German Bundesliga Round 32 – Three Match Preview
The German Bundesliga is set up for an explosive finish this season, as we approach the finish line, with round 32 match-ups this weekend. The first game of our three match preview for this weekend promises to be an eye-catching spectacle, as Bayern Munich FC entertain F.C Darmstadt 98 at the Allianz Arena ( 15:30 CEST/14:30 GMT). These two great German adversaries will square off on Saturday (May 6th). The second match to be covered in our exclusive preview, will be another enticing showdown between Borussia Dortmund vs TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, which will get underway at the famous Signal-Iduna-Park Stadium, and the third and final clash will see Borussia Mönchengladbach welcome FC Augsburg to the Borussia-Park Stadium.
BAYERN MUNICH FC vs FC DARMSTADT 98
3-Way: 1: Bayern Munich FC -1000; X: +1400 Draw; FC Darmstadt 98 +4775
Spread -3: Bayern Munich FC -120 ; FC Darmstadt 98 +120
Total +4.5 : Over +112; Under -114
BAYERN MUNICH FC
The Bayern Munich FC has enjoyed a phenomenal season domestically, but has been on the receiving end of some crushing losses in cup competitions, after the club was unexpectedly beaten in the semifinals of the DFB Pokal competition against Borussia Dortmund, courtesy of a dramatic goal from the striker Ousmane Dembele to clinch the tie (2:3). In addition, the Bayern Munich FC was dumped out of the Champions League quarter finals, when the Spanish Galactico’s beat the Bayern Munich FC convincingly in both legs, to advance to the semi finals.
However, in the German Bundesliga this season, it is a different story entirely as the Bavarians are currently miles ahead of their fellow competitors in the league. The club is sitting comfortably at the top of the table, ten points clear of their closest rivals the RB Leipzig, and they are unbeaten in their last fifteen home matches this season. This momentous Bayern side has claimed victory in seven of their last ten competitive matches domestically, and will entertain the bottom side this weekend, in imperious form as this season comes to a close.
If that didn’t terrify the travelling fans, then surely this statistic will, the Bayern Munich FC is currently unbeaten on home soil all season long, and the club has won eleven of their fifteen matches played at home this campaign. It will take a herculean effort to derail a Bayern side that are seemingly invincible at home.
The Bayern Munich FC will be hoping for their in form striker Robert Lewandowski to find the net this Saturday, the unstoppable goal machine has been in prolific form this season, and has scored 28 goals domestically, with 38 in all competitions. The Dutch maestro Arjen Robben is the clubs second highest goal scorer, with a total of 14 goals in all competitions.
The German International Jerome Boateng picked up a Groin injury in the clubs recent clash with Vfl Wolfsburg, but the defensive colossus could make a return to the side in time for Saturday’s match. The German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is unavailable, the shot stopper is suffering from a broken foot, and will not be fit for action for the Bavarians, until next season, whilst Xabi Alonso has contracted the flu and is doubtful for Saturday’s match.
SV DARMSTADT 98
The SV Darmstadt 98 is currently the bottom side of the German Bundesliga table this season, but the team has showed immense resilience recently, and has put together an impressive three match winning streak, to bring them to within just five points of Ingolstadt in seventeenth place. The side won their last away game to SV Hamburg (2:1), but lost a crucial battle against fellow relegation side Ingolstadt in a tightly fought contest, that all but shattered the Darmstadt 98’s dreams of top flight football next season.
That being said, the clubs recent form has showed great courage, and intestinal fortitude, and if the side were to go down, they would exit the top flight with their heads held high, content with the knowledge that they battled valiantly to the end. Despite the SV Darmstadt 98’s excellent run of form recently, the sides atrocious away record of fourteen losses in fifteen games will be like candy to a baby, for a rampant Bayern side that is scoring for fun this season. It would be difficult to bet against the Bavarians exploiting their defensive frailties this Saturday with the home advantage.
The defensive midfielder Peter Niemeyer is out for the rest of this season with a Achilles tendon injury, whilst fellow teammate and club forward Felix Platte is absent with a thigh injury, and is expected to miss Saturday’s encounter with the league leaders Bayern Munich FC this Saturday.
