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| Bayern Munich’s lead was reduced to eight points last weekend as they were held by Leverkusen. |
Dortmund overcame a traumatic week, their bus attacked prior to the Champions League tie with Monaco that BVB eventually lost 3-2. They needed just two minutes to open the scoring in a routine win against Frankfurt. Still a point behind Hoffenheim in fourth, Dortmund simply can’t afford to be distracted on any front. Bayern Munich drew with Leverkusen last weekend but still lead the Bundesliga by eight points, overturning the deficit with Real Madrid in sharpest focus.
Friday 21 April
39/20 Cologne | Draw 47/20 | Hoffenheim 13/10 (20:30)
Cologne lost 2-1 to Augsburg at the weekend with Philipp Max’s own goal a brief glimmer of hope in an overall flat performance. Cologne have lost three of their last five matches with only two wins from their last 11. Still seventh, if their form continues they’ll find themselves drop out of mid-table. Adam Szalai netted a brace as a precursor to an eight-goal glut as Hoffenheim beat Monchengladbach 5-3 last weekend. The victory keeps Hoffenheim in third-place and on the brink of joining Leipzig as Champions League debutants. However, any slip-ups could easily let Dortmund in. Hoffenheim on the Double Chance at 7/20 is the tip.
Saturday 22 April
1/7 Bayern Munich | 13/2 | Mainz 16/1 (15:30)
Bayern Munich saw their lead at the top of the table reduced to eight points as they were unable to find the back of the net in a wasteful match away at Leverkusen. With Leverkusen reduced to 10 men just before the hour mark, resolute defending and sloppy finishing combined to produce a goalless draw. Nevertheless, I expect another diminished performance with a trip to Real Madrid in midweek the top of Ancelotti’s priorities. Mainz are at serious risk of relegation and only an own goal secured them three points last week against Berlin. Under 3.5 Goals at 15/20 is the bet.
14/10 Hertha Berlin | 22/10 | Wolfsburg 39/20 (15:30)
US international John Brooks netted an own goal as Hertha Berlin fell to a horrible away loss at Mainz in which they did nothing to put pressure on a now almost certain top four. With Freiburg and Cologne hot on their heels, Berlin’s record of four losses in their last five matches does not bode well for keeping fifth place and Europa League qualification. Wolfsburg secured a potentially crucial three points against fellow strugglers Ingolstadt with a 3-0 win at the weekend. It moved Wolves up to 13th, a point clear of the relegation zone. Every fixture has great meaning for the club right now and I fancy Wolfsburg to find a result on the Double Chance at 11/20.
9/20 Hamburg | 34/10 | Darmstadt 57/10 (15:30)
Hamburg will be made to sweat during the close to this season as a 2-1 loss to Werder Bremen at the weekend left the club just a point above the relegation zone. They’ve won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five and have a good chance of claiming three points at home to wretched Darmstadt. The visitors kept their slender hopes of avoiding relegation alive as Jerome Gondorf struck a 92nd-minute winner to claim all three points against Schalke. Nevertheless, one feels it’s too late for Darmstadt to save themselves. Back the home win at 9/20.
12/10 Ingolstadt | 47/20 | Werder Bremen 22/10 (15:30)
Ingolstadt’s league revival was quickly muted in a 3-0 loss to Wolfsburg at the weekend. It leaves Ingolstadt four points shy of Augsburg in the promotion/relegation playoff place and will require something special from their remaining matches, all against top notch opposition. Werder Bremen are now unbeaten in their last 10 matches, claiming a 2-1 win over Hamburg last weekend. They’ve leapt up the table and look to have put their relegation worries behind them. The straight away win looks a good bet but Werder Bremen on the Double Chance is a safer tip at 6/10.
15/20 Eintracht Frankfurt | 49/20 | Augsburg 39/10 (15:30)
Marco Fabian netted a scorcher from 25 yards but Frankfurt were soundly beaten 3-1 by a superior Dortmund side. Frankfurt have now gone 10 straight league matches without a win and have scored only four goals in that period. Considering they were well in touch with Champions League football at the winter break, it’s an extraordinary fall from grace that may prompt a knee-jerk reaction from the club. Augsburg outplayed Cologne at WWK Arena and their 2-1 win gave them hope of escaping relegation this term. Every match and every point is sacred for Augsburg and they’ll sense another opportunity for a result against stricken Frankfurt. Another away result this weekend; the Augsburg Double Chance at even money and too good to pass up.
23/10 Monchengladbach | 26/10 | Dortmund 21/20 (18:30)
Monchengladbach’s four-match unbeaten run came to end with a 5-3 loss at the hands of a rampant Hoffenheim last weekend. It was symptomatic of a disappointing season for the Foals, safe in eighth place but well below par for the club. They’ll face a tough test with the visit of a Dortmund side itching for points no matter which way their midweek fixture against Monaco plays out. They breezed past Frankfurt 3-1 last weekend and will be intent on snatching third place from Hoffenheim.I’m tipping the away win at 21/20.
Sunday 23 April
9/4 Freiburg | 24/10 | Leverkusen 23/20 (15:30)
Freiburg were on the wrong end of a 4-0 trouncing by Leipzig at the weekend but won’t be complaining, retaining sixth in the league and happy to be back at home against a Leverkusen side who have gone 180 minutes without a league goal. Although Leverkusen can find pride from their goalless draw with Bayern Munich with 10 men, there were a lot of chances that went begging that on most occasions would not. Freiburg are a big price for the home win but Leverkusen don’t seem to realise how dire their situation is. Back Freiburg for the upset with a small bet at 9/4.
33/20 Schalke | 23/10 | Leipzig 31/20 (17:30)
Schalke missed a penalty to level proceedings with Darmstadt before finding an equaliser with 15 minutes left. However, Schalke conceded deep into injury time and were beaten 2-1 by the Bundesliga basement boys last weekend. Leipzig steamed to a 4-0 victory over Freiburg and ensured that they would at least be among those required to qualify for the Champions League next year. Eight points clear of Dortmund with five matches left, one must back them to get over the line and make their Champions League debut qualification-free. Schalke are strong at home but I’m tipping yet another away result on the Double Chance at 4/10.
DOUBLE @ 3/1
Augsburg Win/Draw 1/1
Dortmund Win 21/20
Written by Rick John Henry
