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| Bayern Munich’s lead at the top stretched to 10 points after their rivals all dropped points. |
Robert Lewandowski brought up a century of goals for Bayern Munich since joining in 2014, helping seal an easy 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt and take advantage of rival slip-ups. Bayern Munich are now 10 points ahead at the top of the table as both Leipzig and Dortmund fell to defeats. While the relegation zone is by no means decided, the likes of Darmstadt should already be preparing for life a division lower.
Friday 17 March
2/9 Dortmund | Draw 5/1 | Ingolstadt 10/1 (21:30)
Dortmund’s inconsistent Bundesliga season continued against Hertha Berlin last weekend, losing 2-1 in the capital. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stayed on top of the league scoring charts with his 22nd league goal this season, but it was not enough to prevent a stunning free-kick ending Dortmund’s run of four consecutive matches without defeat. Ingolstadt picked up a point at home against Cologne, drawing 2-2 in an entertaining contest. I like Over 2.5 Goals here at 5/10.
Saturday 18 March
11/20 Wolfsburg | 29/10 | Darmstadt 47/10 (16:30)
Struggling Wolfsburg secured all three points against Leipzig after an early Mario Gomez goal was the difference between the two sides. It lifted Wolves three points clear of the relegation zone as they face a must-win scenario this weekend against lowly Darmstadt. The Lillies’ second season in the Bundesliga has not gone to plan and they find themselves bottom of the table and eight points adrift of Hamburg in the relegation playoff place. Back the home win here at 11/20 as Wolfsburg show improvements under Andries Jonker.
5/4 Cologne | 43/20 | Hertha Berlin 9/4 (16:30)
Anthony Modeste continued his extraordinary run of scoring against Ingolstadt – his brace ensured that he is still the only Cologne player to ever score against the club in the Bundesliga – however the Billy Goats twice threw away the lead to draw 2-2. Salomon Kalou’s early goal put Hertha Berlin ahead against Dortmund before Marvin Plattenhardt sealed all three points with a stunning free-kick in the closing stages of the game. Berlin have had the better of this fixture in recent clashes and the away win shows value at 9/4.
12/10 Augsburg | 9/4 | Freiburg 9/4 (16:30)
Augsburg’s fear of a relegation battle was intensified by a 3-0 loss to Schalke last weekend. Augsburg had the chance to reduce arrears from the penalty spot but were denied by a fine Ralf Fahrmann save. Freiburg secured a battling draw against Hoffenheim to remain mid-table and enhance their reputation as a very difficult team to beat this season. They’ve lost only three of their last 12 Bundesliga matches and won’t give in easy here. Freiburg to get something on the Double Chance is the bet at 6/10.
26/10 Werder Bremen | 51/20 | Leipzig 19/20 (16:30)
Werder Bremen somehow gained a point from their trip to Leverkusen, substitute Claudio Pizarro equalising with 11 minutes left on the clock in a match that the hosts dominated. Felix Wiedwald was outstanding in the Werder Bremen goal, saving six of the seven Leverkusen attempts on target as well as a penalty. An up-and-down Ruckrunde continued for Leipzig as they suffered their second home defeat in three matches to fall 10 points behind Bayern Munich in the race for the title. This will be closer than most expect. Both Teams to Score at 6/10 is the tip.
13/10 Hoffenheim | 49/20 | Leverkusen 19/10 (16:30)
Andrej Kramaric scored a sublime goal as Hoffenheim came from behind to draw 1-1 with Freiburg and preserve a four-match unbeaten run. They’re still well in the running for the Champions League and tough matches such as this fixture with Leverkusen will go a long way to defining their season. Leverkusen dominated their match with Werder Bremen but were ultimately made to pay for a penalty miss and shared the spoils. I quite fancy Hoffenheim to grab the home win at 13/10.
23/20 Eintracht Frankfurt | 22/10 | Hamburg 49/20 (19:30)
Eintracht Frankfurt predictably lost 3-0 to Bayern Munich last weekend to prolong the club’s recent run of awful form. The Eagles remain in contention for a Europa League place but suffered their fifth straight defeat and third by this scoreline in their last five away games. Relegation-threatened Hamburg secured back-to-back wins for only the third time this season, coming from behind to beat Monchengladbach 2-1 on home turf. Frankfurt have to pull themselves out of the mess at some stage and this looks like the match to do it. Back the home win at 23/20.
Sunday 19 March
15/10 Mainz | 9/4 | Schalke 7/4 (16:30)
Mainz fell to a shock 2-1 loss to basement boys Darmstadt last weekend, Robin Quaison halving the deficit but unable to overturn the result in a second-half marred by ill-discipline. Mainz are at little risk of relegation but a prolonged losing streak could easily change that. Schalke thumped Augsburg 3-0 to ease their relegation pressure, pulling four points clear of the drop zone. Schalke scored all of their goals in the first half to put the match to bed before the second period. I like Schalke for a least a point here on the Double Chance at 9/20.
13/2 Monchengladbach | 38/10 | Bayern Munich 7/20 (18:30)
Andreas Christensen put Monchengladbach in front against struggling Hamburg, but the home side fought back and the Foals left with nothing. A disappointing season sees the club mid-table and looking lacklustre. Bayern Munich eased to a 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at the Allianz Arena as Robert Lewandowski reached an important milestone with goals either side of half-time. Douglas Costa was also on target as the Bavarians went 10 points clear at the top of the table with little risk of being caught. Take the away win at 7/20.
DOUBLE @ 2/1
Eintracht Frankfurt Win 23/20
Bayern Munich Win 7/20
Written by Rick John Henry
