The opening match of the German Bundesliga round 21 is set for Friday, February 2nd, 2018, when the on-form bottom side FC Koln welcomes the stumbled Borussia Dortmund at RheinEnergieStadion, while on weekend days we’ll see eight more exciting duels, including a derby clash between Schalke 04 and SV Werder Bremen set for Saturday, February 3rd, 2018, at Veltins-Arena. On Sunday, February 4th, 2018, we’ll see another great match when Augsburg lock horns with Eintracht Frankfurt at WWK Arena in Augsburg.
FC KOLN vs. DORTMUND
3-Way: 1: FC Koln +322; X: +263 Draw; 2: Dortmund -114 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +0.5: FC Koln +100; Hertha BSC -114
Total +2.5: Over -139; Under +115
FC KOLN
The Billy Goats are playing in a great form recently, and after three wins in a row against Hamburger SV (2-0), Borussia Monchengladbach (2-1), and Wolfsburg (1-0), they drew with Augsburg (1-1) at home in the previous round of the German Bundesliga. FC Koln is still at the bottom of the table, but now they are just four points behind Werder Bremen in the 16th spot which leads to the relegation play-offs.
Injuries and suspensions: Leonardo Bittencourt (adductor problems), Lukas Klunter (yellow card suspension)
Head-to-head: In the last five H2H duels both teams recorded one win each, while three matches were ended in a stalemate. Earlier in the season, Dortmund crashed FC Koln at home, 5-0.
DORTMUND
The Black and Yellows are unbeaten for five Bundesliga games in a row, while they’ve recorded three consecutive draws, including a disappointing 2-2 stalemate with Freiburg on the home soil last weekend. Dortmund is currently in the sixth spot of the Bundesliga table with 31 points, same as Borussia Monchengladbach in the sixth, and two points behind Eintracht Frankfurt in the fourth spot.
Injuries and suspensions: Maximilian Philipp (knee), Raphael Guerreiro (thigh), Marcel Schmelzer (calf), Marco Reus (training deficit), Andriy Yarmolenko (foot, doubtful)
FC Koln vs. Dortmund – Match Prediction
The visitors are favorites for reason, but the Billy Goats are in a superb form, finding the net in the last four games, so this should be a tricky match for Dortmund. I believe we’ll see at least one goal on both sides, so I’m backing goals in this one.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (-139)
SC FREIBURG vs. BAYER LEVERKUSEN
3-Way: 1: SC Freiburg +309; X: +284 Draw; 2: Bayer Leverkusen -118 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +0.5: SC Freiburg +103; Bayer Leverkusen -117
Total +3: Over +106; Under -122
SC FREIBURG
Freiburg is undefeated for eight straight Bundesliga matches, recording four victories and four draws in the process, while in the previous four rounds they couldn’t keep the clean sheet. However, Freiburg is sitting at the 12th spot of the table with seven points ahead of Werder Bremen in the 16th spot. At home, they’ve suffered just one defeat in ten games so far along with four wins and five stalemates.
Injuries and suspensions: Mike Frantz (knee), Florian Niederlechner (knee), Yoric Ravet (Achilles tendon)
Head-to-head: Last year, Freiburg won at home, 2-1, while earlier in this season Leverkusen smashed Freiburg on the home soil, 4-0.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Leverkusen has beaten Mainz 2-0 in the previous round of the German Bundesliga to record their second straight win, and now they are sitting at the second spot of the table with 34 points and a 41:27 goal difference, two points ahead of RB Leipzig in the fifth spot. Bayer is unbeaten for seven consecutive Bundesliga matches away from home, recording four wins and three draws in the process.
Injuries and suspensions: Julian Baumgartlinger (thigh), Vladlen Yurchenko (training deficit)
SC Freiburg vs. Bayer Leverkusen – Match Prediction
Both teams are playing very well offensively in the last few weeks, so we should see some goals on both sides of the pitch, while the hosts will surely want a revenge after a heavy defeat in their first clash of the season.
