The two-match analysis that we have prepared for you features two very interesting showdowns between teams that have mostly entered the season in more than a satisfying way. Freiburg is an exception as they managed to get only one point out of the first two weeks in the new Bundesliga season, but Dortmund is 100% with two wins and no goal conceded yet. The second matchup features one of the most unpredictable teams, Wolfsburg and the newcomer in the Bundesliga, Hannover 96, who also collected six points from the first two rounds.
The expectations from these two matches are set very high when it comes to the quality of soccer but our goal is to determine some valuable outcomes in order to provide you with a handful of quality picks so let’s take a closer look.
SC Freiburg vs. Borussia Dortmund
Three-Way: 1: SC Freiburg +700; X: +415 Draw; Borussia Dortmund -192
Spread +1: SC Freiburg +138; Borussia Dortmund -143
Total +3: Over +102; Under -105
SC FREIBURG
Elimination in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League competition by the Slovenian side Domzale has shown that there is something wrong with the SC Freiburg team and their performances in the first two rounds of Bundesliga only worsened the predicament. The goalless draw at home against equally poor Frankfurt team and a 4:1 road defeat against RB Leipzig should turn the red lights on but I don’t think that they can change the negative trend against the opponent like Dortmund. Only one goal scored in the first two weeks is just not enough to turn the page on the right side.
Against RB Leipzig they managed to play one halftime very well with a goal by the summer signing Florian Niederlechner but they got drowned in the second half, conceding four goals in the process to give the host much-needed win. Head coach Christian Streich experimented with the formation in the first two matchups as he set only one striker in week 1 opposed to three attackers in week 2. It looks like he still hasn’t figured out the right tactical angle or the starting lineup for the team but hopefully, he can iron this up in the game in which no one actually expects them to win.
Nicolas Hofler is suspended for 1 match because of a red card against RB Leipzig and he will not be available on Saturday. Marc-Oliver Kempf (muscle) is out until next month while Manuel Gulde (back) should be back in a few weeks. Nils Petersen’s (hip) and Jonas Meffert’s (foot) status is unknown while Georg Niedermeier (back) is listed as day to day. Florian Niederlechner (hip) is back in training.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND
A perfect start mission is accomplished as the Black and Yellows collected six points after the first two weeks with five goals scored and no goals conceded that puts them on the top of the Bundesliga table currently. Now it’s time to extend the period of quality performances as they face the opponent whose start of the season looks quite opposite than their own.
The first two matchups presented the display of efficiency and dominance as they defeated Wolfsburg on the road, 3:0 and Hertha at Westfallen, 2:0. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has already separated himself on the Bundesliga goal scoring list with two of five total Dortmund’s goals scored. It looks like the arrival of Peter Bosz really refreshed the squad but the main challenges are still in front of them and they need to show consistency if they want to make the case for the title.
Andre Schurle (thigh) should be back in a few weeks, same as Sebastian Rode (groin). Raphael Guerreiro (foot) is expected to be out until at least mid-October while Hendrik Bonmann (knee) and Marco Reus (cruciate ligament) are expected to get back on the field in November. Eric Durm (hip) is listed as day to day while Marcel Schmelzer (ankle) is back in training.
SC Freiburg vs. Borussia Dortmund – Match Prediction
Consistency in quality performances is the main condition if Dortmund wants to be presented as the Bundesliga title contender this season and games like this one will be the difference maker. They look like a much stronger team than their next opponent and another win would be a logical choice. Still, by my opinion a goal scored by both teams looks like a bit safer option.
My pick: Both teams score YES (-120)
VfL Wolfsburg vs. Hannover 96
Three-Way: 1: VfL Wolfsburg +100; X: +275 Draw; Hannover 96 +365
Spread -0.5: VfL Wolfsburg -112; Hannover 96 +110
Total +2.5: Over +106; Under -111
VFL WOLFSBURG
A home loss and a road win looked just like an outcome that will fit the Wolves after the first two weeks of Bundesliga play and as usual they didn’t disappoint. One of the most ungrateful teams when it comes to predicting outcomes will host the newly promoted team that won both Bundesliga games this season and our main phrase here is to expect the unexpected. Wolfsburg team got humiliated in the opener against Borussia Dortmund in front of their own crowd (0:3 loss) but then regained the fans’ confidence with a 1:0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on the road just before the international break.
Only goal scorer for the team so far is attacking midfielder Daniel Didavi and it’s time for strikers to wake up and contribute for the team by doing their job. Hopefully, with this kind of a mind set the team will avoid the last season’s destiny when they needed to secure the survival in the top Bundesliga after additional playoff matchup against third ranked Zweita team.
Most expensive summer signing defender John Anthony Brooks (thigh) will be out until mid-November while Jeffrey Bruma (knee) should be back in a few weeks. Kaylen Hinds (cold) s listed as day to day while Adelino Vierinha (ankle) should be available in few days. Christian Trasch (unknown) is back in training.
HANNOVER 96
After finishing ranked second in the second tier of German soccer (Zweita), the Hannover team entered the new season with two 1:0 wins that has gained the momentum for the team and will definitely present a very valuable credit during the remainder of the Bundesliga season. We don’t want to downgrade the team by predicting the battle for survival but having in mind the strength of their roster this could become the reality at one point.
Nevertheless, there is a well established tradition of newly promoted team making a big impact right away and there is a still slight chance of that happening in this case. Defensive unit looked remarkable in the first two rounds and they’ll need to continue the good work if they want to stay undefeated.
Edgar Prib (cruciate ligament) will be out until February next year while Miiko Albornoz’s (thigh) and Noah-Joel Sarenren-Bazee’s (thigh) status is unknown. Uffe Bech (knee) is listed as day to day.
VfL Wolfsburg vs. Hannover 96 – Match Prediction.
If there is a week 3 game in German Bundesliga that is supposed to be a high-scoring one it’s this one. In four matchups combined that these two teams have played in first two rounds no game has seen both teams score and this could finally be the time for it. Still, 1:1 doesn’t sound right and a 2:1 win by one of the teams looks more likely.
My pick: Both teams score YES (-105)
Additional pick: Over 2.5 goals (+106)
