Log leaders across Europe’s top five leagues seem to be crumbling. The Bundesliga is going down to the wire for the first time in years and offers value for us punters.
Friday 21 April
Augsburg 85/40 | Draw 13/5 | Stuttgart 23/20 (19:30)
Friday’s Bundesliga action begins in the south of Germany where Augsburg and Stuttgart tussle it out to remain in the topflight. With just five points between 14th-placed Augsburg and the 16th Stuttgart, this could be a defining moment for either side. Augsburg have been far better on home soil, and the Win/Draw Double Chance is a decent play.
Saturday 22 April
Bochum 19/10 | Draw 5/2 | Wolfsburg 13/10 (14:30)
Bochum battled to a draw against Union Berlin in the German capital. The visitors fought back against the 10-man hosts thanks to Kevin Stöger’s second-half penalty. A draw of such magnitude in the attempt to survive the drop bodes well heading into a fixture against Wolfsburg whom they lost 4-0 to back in October. The draw is a likely outcome.
Hertha Berlin 6/5 | Draw 12/5 | Werder Bremen 2/1 (14:30)
Hertha Berlin mathematically still has a chance to stay afloat, but the window is closing quicker after every blow of the final whistle. The 5-2 loss to Schalke really cements Hertha to the bottom of the table. Back Werder Bremen.
Hoffenheim 11/10 | Draw 5/2 | Cologne 85/40 (14:30)
While not cut and dry, Hoffenheim’s run of three straight wins and recent 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena leads me to back the in-form team here. The home side offers great value.
Mainz 21/5 | Draw 7/2 | Bayern Munich 11/20 (14:30)
Without considering recent DFB Pokal and Champions League defeats, Bayern Munich have dropped four points in their last five league fixtures. This plays into the fact that recently, Mainz has proven difficult to defeat (nine matches undefeated). Bayern Munich has favourable odds, but I’m backing the totals market here at over 2.5 goals with the last 10 head-to-head fixtures producing this outcome.
Borussia Dortmund 4/7 | Draw 7/2 | Eintracht Frankfurt 15/4 (17:30)
Borussia Dortmund played after Bayern Munich dropped points last gameweek, and they do so again this weekend. Dortmund will be kicking themselves for succumbing to the pressure as they drew 3-3. A late additional time goal from Giovanni Reyna was celebrated as a winner, only for Stuttgart to dampen the joyous moment seconds later. I’m tentative but backing Dortmund to overcome the blip is hard to pass up.
Sunday 23 April
Freiburg 3/4 | Draw 5/2 | Schalke 7/2 (14:30)
Freiburg bounced back quickly with a 2-1-win last time out, and similarly Schalke found an emphatic victory with a 5-2 win in their relegation six-pointer. With 12 undefeated home games, bar their 1-0 loss to Bayern, backing Freiburg at 3/4 is on the money.
Bayer Leverkusen 29/20 | Draw 13/5 | RB Leipzig 31/20 (16:30)
After a five-match winning streak, Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen stumbled to a lousy 0-0 draw and might be in danger of qualifying for any European competition. RB Leipzig is a tough ask, but with the away side’s goalscoring boots back on, goals are guaranteed here. Both Teams To Score (Yes) at 8/13.
Borussia Monchengladbach 13/10 | Draw 9/4 | Union Berlin 2/1 (18:30)
Union Berlin have well and truly capitulated after being labelled title contenders and a matchup with Monchengladbach away from home is bound to further their misery. The home win is outlandishly backed.