MY PICK: Over 3 Goals (+106)
HERTHA BSC vs. TSG HOFFENHEIM 1899
3-Way: 1: Hertha BSC +156; X: +238 Draw; 2: TSG Hoffenheim 1899 +175 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Hertha BSC -112; TSG Hoffenheim 1899 +101
Total +2.5: Over -110; Under -109
HERTHA BSC
The Old Lady is without a win in the previous three rounds of the German Bundesliga, recording two draws against Werder Bremen (0-0), and Dortmund (1-1), and a 1-0 defeat against Stuttgart. Hertha is currently in the 11th spot of the table with 26 points and a 27:27 goal difference, five points behind Dortmund in the sixth spot, and nine points above the danger zone.
Injuries and suspensions: Karim Rekik (muscle), Ondrej Duda (calf), Fabian Lustenberger (concussion)
Head-to-head: Hoffenheim won three out of the last four H2H duels, while their previous meeting was finished in a 1-1 draw.
TSG HOFFENHEIM 1899
Hoffenheim is playing in a poor form recently, recording three losses and one draw in the last four Bundesliga matches, including a heavy 5-2 defeat against Bayern Munich on the road last weekend, despite a 2-0 lead after just twelve minutes of the game. They’ve earned just one point in the previous five tilts on the road, and at the moment, Hoffenheim is in the ninth spot of the table with 27 points and a 31:32 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: Kerem Demirbay (hamstring), Lukas Rupp (ankle)
Hertha BSC vs. TSG Hoffenheim 1899 – Match Prediction
Both sides are struggling in 2018, and another bad result could be really painful. This should be a tight clash, while the odds are telling us the same, so I will go with a draw.
MY PICK: Draw (+238)
FSV MAINZ 05 vs, BAYERN MUNICH
3-Way: 1: FSV Mainz 05 +1055; X: +482 Draw; 2: Bayern Munich -370 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +1.5: FSV Mainz 05 +109; Bayern Munich -127
Total +3: Over -138; Under +117
FSV MAINZ 05
Mainz had a poor game against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend when they were easily beaten 2-0, creating just a couple of solid scoring chances. It was their third defeat in the last five Bundesliga matches, while Mainz couldn’t keep their net intact since November 18th, and a 1-0 win over FC Koln. With just three points ahead of Werder Bremen in the danger zone, Mainz is sitting at the 15th spot of the table with 20 points and a 24:35 goal difference.
Injuries and suspensions: All players are ready to go.
Head-to-head: Mainz has won just one out of the last ten H2H meetings, while the Bavarians have recorded nine victories, including a convincing 4-0 win at Allianz Arena earlier in the season.
BAYERN MUNICH
The Bavarians were two goals down against Hoffenheim last weekend, managing to make a brilliant comeback, and winning a game 5-2 in the end. It was their seventh consecutive win in the Bundesliga, while they couldn’t keep the clean sheet in the last three matches. Bayern Munich is still topping the table with 16 points lead ahead of the closest rivals Leverkusen and Schalke 04.
Injuries and suspensions: Manuel Neuer (metatarsal fracture), Thiago Alcantara (muscle)
FSV Mainz 05 vs. Bayern Munich – Match Prediction
This should be an easy one for the Bavarians, as Mainz is in an awful form, and I think it is just a question of a goal margin.
MY PICK: Bayern Munich AH -1.5 (-127)
SCHALKE 04 VS. SV WERDER BREMEN
3-Way: 1: Schalke 04 -141; X: +285 Draw; 2: SV Werder Bremen +395 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1: Schalke 04 +130; SV Werder Bremen -150
Total +2.5: Over -120; Under +101
SCHALKE 04
The Miners have beaten Stuttgart 2-0 on the road in the previous round to put an end on a three-game winless string, and they are currently in the third spot of the table with 34 points, same as Bayer Leverkusen in the second spot. Schalke is unbeaten on the home soil for seven Bundesliga games in a row, recording three wins and four stalemates in the process.
