bremen could not find another. Andrej Kramaric pulled one back for Hoffenheim from the spot, but it was not enough to prevent a 2-1 home loss to Dortmund. Hoffenheim are guaranteed a spot in the top four and will perhaps settle for that. I’m tipping Werder Bremen to get a result on the Double Chance at 9/20.
26/10 Darmstadt | 24/10 | Hertha Berlin 1/1 (15:30)
Darmstadt were officially relegated last weekend following a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich, missing a late penalty that would have made no difference in the club taking the drop. Darmstadt had shown signs of life over the past few weeks, attempting to avoid relegation in vain. In truth, it was too little too late for Darmstadt. Hertha Berlin have struggled for results of late, losing six of their last eight matches and going down 4-1 at home to Leipzig last weekend. The results have put their place in the Europa League in severe jeopardy. I’m tipping Under 2.5 Goals here at 17/20.
14/10 Freiburg | 24/10 | Ingolstadt 18/10 (15:30)
Freiburg secured a comfortable 2-0 victory against an inconsistent Schalke and by virtue have leapt up to fifth on the table, a truly sensational achievement to be among Europa League qualification for the promoted club. Ingolstadt claimed a point against Leverkusen last weekend in a 1-1 draw that will delay what looks like an inevitable relegation. Things look bleak for Ingolstadt after Wolfsburg and Augsburg both claimed three points at the weekend. Four points off the promotion/relegation spot, Ingolstadt will need something miraculous to beat the drop. Freiburg should feel desperate to hold onto fifth and I’m tipping them not to be beat on the Double Chance at 9/20.
29/10 Leipzig | 28/10 | Bayern Munich 8/10 (15:30)
Leipzig guaranteed a top-three finish in their debut Bundesliga season with a 4-1 win over Hertha Berlin in the capital, Timo Werner and Davie Selke both scoring braces in the rout. It was their 20th victory of the season, a Bundesliga record for a promoted club and will see them compete in the Champions League next season. Bayern Munich have already completed a record fifth consecutive Bundesliga title and this match has very little relevance for either side. How this one plays out is difficult to predict but with so much firepower in both squads, Both Teams to Score at 5/10 seems a worthy bet.
DOUBLE @ 2/1
Freiburg Win/Draw 9/20
Schalke Win 1/1
Written by Rick John Henry