BAYERN MUNICH FC vs. SV DARMSTADT 98 PREDICTION
The German giants Bayern Munich FC are the German Bundesliga front runners this season, and this wounded animal will be hungry for goals, after they crashed out of the DBK Pokal competition(2:3) against league opponents Borussia Dortmund, and suffered an early exit from this year’s Champions League competition. However, the team seems to have bounced back from the humiliation of recent events, and has the opportunity to play the bottom side in the league, to help vent any frustration. One thing’s for sure, SV Darmstadt 98 will not rollover, but I expect the German juggernaut to swipe up all three points on Saturday, but more importantly I expect the German powerhouse to show full strength and to score from all angles. Go with the tempting over 4.5 goals offered at +112.
MY PICK: Over 4.5 goals (+112)
BORUSSIA DORTMUND vs. TSG 1899 HOFFENHEIM
3-Way: 1: Borussia Dortmund -182; X: +420 Draw; TSG 1899 Hoffenheim +569
Spread -1: Borussia Dortmund -125 ; TSG 1899 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim +119
Total +3.5: Over -106; Under +102
BORUSSIA DORTMUND
The Borussia Dortmund is currently ranked 4th in the German Bundesliga, and the club is enjoying another decent season, guided by their inspirational manager Thomas Tuchel. The Borussia Dortmund is just one point away from the automatic Champions league qualification, and a win against the TSG 1899 Hoffenheim would see the team overtake Saturday’s opponents in the league by two points. Like the league leaders Bayern Munich FC, the Borussia Dortmund is unbeaten at home this season, and has claimed victory in eleven of their fifteen matches played on home soil.
Its ominous signs for the away outfit this Saturday, the Borussia Dortmund is unbeaten in fifteen consecutive matches at home domestically, and this momentous side has only lost two of their last ten matches this campaign. In addition, the club currently possesses the best defensive record in the league, and has only conceded eight goals at home all season. The Borussia Dortmund has also kept an impressive eight clean sheets, thanks to their improved defensive capabilities this season.
The French frontman Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang is having another prolific season for his club, and has netted a grand total of 27 goals domestically this season, which places him one behind the Bayern Munich FC striker Robert Lewandowski. The French forward Ousmane Dembele is the clubs second highest goalscorer, with a total of six goals in this German Bundesliga season, and nine goals in all competitions.
The German World Cup winner Mario Gotze is absent for the rest of this season, with a thigh injury, alongside teammates Jacob Larsson (Broken foot), and the midfielder Andre Schurrle (Achilles tendon injury), both of whom are not expected to return to the starting eleven until early next year. The Spanish defender Marc Bartra has returned to training following a broken wrist. However, Nuri Sahin is expected to return after sustaining a thigh injury, whilst Sokratis Papastathopoulos is unlikely to feature, but could make a return to the side in time for Saturday’s league showdown.
TSG 1899 HOFFENHEIM
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim has performed astonishing miracles this season as the club finished 15th in the German Bundesliga last season, but the unrelenting side has miraculously improved this time around, and the clubs blistering form shows no sign of abating, as we enter the final chapters of this exhilarating season.
The TSG 1899 Hoffenheim is currently unbeaten in their last three competitive league matches, and the club continues its unbeaten run at home, to sixteen consecutive matches. The TSG 1899 Hoffenheim currently has the third best away record in the German Bundesliga, behind the table topping side Bayern Munich FC, and the title chasers, the RB Leipzig. The high flying side has only lost three matches away from home all season, along with eight draws and four wins that make up their fifteen matches played as the visitors this season.
The Croatian forward Andrej Kramaric is at the top of the clubs goalscoring chart with a total of twelve goals domestically this season, followed closely behind by fellow teammate and German striker Sandro Wagner, who has netted ten times in what has proved to be a fruitful campaign for the 29 year old.
The right back Pavel Kaderabek and centre-back Fabian Schaar are both currently serving out their yellow card suspensions, and the club has no immediate injury concerns going into Saturday’s hotly anticipated clash.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND vs. TSG 1899 HOFFENHEIM MATCH PREDICTION
Both sides are neck to neck as we reach another dramatic conclusion to this captivating season, and the two teams go head to head on Saturday, knowing that automatic Champions league qualification is at stake, as both teams look to secure the third place in the German Bundesliga this season. This contest promises to be thrilling spectacle, as both teams are in fine form, and desperately require all three points. I think this game will provide plenty of goals, and has all the ingredients of a classic, and memorable encounter. The total has been set at +3.5 goals and considering that the two teams have combined for 4+ goals in their last two encounters, a reasonable bet would be to take the over. However, knowing that the automatic Champions league spot is at stake, I think that the defenders will step up big time and keep the final score under the projected 3.5 goals.
