The German Bundesliga is reaching its crunch time with 27 games on schedule over the next 10 days. With so much action ahead of us, we will try to cover as many games as possible and hopefully bring you some money with our expert analysis and betting predictions. As usual, we will give you a three-match preview for the Saturday afternoon matchups and based on our predictions, we can only hope that the strikers will be at their best, as we expect a LOT of goals. Here are the three matchups that we have prepared for you in this round:
FC SCHALKE 04 vs. BORUSSIA DORTMUND
3-Way: 1: Schalke +284; X: +283 Draw; 2: Borussia Dortmund +110
Spread +0.5: Schalke -108 ; Borussia Dortmund +104
Total 2.5: Over -133 ; Under +131
The FC Schalke 04 vs. Borussia Dortmund Saturday afternoon clash represents the Mother of all Derbys in the German Bundesliga. The two teams have a long history going at each other. As a matter of fact, the first time the two teams met was back in May of 1925, a game in which the Royal Blues celebrated a 4:2 win. Back then, no one could have imagined that this would become the biggest rivalry of all in the German Bundesliga. Fast forward 92 years and we are set to enjoy the 150th all time official matchup between the two foes coming from the Westfalen.
Out of the 150 official meetings, the two teams played 90 derbys as a member of the German Bundesliga. The Royal Blues have won a total of 58 matchups, while BVB celebrated in 51 meetings, with 40 matchups being decided on a draw. Important to note is also the fact that ever since the war in 1943, the BVB saw more succes, holding a 51-38 edge.
The Royal Blues have won a total of 8 points out of their last 5 Bundesliga matches, recording wins over Mainz away (1:0) and Augsburg at home (3:0). Prior to those two important wins, the Royal Blues dropped 3 points to Borussia Monchengladbach away (2:4) and recorded two straight draws against Hoffenheim at home (1:1) and Koln away (1:1). In their last 5 games played at the Veltins Arena they have won 10 points (3 W, 1L, 1D). Schalke is dealing with an injury bug as their injury list quite loaded with Baba, Aogo, Naldo, Uchida, Embolo all most likely sitting out this matchup. In addition, Coach Markus Weinzierl is still doubtful if Sead Kolasinac and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will be ready to play on Saturday.
On the other side the BVB seems to have found the right form as they have won 12 out of 15 points over their last 5 matches in the German Bundesliga. The wins came against Ingolstadt at home (1:0), Bayer Leverkusen at home (2:1), Freiburg away (3:0) and Wolfsburg at home (3:0), while their only loss came in round 24 when the BVB visited Hertha Berlin and lost with 1:2. Over their last 5 away games, BVB has recorded 2W,2L,1D. Currently, BVB holds the 3rd spot on the rankings with a total of 46 points. FC Bayern Munich is miles ahead of their competition with 62 points and it almost impossible for the BVB to hope for the top spot. However, the 2nd ranked RB Leipzig is only 3 points ahead and if BVB continues their great form, there is no doubt that they can grab the 2nd spot. However, the BVB cannot afford to give away points as Hoffenheim is breathing down their necks with 45 points at the 4th spot.
The BVB will not miss too many players for this derby with only Gotze and Rode listed to miss the game, while Reus is nearing the top form and should be ready to go in couple of days.
In a derby like this, there is no doubt that the emotions will spark all over the Veltins Arena. The players will have an extra motive to beat their rivals, while the fans will leave their last breath cheering for their teams. However, we wonder what we can expect in regards of some betting action. Well, one thing is certain, there should be no shortage of goals, as these two teams have combined for 3+ goals in the 9 out of their last 10 meetings at the Veltins Arena. During the stretch, the Royal Blues have won 5 games, lost 2 and 2 games finished with a draw. With that being said, I am taking the Over 2.5 goals offered at -133.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-133)
RB LEIPZIG vs. SV DARMSTADT 98
3-Way: 1:Leipzig -250; X: +450 Draw; 2: Darmstadt +950
Spread -1.5: Leipzig +110; Darmstadt -111
Total 2.5: Over -127; Under +122
Another derby will take place on Saturday afternoon in the Bundesliga Round 26, but this time it is a derby of a two newcomers to the Bundesliga, the Red Bull Leipzig and the SV Darmstadt 98. The game will take place at the Red Bull Arena, a stadium where the home team is almost unbeatable, as they have won 9 out of their 12 season games, with 2 losses and 1 draw.