Injuries and suspensions: Pablo Insua (inflammation), Weston McCkennie (knee)
Head-to-head: Schalke won three out of the last five H2H duels, including a 2-1 victory on the road this season, while Werder Bremen was victorious on two occasions. All these five tilts were ended with at least three goals in a total.
SV WERDER BREMEN
Werder Bremen upset the fans once again in the previous round of the German Bundesliga, playing a nil-nil draw with Hertha BSC at home. They are without a win for five straight Bundesliga matches, recording three draws and two losses in the process, while on the road they’ve lost four out of the previous five tilts. Werder Bremen is currently in the 16th spot of the table which leads to the relegation play-offs, one point above Hamburger SV in the 17th spot.
Injuries and suspensions: Fin Bartels (Achilles tendon), Michael Zetterer (wrist)
Schalke 04 vs. SV Werder Bremen – Match Prediction
Both teams will be looking for precious three points, and I think we could easily see a bunch of goals if someone finds the quick opener.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 Goals (-120)
VFL WOLFSBURG vs. VfB STUTTGART
3-Way: 1: VFL Wolfsburg +125; X: +231 Draw; 2: VfB Stuttgart +231 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: VFL Wolfsburg +123; VfB Stuttgart -146
Total +2.5: Over +107; Under -131
VFL WOLFSBURG
The Wolves have finally earned three points after five rounds without a win, as they’ve beaten Hannover on the road, 1-0. Wolfsburg has some issues with their attacking flow, scoring just three goals in the previous five Bundesliga matches, and conceding five in a return. They are currently in the 13th spot of the table with 23 points and a 23:24 goal difference, three points ahead of their next rival.
Injuries and suspensions: Ignacio Camacho (ankle), Jakub Blaszczykowski (back), John Anthony Brooks (knee), Daniel Didavi (knee)
Head-to-head: Wolfsburg has won the previous nine H2H meetings on the home soil, while in the last four duels both teams have recorded two wins each.
VfB STUTTGART
The Swabians were beaten 2-0 by Schalke at home in the previous round, and it was their second straight defeat after they lost 3-2 to Mainz two weeks ago. Stuttgart is the worst team in the Bundesliga on the road so far, earning just one point in ten matches away from home with a 6:19 goal difference. In the last five away games, they’ve scored four goals, which should be a huge boost before they meet the Wolves this Saturday.
Injuries and suspensions: Matthias Zimmermann (knee), Holger Badstuber (adductor problems), Carlos Mane (torn tendon)
VFL Wolfsburg vs. VfB Stuttgart – Match Prediction
After checking the H2H record, who can expect anything but a home win? However, both teams desperately need a positive result, so I should skip this one, although the odds are quite tempting.
MY PICK: VFL Wolfsburg to Win (+125)
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH vs. RB LEIPZIG
3-Way: 1: Borussia Monchengladbach +146; X: +252 Draw; 2: RB Leipzig +179 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Borussia Monchengladbach -119; RB Leipzig +106
Total +3: Over +105; Under -122
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH
The Foals are battling for the UEFA Champions League spot, but in the last couple of weeks, their form is pretty shaky, as they lost two out of the three matches in 2018, both away from home. Last weekend, they totally disappointed the fans with a 2-0 defeat at Frankfurt, proving they are far more dangerous on the home soil where they’ve recorded three victories in the previous four tilts.
Injuries and suspensions: Tobias Strobl (knee), Ibrahima Traore (muscle), Raul Bobadilla (osteitis pubis), Yann Sommer (muscle), Fabian Johnson (back, doubtful)
Head-to-head: In all three H2H duels both teams have managed to score. Two of these three tilts were ended in a draw, including their first clash of the season (2-2), while RB Leipzig has won their previous meeting at Borussia-Park.