MY PICK: Under 3.5 goals (+102)
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH vs. F.C AUGSBURG
3-Way: 1: Borussia Monchengladbach -130; X: +303 Draw; FC Augsburg+430
Spread -0.5: Borussia Mönchengladbach -132 ; FC Augsburg +125
Total +2.5: Over -130; Under +131
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH
Borussia Monchengladbach welcomes the FC Augsburg to the Borussia-Park Stadium this Saturday. The hosts are ranked 9th in the German Bundesliga, just five points shy of Europa league qualification, an accolade currently held by Hertha BSC Berlin. If the club can pick up all three points this Saturday, they could see themselves climb up three places in the league, and go level on points with the FC Freiburg.
The club won their most recent match away to the Mainz (2:1), but lost their last home game, to the top five side Borussia Dortmund (2:3). The club has performed sufficiently on home soil, and currently possesses the tenth best home record in the German Bundesliga this season. Out of their fifteen matches played as the hosts, the Borussia Monchengladbach has won seven, lost five and drawn three times. The side has won five of their previous ten competitive fixtures, and will hope to return to winning ways at home, when they welcome the travelling side FC Augsburg this Saturday.
The German midfielder Lars Stindl is the clubs current top goals corer, the 28 year old has found the net eleven times domestically for his club, with a tally of seventeen goals in all competitions. The Brazilian attacking midfielder Raffael has found the net on six occasions this season in the league, and has scored a dozen goals in all competitions.
The Swiss forward Josip Drmic is out for the rest of the season, whilst the German International Christoph Kramer is sidelined due to a Knee injury, and is not expected to return to the side until late April, Oscar Wendt is also out of action, until the mid summer after sustaining an Elbow injury. The defender Fabian Johnson has returned to training after his absence following a Thigh injury, and should be available for selection, whilst the defensive midfielder Tony Jantschke is unlikely to play Saturday’s match due to persistent Wrist and Thigh problems.
FC AUGSBURG
FC Augsburg is currently ranked 13th in the German Bundesliga this season, and is looming perilously over the relegation zone, just two points clear of the bottom three, and six points clear of automatic relegation, as we enter the final chapters of a nail biting end to this season. The stats are bleak for the FC Augsburg away from home this season as the side has lost eight of their fifteen matches played on the road, and has only managed to claim victory on four occasions as the travelling team.
The side won their last league fixture at home, in a comprehensive victory (4:0), that will help to galvanize the team ahead of Saturday’s critical league game. On the other hand, the club has struggled away from home in this campaign, and has lost their last four matches as the visiting outfit.
The club has failed to harvest any momentum in the German Bundesliga this season, partly due to a lack of attacking potency in the final third, as a result, their top goal scorer Halil Altintop has netted just four times, and is experiencing a dry patch of late, that has seen the striker go just over a month, without finding the net. His fellow teammates Raul Bobadilla, and Ji-Dong-Won, has each scored three times in the Bundesliga this season.
The South Korean midfielder Ja Cheol Koo is still absent with a Knee injury, and is not expected to return to the side until the beginning of next season, whilst the 21 year old midfielder Marco Schuster is still treating a Hip injury, that the player sustained last weekend, and is unlikely to feature in this Saturday’s league match. The 21 year old defender Raphael Framberger and Serbian midfielder Gojko Kacar are also recovering from injury, but could make it onto the bench for Saturday’s battle against FC Augsburg.
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH vs. FC AUGSBURG MATCH PREDICTION
The Borussia Monchengladbach will want to finish this season on a high note, safely inside the top ten, and with European football within touching distance, the club will be desperate to come away with all three points this Saturday, against the travelling FC Augsburg.
In contrast, the FC Augsburg will be hungry to secure their place in the top flight for next season, and a victory on Saturday could see this side climb above their league rivals Bayer Leverkusen.
Who will claim the spoils of war this Saturday? I am inclined to put my money on Borussia Monchengladbach, the side is chasing European football next season, and I think they will eventually overpower a travelling side, that has been restricted going forward this season, especially away from home. In addition, the both teams have combined for a lot of goals domestically in their last 5 matches, so I expect that trend to continue, which is why I am going with the over 2.5 goals!!!
MY PICK: BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH (-130)
TOTAL: Over 3.5 goals (-130)
