The winter break in the German Bundesliga is over and the fans are eager for the second part of the season to kick-off!!!
The opening game of the German Bundesliga Round 18 is set for Friday, January 12th, 2018, when Bayer Leverkusen welcomes Bayern Munich at BayArena in one of the true derby matches of the Bundesliga, while on Saturday, January 13th, 2018, we’ll see six interesting games, including a clash between fifth-placed RB Leipzig and a second-placed Schalke 04. The closing match is set for Sunday, January 14th, 2018, when Borussia Dortmund hosts VFL Wolfsburg at Signal Iduna Park.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN vs. BAYERN MUNICH
3-Way: 1: Bayer Leverkusen +304; X: +291 Draw; 2: Bayern Munich -117 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +0.5: Bayer Leverkusen +102; Bayern Munich -115
Total +2.5: Over -117; Under +101
BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Leverkusen is having a great season so far, sitting at the fourth spot of the Bundesliga table with 28 points and a 34:23 goal difference, while they are unbeaten in the previous 14 games in all competitions. Leverkusen is also undefeated on the home soil this season, recording four wins and four draws with a 17:8 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Leon Bailey (cold, doubtful)
Head-to-head: Bayern Munich won their previous H2H meeting (3:1) in the first round of this season, but the last two encounters at Leverkusen were finished in a nil-nil draw, while the Bavarians are winless at BayArena since the 2012/2013 season.
BAYERN MUNICH
The Bavarians are topping the Bundesliga table with 41 points and a 37:11 goal difference, eleven points ahead of Schalke 04 in the second spot. They’ve recorded four wins in a row, while on the road they have a 6-1-2 record with a 14:7 goal difference, winning the last two games away from home with an identical 1:0 result.
Injuries and suspensions: Manuel Neuer (metatarsal fracture), Thiago Alcantara (muscle), Joshua Kimmich (back trouble, doubtful)
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich – Match Prediction
The visitors are slight favorites in this one, and I’m backing them to get a win at Leverkusen after almost five years. However, this is certainly the biggest match of the Round 18, and I believe we’ll see a tremendous game, probably with some goals on both sides.
MY PICK: Bayern Munich to Win (-117)
FC AUGSBURG vs. HAMBURGER SV
3-Way: 1: FC Augsburg -108; X: +250 Draw; 2: Hamburger SV +313 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: FC Augsburg -108; Hamburger SV -104
Total +2.5: Over +102; Under -122
FC AUGSBURG
Augsburg has earned two draws and one defeat in the last three Bundesliga rounds, but they are still in the respectable ninth spot of the table with 24 points and a 27:23 goal difference, four points behind Leverkusen in the fourth spot which leads to the UEFA Champions League next season. Augsburg is unbeaten in the last four games at home, recording one win and three draws in the process.
Injuries and suspensions: Erik Thommy (ligament tear), Kevin Danso (ankle), Alfred Finnbogason (Achilles tendon), Daniel Opare (muscle, doubtful)
Head-to-head: In the previous 13 H2H meetings Augsburg has earned eight wins, while Hamburger SV has recorded five victories. In the first round of this season, Hamburger won at home, 1:0.
HAMBURGER SV
The Red Shorts are having another tough season, currently sitting in the relegation zone with 15 points and a 15:25 goal difference. They are without a win in the previous four Bundesliga matches, recording two draws and two losses in the process, while on the road they’ve earned just four points with a 1-1-6 record and a 7:16 goal difference, losing four out of the last five games away from home.
