The league of excellence returns after a major hiatus. A host of spicy encounters are on the cards before Bayer Leverkusen and Monchengladbach close the curtain in Germany.
Friday 20 December
13/5 RB Leipzig | Draw 3/1 | Bayern Munich 87/100 (19:30)
What a banger to kick off the gameweek – RB Leipzig hosts the juggernauts Bayern Munich. The past has not been kind to the Red Bull side losing each of their last four encounters against Bayern. However, Leipzig’s last four fixtures have all been impressive wins with a strike force of Christopher Nkunku and the reinvigorated Timo Werner. The home side boasts a good threat in the front of the park, but we all know the quality Bayern Munich possesses. The only thing with Bayern is their slow start when there has been a break. I’m hesitant to back Bayern and the Both Teams to Score (YES) market is the play 8/15.
Saturday 21 December
4/11 Eintracht Frankfurt | Draw 21/5 | Schalke 13/2 (14:30)
Eintracht Frankfurt has had a good run after last season’s successes, currently sitting fourth on the Bundesliga table seven points from the log leaders. The home side will be confident in finding the back of the net, scoring 16 in their last six league encounters, while Schalke hugs the bottom of the table. The home side is a banker.
6/5 Union Berlin | Draw 23/10 | Hoffenheim 9/4 (14:30)
If there’s one thing about Union Berlin, when playing it at home it is wild to back against them. Union boasts just one win in the league in their last five but has not lost on home soil over 13 fixtures. The away side sits midtable, and it is all down to their recent form, and hopes of recouping over the break might just be killed in one swoop. Back the home side.
11/8 Stuttgart | Draw 12/5 | Mainz 19/10 (14:30)
There is some distance on the table between Stuttgart and Mainz, but a weak form is attached to both sides. When such happens, I tend to stay out of the fixture, especially after a break – you can never know what sort of confidence and structure to expect. The under market might be favourable when considering both teams to scoring form: back Additional Totals Under 2.5 at even money.
27/20 Bochum | Draw 5/2 | Hertha Berlin 15/8 (14:30)
In an array of Saturday afternoon fixtures, this might be the most tightly contested. Bochum sits 15th on 14 points and travelling side Bochum is 17th on 13 points. Neither side has shown a positive run of form or goal-scoring attributes to consider, and a cautious approach in a high-stakes fixture can pay off. The Double Chance Home/Draw at 2/5.
6/4 Wolfsburg | Draw 23/10 | Freiburg 7/4 (14:30)
Wolfsburg has a tough task on their hands when they welcome second-placed Freiburg. The home side is just seven points off their opponents and can be confident heading into the fixture as both sides are looking to recommence their efforts after a lengthy break. Wolfsburg’s home form has been its point accumulator this campaign and although they’re not favourites, the punt heads in their favour.
23/20 Cologne | Draw 13/5 | Werder Bremen 2/1 (17:30)
Cologne ended off proceedings on a rather sketchy note, scoring just two goals in their last five and failing to register a win. The travelling side faced RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich in their final two between games before the break suffering tough defeats, but Cologne is a side they can triumph against. Werder Bremen on the Draw/Win Double Chance is the play here at 4/6.
Sunday 22 January
32/100 Borussia Dortmund | Draw 21/5 | Augsburg 13/2 (14:30)
Kicking off one of two fixtures on Sunday in the Bundesliga, Signal Iduna Park plays host to Augsburg. The odds are short, and the bookies have not made a mistake. In 11 total fixtures at home, Dortmund has lost just one fixture to Augsburg, scoring 31 goals in 23 matches played. Put Dortmund in all multiples.
13/8 Monchengladbach | Draw 14/5 | Bayer Leverkusen 13/10 (16:30)
Closing out gameweek 16 is a tasty affair between Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen. The away side have surprisingly won four of the last five trips to M’Gladbach, so the value in backing the away side is something I am willing to tackle in a little cheeky bet.