However, the home team will be under a lot of pressure as they have not tasted a victory in their last 3 Bundesliga games, suffering two losses and a draw. The most recent loss came in the Round 25 when the Bulls gave up three points to Werder Bremen on the road (0:3). Prior to that they also lost with a home defeat to the Wolfsburg (0:1). Despite the recent decline in form, the Bulls still hold the second spot on the table but the BVB is closing the gap, coming only three points behind the Bulls. The game against the bottom ranked Darmstadt will be a great chance for the Bulls to come out of their slump and win in front of their crowd.
The Red Bulls will not be able to count on Werner, Gipson and Klostermann for the Saturday matchup.
On the other side, the SV Darmstadt 98 has long ago given up their hopes of keeping their German Bundesliga status as they are glued to the bottom of the table with only 15 points won out of their 25 games. They are the only Bundesliga team that has not won a single game on the road. As a matter of fact, they are the only team that has not won a single point on the road this season, as they have lost all of their 12 road games with a goal differential of 4:27. Enough said, right???
Gondorf, Niemeyer, Oliinyk and Rosenthal will all miss this game, while Mario Vrancic should be ready to return to the lineup. Aytac Sulu is questionable to play as he dealt with a flu during the week.
The math is clear in this one, anything other than a win for the hometeam would come as a surprise. The Red Bulls are heavily favored in this one with -250, which is why we will look for some other action. With the visitors already having given up on their season, and the recent scoring drought of the Bulls, I think that this game is a great chance for the Bulls strikers to come out of their slump and score at least 3 goals. Therefore I expect the Over 2.5 goals in this one!!!
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-127)
SC FREIBURG vs. SV WERDER BREMEN
3-Way: 1: Freiburg +140; X: +260 Draw; 2: Werder Bremen +229
Spread -0.5: Freiburg +135; Werder Bremen -135
Total 2.5: Over -116; Under +112
Werder Bremen is currently one of the hottest teams in the German Bundesliga and they will certainly look to stay sharp on Saturday when they visit the SC Freiburg at the Schwarzwald Stadium. It is an important match for both teams, who have been playing fairly well in their recent performances. The SC Freiburg will look to win points that could push them close to the European Competitions rankings, while the visitors hope to continue their positive streak and distances themselves even further from the relegation zone.
The home team, SC Freiburg, has been unbeaten over their last three Bundesliga games, recording 1 win and 2 draws. Over their last five games at the Schwarzwald Stadium, the Brazilians of Breisgau, have recorded 2 wins, 2 losses and one draw. Currently they hold the 8th spot on the table with a total of 35 points. The 6th ranked Koln is only 2 points ahead, meaning that the European competitions for the next season is a goal that is highly achievable for the Freiburg team. In their first meeting with Werder Bremen, SC Freiburg celebrated a 3:1 win on the road.
Coach Christian Streich, who is currently the longest-serving coach in the German Bundesliga, will not be able to count on Fohrenbach, Stenzel and Hofler, but other than these three players, he will have everyone else ready to play.
On the other side, the 2nd hottest team in the German Bundesliga, over a stretch of the last 6 games, Werder Bremen, will look to continue their climb up the rankings as they are only 2 points clear the relegation zone. The Green-Whites are currently holding the 13th spot on the table with 29 points, while the 16th ranked Hamburger SV is only 2 points behind. Impressive is the recent away record of the Green-Whites as they have lost only on out of their last 7 road games, also winning 3 and finishing 3 games with a draw. Also, notable is the fact that they have been able to score at least 1 goal during this 7 game road stretch. Considering that they have lost their first meeting to the Black Forest outfit with 1:3 at home, Werder Bremen will certainly look for some revenge, and with a great form lately, their chances to do so are pretty high.
I expect goals on both sides of the pitch, with the total of 2.5 expected to be topped, the Over seems like a normal pick to go with. However, I will go a step further and pick the AH 0.5 on the visitors offered at -135 as I believe that they can come out of this contest with a road win and continue their strong performances.
MY PICK: Werder Bremen AH -0.5 (-135)
TOTAL: Over 2.5 goals (-116)