Injuries and suspensions: Nicolai Muller (cruciate ligament rupture)
FC Augsburg vs. Hamburger SV – Match Prediction
The visitors desperately need a positive result to rebuild self-confidence, but it’s going to be a hard job to beat Augsburg, as they are a strong team on the home soil. Therefore, I will go with some goals in this one, as I believe both sides will find the net.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-115)
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT vs. SC FREIBURG
3-Way: 1: Eintracht Frankfurt -119; X: +263 Draw; 2: SC Freiburg +344 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Eintracht Frankfurt -119; SC Freiburg +104
Total +2.5: Over -105; Under -112
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT
The Eagles are playing in an on-off form throughout the season, just enough for the eighth spot of the table with 26 points and a 20:18 goal difference, while in the last five Bundesliga matches they have recorded two wins, two losses, and one draw. The Eagles played pretty poorly so far on the home soil, earning just eight points with a 2-2-4 record and a 9:11 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Alexander Meier (ankle), David Abraham (shin), Simon Falette (yellow card suspension)
Head-to-head: In the season opener these two teams played a 0:0 stalemate, while last year Freiburg won both matches (1:0 and 2:1).
SC FREIBURG
After a terrible start of the season, Freiburg finally found their top form, and now they are undefeated for five Bundesliga matches in a row, sitting at the 13th spot of the table with 19 points and a 17:31 goal difference, four points above the danger zone. Their defensive work on the road was awful so far, as they’ve conceded 25 goals in eight matches away from home, earning just five points with a 1-2-5 record.
Injuries and suspensions: Mike Frantz (knee), Philipp Lienhart (knee), Florian Niederlechner (knee)
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. SC Freiburg – Match Prediction
The Eagles are favorites in this one, but they are pretty unconvincing at home this season, so I think Freiburg could keep on with their string of positive results.
MY PICK: Draw (+263)
HANNOVER 96 vs. FSV MAINZ 05
3-Way: 1: Hannover 96 +120; X: +241 Draw; 2: FSV Mainz 05 +238 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Hannover 96 +119; FSV Mainz 05 -139
Total +2.5: Over -105; Under -112
HANNOVER 96
Hannover has recorded just one win in the last five Bundesliga matches along with two draws and two defeats, but at home, they are unbeaten for four games in a row, recording two wins and two draws, including a spectacular 4:4 stalemate with Bayer Leverkusen in the previous round. Hannover is currently in the 11th spot of the Bundesliga table with 23 points and a 24:26 goal difference, eight points above the relegation zone.
Injuries and suspensions: Edgar Prib (cruciate ligament rupture), Ihlas Bebou (toothache, doubtful)
Head-to-head: Hannover won 1:0 in the season opener, while Mainz was victorious three times in the previous five encounters along with two draws. Just one of these clashes was finished in the over.
FSV MAINZ 05
Mainz finished the previous calendar year with a 3:1 victory over VfB Stuttgart in the German DFB Pokal Round of 16, but they are winless for five Bundesliga games in a row, recording two draws and three losses in the process. They are currently in the 15th spot of the table with 17 points and a 19:28 goal difference, while they are still without a win on the road, recording four draws and four defeats with a 7:15 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Rene Adler (hamstring), Danny Latza (yellow card suspension)
Hannover 96 vs. FSV Mainz 05 – Match Prediction
The statistics suggest to bet on the home team, but I think there is no big difference between these two sides, and this could be a perfect chance for Mainz to get their first win on the road, while I believe we’ll see at least one goal on both sides.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-131)
ADDITIONAL PICK: FSV Mainz 05 to WIN (+238)
VfB STUTTGART vs. HERTHA BSC
3-Way: 1: VfB Stuttgart +123; X: +229 Draw; 2: Hertha BSC +242 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: VfB Stuttgart +123; Hertha BSC -145
Total +2.5: Over +113; Under -135
VfB STUTTGART
The Reds had a great start of the season, but after four straight Bundesliga losses at the end of 2017, they’ve dropped to the 14th spot of the table with two points ahead of teams in the danger zone. Likewise, they are scoreless in the last four Bundesliga matches, two of them at home against Bayern Munich (1:0) and Bayer Leverkusen (2:0).
Injuries and suspensions: Matthias Zimmermann (knee), Carlos Mane (training deficit), Holger Badstuber (muscle, doubtful)
Head-to-head: Hertha won 2:0 in the first round at home, while two years ago when the Reds were also playing in the Bundesliga, both teams recorded one win apiece.
