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| As we head into round seven of the German Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund lead the pack by two points |
As we head into round seven of the German Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund lead the pack, followed by Hoffenheim and then Bayern Munich. The reigning champions have been dropping unnecessary points in the opening stages of the 2017/18 campaign and will be desperate to turn things around before their title-rivals get too far ahead. Let’s find out what’s worth backing this weekend.
Friday 29 September
15/10 Schalke | Draw 49/20 | Bayer Leverkusen 17/10 (20:30)
Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen square off in the opening match of the weekend. The Royal Blues have been poor of late with back-to-back losses, conceding five times without scoring. Bayer Leverkusen returned to winning ways last time out, claiming a 3-1 home win over Hamburg. Looking at the head-to-head stats, Leverkusen have won the last three meetings away to Schalke. A tight affair is on the cards, but the away win offers too much value to pass up.
Saturday 30 September
7/10 Monchengladbach | 29/10 | Hannover 7/2 (15:30)
Monchengladbach will take on high-flying Hannover on Saturday afternoon. The home side are off the back of a disappointing 6-1 humbling at the hands of a rampant Dortmund side. Hannover are unbeaten with three wins and three draws from six games. The price of the away team to win is as good as it gets. However, I just can’t trust these newly-promoted sides with my money. Get on the Win/Draw Double Chance for safe measure at 21/20.
57/10 Augsburg | 38/10 | Borussia Dortmund 4/10 (15:30)
Augsburg and Dortmund are next up to do battle. The Fuggerstadter are unbeaten in their last five matches with three wins. BVB are the top of the standings after six matches with five wins, scoring 19 goals and conceding just once. The sides have drew both their meetings 1-1 last season and another close matchup is on the cards. However, I feel Dortmund are playing at the top of their game and should do enough to see off their opponents.
17/20 Eintracht Frankfurt | 51/20 | Stuttgart 31/10 (15:30)
Eintracht Frankfurt have been below-par thus far and will be desperate to capitalize on home advantage when they play host to Stuttgart on Saturday. The Eagles, despite going down 2-1 at Leipzig last time out, showed great fighting spirit and will be looking to improve on that. The only difference between Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart is the goal-difference. Neither side have been prolific in front of the nets, with the Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – tipped at 8/10.
21/20 Wolfsburg | 24/10 | Mainz 26/10 (15:30)
Wolfsburg were superb last time out, holding Bayern Munich to a 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena. The stalemate does, however, stretch their winless run to four matches. Mainz have been horrid with four losses from six matches, including both their away matches without scoring and conceding five. It’s all about home advantage for the Wolves and after that excellent result at the Bavarians last time out, the Wolves look good value for money. The home win should be backed.
33/20 Hamburg | 23/10 | Werder Bremen 16/10 (18:30)
Saturday’s final fixture pits Hamburg up against Werder Bremen. The Red Shorts have been dismal in recent weeks with four consecutive losses, conceding 10 goals without reply. Werder Bremen are yet to win a match, scoring just three times. Both teams will feel strongly about their chances of claiming all three points. I’m expecting the sides to attack the game and with that in mind, the Both Teams to Score – Yes – is tipped at 13/20.
Sunday 1 October
26/10 Freiburg | 26/10 | Hoffenheim 19/20 (13:30)
Freiburg and Hoffenheim will clash in a lunch-time kick-off on Sunday afternoon. The relegation-threatened home side are without a win, scoring a measly two goals and conceding nine times. Hoffenheim are unbeaten with four wins from six matches. Five of the last six meetings between the sides have ended in a draw. However, Hoffenheim are chasing the title and will be up for the challenge. Back the away team to edge the win.
7/1 Hertha Berlin | 17/4 | Bayern Munich 7/20 (15:30)
Hertha Berlin have picked up just where they left off last season, performing week-in and week-out on home soil but failing to do the same on their travels. Bayern Munich haven’t been their usual devastating selves and come up against an organised team capable of pulling off an upset. Hertha Berlin held the Bavarians to a 1-1 draw last season and they are tipped to go one better this time around. I like the look of the Under 2.5 Goals market but I’m going to live on the edge and have a small punt on the home win at 7/1.
26/10 Cologne | 5/2 | Leipzig 1/1 (18:00)
Cologne have been dreadful this season and currently find themselves at the foot of the table without a win, suffering five defeats, scoring just once and conceding 13 times. Leipzig have been average at best this term but will be hopeful of making it back-to-back wins against Cologne after claiming a 2-1 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend. A narrow win for the Red Bulls is tipped.
TREBLE @ 10/1
Bayer Leverkusen Win 17/10
Hannover Win/Draw 21/20
Wolfsburg Win 21/20
Written by Aaron Crowie
