The two-match preview of the round 2 in German Bundesliga competition is ready. Week 2 will feature some very interesting matchups including the ones that will take place at the Weserstadion where the defending champions will play the hosting Werder Bremen, and the Mercedes-Benz Arena where the Reds from Mainz will debut on the road against VfB Stuttgart.
For soccer fans in general, the return of national soccer championships in our lives is like a birthday gift as it also presents the time when the possibility of earning some extra money by picking solid betting picks comes to reality. Week 1 is over and there certainly is a trend that should send us in the right direction but we must be careful. The action is just getting started and there will definitely be some sharp turns in our journey of predicting most probable outcomes but he who dares wins so let’s take a closer look.
SV Werder Bremen vs. Bayern Munich
Three-Way: 1: SV Werder Bremen +1250; X: +615 Draw; Bayern Munich -303
Spread +1.5: SV Werder Bremen +133; Bayern Munich -125
Total +3.5: Over +100; Under -102
SV WERDER BREMEN
The Bundesliga week 1 didn’t go as planned for the team from Bremen and the fans are already thinking of that horrible start from the last year that featured only two wins in first 11 rounds. During the last weekend they got defeated by Hoffenheim at Rhein-Neckar-Arena 1:0 (Andrej Kramaric in the 85th minute) and now they’ll face a much formidable opponent at home, the Bundesliga defending champions Bayern Munich.
Similarly to the Eintracht Frankfurt team, Bremen will have to avoid long periods of poor results if they don’t want to make this season a living nightmare for their fans. It’s not long ago when Werder used to appear in European team competitions but I’m not sure that this roster has enough juice for it.
It’s pretty much the same team it was a year before with only one notable departure (Serge Gnabry to Bayern). Left-back Ludwig Augustinson who came from FC Copenhagen and new goalie Jiri Pavlenka from Slavia Prague were the starters last week in Sinsheim, recording solid performances.
Michael Zetterer (eye) and Izet Hajrovic (cruciate ligament) are back in training. Zlatko Junuzovic’s (Achilles tendon) and Philipp Bargfrede’s (unknown) status is unknown. Eric Oelschlagel (elbow) is listed to be ready in mid-September while Justin Eilers (cruciate ligament) should be available in few weeks. Niklas Moisander (thigh) is expected to be out until early October.
BAYERN MUNICH
The last season’s German Bundesliga Champions for the sixth consecutive year (27th title overall – most in Germany) opened the season well with a strong win against old foes Bayer Leverkusen scoring three goals in the process (3:1).
New signing centre-back Niklas Sule who came from TSG Hoffenheim for a fee worth 20.00 Million Euros had a dream debut, scoring the opener for his new team setting a foundation for a successful tenure at Allianz Arena. Another summer addition, midfielder Corentin Tolisso who signed from Olympique Lyon followed Sule’s footsteps and scored a second goal of the game for Bayern while Bayern’s most dangerous attacking weapon, Robert Lewandowski scored the third one for the team from a penalty at the start of the second half. The hunt for another title continues on the road this weekend and we’ll see if those significant retirements (Lahm, Alonso) will affect the squad.
Jerome Boateng (thigh) and Juan Bernat (ankle) should be back in early September while James Rodriguez (thigh) who came from Real Madrid on a loan deal is listed to be out until late August and it’s uncertain if he’ll be available on Saturday. Manuel Neuer (foot), Javier Martinez (calf) and Arjen Robben (thigh) are all back in training.
SV Werder Bremen vs. Bayern Munich – Match Prediction
The Bayern Munich team will have much tougher tests on the road than this one and if they fail here they should be worried. Still, I don’t think that is going to happen and my first pick here will be guests win. Also, this is the only matchup that has the potential for over 3.5 goals scored in total.
My pick: Bayern Munich +1.5 AH (-125)
Additional pick: Over 3.5 goals (+100)
VfB Stuttgart vs. 1. FSV Mainz 05
Three-Way: 1: VfB Stuttgart +140; X: +254; 1. FSV Mainz 05 +225
Spread -0.5: VfB Stuttgart +135; 1. FSV Mainz 05 -143
Total +2.5: Over -111; Under +110
VFB STUTTGART
Although we predicted a surprise win for the Stuttgart team in the opening round of the Bundesliga, that scenario didn’t play out as Hertha continued the last season trend of playing very well at home. The result was 2:0 for the hosts from Berlin and frankly, it looks like the Whites are a much weaker team than previously thought.
If they don’t wake up, another relegation that fits the in and out trend that painted the last decade of Stuttgart team play could be in order. Chance for redemption will present itself this Saturday as they’ll face another team with a season-opening loss FSV Mainz team and the outcome of this duel will have a great impact on either team morale and set the tone for the rest of the season.
Chadrac Akolo who signed from Swiss side FC Sion started the game but was later replaced while Orel Mangala played every minute just like the new goalie Ron-Robert Zieler who came from Leicester City.
Carlos Mane and Emiliano Insua will be out until early autumn with some knee afflictions while Daniel Ginczek (knee) will be back in few days. Anto Grgic’s (ankle) is day to day Timo Baumgartl (concussion) is back in training.
1 FSV MAINZ 05
The only time besides Wolfsburg that recorded a home loss in the opening match of the new Bundesliga season is Mainz. The only difference is that they managed to do that against the newcomer in the league Hannover 96 team. Staying above the relegation line in the league table will obviously be the main objective for the Reds but the battle for survival could be their reality this year.
The guy who should replace striker John Cordoba who was sold to Koln during the offseason, Bosnian national Kenan Kodro entered the game nine minutes before regular expired and couldn’t do much while he was on the field. Defender Abdou Diallo who came from AS Monaco and winger Viktor Fischer who was signed from Middlesbrough started the game but they lost themselves in a mediocre performance that resulted in a home loss. It looks like the departures of Cordoba, Florian Niederlechner, and Pierre Bengston made an impact on the team and they might need some time to adapt.
Jannik Huth (knee), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (thigh), Alexander Hack (ankle) and Gaetan Bussman (groin) are all unavailable for Saturday while Florian Muller (hip) and Niko Bungert (muscle) are back in training. Marin Sverko (muscle), Aaron Seydel (knee) and Gerrit Holtmann (thigh) are listed as day to day while Alexander Hack’s (ankle) status is unknown.
VfB Stuttgart vs. 1. FSV Mainz 05 – Match Prediction.
Another “small number of goals scored” type of a matchup. No need to complicate this one as under 2.5 goals in total pick almost a certainty. A draw sounds good as the end result because I don’t think that newly promoted Stuttgart team can take down the guests from Mainz.
My pick: Under 2.5 goals (+110)
Additional pick: Draw (+254)