HERTHA BSC
Hertha ended 2017 in a style, with two victories over Hannover at home (3:1), and RB Leipzig on the road (3:2). They are currently laying at the 10th place of the Bundesliga table with 24 points and a 26:25 goal difference, while on the road, they are unbeaten in the previous five Bundesliga games, recording two wins and three draws.
Injuries and suspensions: Karim Rekik (shin bone), Vladimir Darida (training deficit), Thomas Kraft (knee), Jordan Torunarigha (red card suspension)
VfB Stuttgart vs. Hertha BSC – Match Prediction
The Reds are playing quite poorly recently, and they will try to put an end to a losing string in this one. However, Hertha played a couple of great matches lately, and I believe they are closer to the victory, so we could get an open match with some goals on both sides.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-114)
SV WERDER BREMEN vs. TSG HOFFENHEIM 1899
3-Way: 1: SV Werder Bremen +174; X: +250 Draw; 2: TSG Hoffenheim 1899 +152 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: SV Werder Bremen +103; TSG Hoffenheim 1899 -116
Total +3: Over +117; Under -139
SV WERDER BREMEN
After two consecutive wins against Borussia Dortmund on the road (2:1) and VfB Stuttgart at home (1:0), the Green-Whites lost 1:0 to Bayer Leverkusen, and drew with FSV Mainz 05 at home, 2:2, just before the winter break. They are in the 16th spot of the Bundesliga table at the moment with 15 points and a 13:20 goal difference, while at home they are unbeaten for three games in a row, recording two wins and one stalemate in the process.
Injuries and suspensions: Fin Bartels (Achilles tendon), Thomas Delaney (muscular problems), Aron Johannsson (medial collateral ligament), Yuning Zhang (with national team), Niklas Schmidt (red card suspension)
Head-to-head: These two clubs have already played two times against each other this season – Hoffenheim won 1:0 at home in the Bundesliga first round, while Werder Bremen won 1:0 on the home soil in the German DFB Pokal Round of 32.
TSG HOFFENHEIM 1899
Hoffenheim had a lot of ups and downs this season, and they are currently in the seventh spot of the Bundesliga table with 26 points, a 27:22 goal difference, and a form of LWLWL. They finished with the UEFA Europa League participation in the group phase, so we can expect more stable performance in the further Bundesliga rounds.
Injuries and suspensions: Adam Szalai (red card suspension)
SV Werder Bremen vs. TSG Hoffenheim 1899 – Match Prediction
It is difficult to predict the final outcome in this one, as both teams are playing in a pretty shaky form recently. However, I believe both sides will find the net this Saturday, so I’m backing the over.
MY PICK: Over 3 Goals (+117)
RB LEIPZIG vs. SCHALKE 04
3-Way: 1: RB Leipzig +102; X: +256 Draw; 2: Schalke 04 +273 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: RB Leipzig +104; Schalke 04 -118
Total +2.5: Over -114; Under -102
RB LEIPZIG
RB Leipzig is without a win for four Bundesliga matches in a row, recording two draws and two losses in the process, including a 3:2 defeat at home against Hertha BSC in the previous round. They are currently sitting at the fifth spot of the German Bundesliga table with 28 points and a 27:25 goal difference, while at home, they haven’t won in the last two encounters, conceding five goals on those two occasions.
Injuries and suspensions: Marcel Halstenberg (hand)
Head-to-head: Schalke won 2:0 at home in the first round, while last season RB Leipzig won 2:1 on the home soil. Their third H2H meeting was ended in a 1:1 stalemate.
SCHALKE 04
The Miners welcomed the new year at the second spot of the German Bundesliga table with 30 points and a 28:21 goal difference, eleven points behind the leader Bayern Munich, and two points ahead of Borussia Dortmund in the third spot. They are unbeaten in the previous eleven Bundesliga matches, while they’ve recorded one victory and four draws in the last five games.