RB LEIPZIG
The Red Bulls played a disappointing 1-1 draw with Hamburger SV at home on last weekend, and their fans are certainly worried after their beloved team has won just one out of the last five Bundesliga matches. RB Leipzig has dropped to the fifth spot of the table with 31 points, just one point ahead of their next opponent. On the road, the Red Bulls are winless for five Bundesliga games in a row, recording two draws and three defeats in the process.
Injuries and suspensions: Emil Forsberg (muscle, doubtful)
Borussia Monchengladbach vs. RB Leipzig – Match Prediction
This is one of the derby matches we’ll see this weekend, and I expect an entertaining game with some goals on both sides. After some recent disappointing displays, particularly on the road, this could be a moment of redemption for RB Leipzig, although Monchengladbach is so strong in front of the home fans.
MY PICK: Draw (+252)
FC AUGSBURG vs. EINTRACHT FRANKFURT
3-Way: 1: FC Augsburg +131; X: +229 Draw; 2: Eintracht Frankfurt +222 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: FC Augsburg -150; Eintracht Frankfurt +130
Total +2.5: Over +114; Under -138
FC AUGSBURG
Augsburg’s on-off form continues, as they’ve recorded one win, two losses and two draws in the last five Bundesliga matches, including a 1-1 draw with the bottom side Koln on last weekend. However, they are unbeaten for five matches in a row on the home soil, keeping the clean sheet just once in the process. Augsburg is currently in the eight spot of the table, just five points behind Eintracht Frankfurt in the fourth spot.
Injuries and suspensions: Jeffrey Gouweleeuw (knee), Rani Khedira (yellow card suspension)
Head-to-head: The last three H2H duels at Augsburg were ended in a draw, while Eintracht Frankfurt lost 2-1 at home in their first clash of the season.
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT
The Eagles are flying high as they are currently in the fourth spot of the Bundesliga table with 33 points and a 26:20 goal difference. They are unbeaten for five consecutive games, recording three wins and two draws in the process, while they’ve won three matches on the road without keeping the clean sheet. The Eagles are the second-best team in the league away from home with 21 points earned in 10 games.
Injuries and suspensions: Alexander Meier (ankle), David Abraham (shin), Ante Rebic (yellow card suspension)
FC Augsburg vs. Eintracht Frankfurt – Match Prediction
This will be a terrific game to watch, as the visitors are so deadly on the road this season, while Augsburg is well-known as a strong opponent on the home soil. I’ll go with Augsburg, as I just don’t believe the Eagles could record another away win.
MY PICK: Augsburg to Win (+131)
HAMBURGER SV vs. HANNOVER 96
3-Way: 1: Hamburger SV +131; X: +231 Draw; 2: Hannover 96 +220 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Hamburger SV -149; Hannover 96 +129
Total +2.5: Over +108; Under -131
HAMBURGER SV
The Red Shorts ended a four-game losing string with a 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig last weekend, but they are still in the relegation zone with 16 points and a 16:29 goal difference, four points behind Mainz in the safe 15th spot. At home, they were beaten two times in a row against FC Koln (2-0) and Eintracht Frankfurt (2-1), so a positive result against Hannover is a priority.
Injuries and suspensions: Nicolai Muller (knee), Albin Ekdal (knee)
Head-to-head: Hannover is leading 3-2 in the last five H2H duels, while they’ve also won the first clash of the season at home, 2-0.
HANNOVER 96
After a disappointing 1:0 defeat against Wolfsburg at home on last weekend, Hannover is still in the 10th spot of the Bundesliga table with 27 points, while this was their first loss at home in the last five games. On the road, they’ve lost four in a row before they earned a 1-1 draw at Schalke two weeks ago.
Injuries and suspensions: Edgar Prib (knee), Jonathas (tendon crack)
Hamburger SV vs. Hannover 96 – Match Prediction
The Red Shorts desperately need a win to pull off some pressure from their shoulders, and I believe they will do it against Hannover at home.
MY PICK: Hamburger SV to Win (+131)