Injuries and suspensions: Pablo Insua (inflammation)
RB Leipzig vs. Schalke 04 – Match Prediction
This is one of the derby matches of the Bundesliga Round 18, and I expect to see an entertaining game with a lot of scoring chances. The visitors are unbeaten for eleven matches in a row, but they’ve conceded eleven goals in the previous five encounters, so this could be the end of their great string.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (-114)
ADDITIONAL PICK: RB Leipzig to Win (+102)
FC KOLN vs. BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH
3-Way: 1: FC Koln +218; X: +252 Draw; 2: Borussia Monchengladbach +124 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +0.5: FC Koln -144; Borussia Monchengladbach +122
Total +2.5: Over -133; Under +110
FC KOLN
The Billy Goats have earned their first win of the season in the previous round, beating Wolfsburg at home, 1:0, but they are still far away from the safe spot. FC Koln is pinned to the bottom of the Bundesliga table with six points and a 10:32 goal difference, eleven points behind Mainz in the 15th spot. They will need a far better performance if they want to avoid the relegation, and the match with Monchengladbach is just a first step.
Injuries and suspensions: Jonas Hector (syndesmotic ligament tear), Marcel Risse (meniscus), Jhon Cordoba (hamstring), Dominic Maroh (hamstring), Leonardo Bittencourt (adductor problems)
Head-to-head: In the previous six H2H meetings FC Koln won two matches, while Borussia Monchengladbach was victorious four times, including a 1:0 win in the first round last August.
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH
The Foals ended 2017 with a 1:0 defeat against Leverkusen in the German DFB Pokal Round of 16, after they’ve beaten Hamburger SV 3:1 in the previous round of the German Bundesliga. They are in the sixth spot of the table at the moment with 28 points and a 27:28 goal difference, just two points behind Schalke 04 in the second spot. The Foals lost two games in a row away from home without scoring a goal, so the match with the Billy Goats is a perfect chance to find the net.
Injuries and suspensions: Tobias Strobl (knee), Fabian Johnson (back), Mamadou Doucoure (muscle), Raul Bobadilla (osteitis pubis), Ibrahima Traore (muscle, doubtful)
FC Koln vs. Borussia Monchengladbach – Match Prediction
The visitors are slight favorites, while the home team desperately need a victory, so we should get a tremendous game, hopefully with some goals on both sides.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (-133)
DORTMUND vs. VFL WOLFSBURG
3-Way: 1: Dortmund -244; X: +401 Draw; 2: VFL Wolfsburg +622 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1.5: Dortmund +114; VFL Wolfsburg -132
Total +3: Over -127; Under +108
DORTMUND
The Black and Yellows lost 2:1 to Bayern Munich in the German DFB Pokal Round of 16, and now they can focus Bundesliga where they are laying at the third place with 28 points and a 39:24 goal difference, 13 points behind the leader Bayern Munich. Dortmund won the last two Bundesliga matches against Mainz (2:0) and Hoffenheim (2:1), while at home, they’ve recorded just one win in the previous five games along with one draw and three defeats.
Injuries and suspensions: Marco Reus (training deficit), Marcel Schmelzer (calf), Christian Pulisic (abdominal influenza, doubtful), Raphael Guerreiro (thigh, doubtful), Roman Burki (cold, doubtful), Nuri Sahin (abdominal influenza, doubtful), Omer Toprak (cold, doubtful)
Head-to-head: In the last seven H2H duels Dortmund won five times, while Wolfsburg won two matches, and all these seven encounters were finished in the over.
VFL WOLFSBURG
The Wolves have recorded just one win in the last five Bundesliga clashes along with two draws and two losses, so they are sitting at the 12th spot of the table with 19 points, a 3-10-4 record, and a 21:21 goal difference, four points above the danger zone. They are winless for seven away games in a row, recording four draws and three losses in the process, including a 1:0 defeat against the bottom side FC Koln in the previous round of the German Bundesliga.
Injuries and suspensions: Ignacio Camacho (ankle), Jakub Blaszczykowski (back, doubtful)
Dortmund vs. VFL Wolfsburg – Match Prediction
The home team is a huge favorite in this match, and I believe they will get three points, although they still have a lot of injured players in the squad.
MY PICK: Dortmund AH -1.5 (+114)
