The German Bundesliga returns, and Bayern Munich are set to make a record-breaking 11th in a row title defence. While it may sound uneventful to bet outright on the league, week after week German excellence brings us, the punter, value and added quality football viewing. Let’s take a closer look at gameweek one.
Friday 5 August
5/1 Eintracht Frankfurt | Draw 42/10 | Bayern Munich 9/20 (20:30)
The Europa League champions, Eintracht Frankfurt, are ready to start their Bundesliga campaign against juggernauts Bayern Munich.
Frankfurt’s most successful season in a few years means UEFA Champions League football, which means more money, which results in better on field personnel. The Eagles have made a host of acquisitions, but more notably World Cup winner Mario Gotze joins alongside centre-forward Lucas Alario from Bayer Leverkusen and Danish winger Jens Petter Hauge from AC Milan.
The defending Bundesliga champions have also made quality purchases and should, through hard work, easily dominate the league again. For this early encounter, straight bets are difficult to place, so I’m backing the Totals Market of Over 2.5 at 4/10.
Saturday 6 August
21/20 Bochum | Draw 24/10 | Mainz 13/10 (15:30)
Bochum managed to have a great first campaign back in the Bundesliga last season. While they have bolstered their attacking options, they have yet to replace their key centre-back partnership.
The loss of Armel Bella-Kotchap to Southampton will be hard to replace, while Mainz have signed Bochum’s Maxim Leitsch, who featured in a number of fixtures already. The appeal with the away team is there, but they struggled on the road last campaign, losing to Bochum in two away fixtures. Back the home team on the Draw No Bet at 11/10.
17/20 Wolfsburg | Draw 28/10 | Werder Bremen 3/1 (15:30)
Werder Bremen travel to the home of Wolfsburg in their Bundesliga return. The River Islanders missed Bundesliga 2 top honours by two points last season.
Wolfsburg are the stronger outfit on paper, but don’t discount a quick start from a side with history. The draw is my play here.
23/10 Augsburg | Draw 5/2 | Freiburg 12/10 (15:30)
Freiburg’s first round progression in the DfB Pokal came as no surprise, except for the fact that they needed extra-time to get across the line. The away team’s dismantling of Augsburg 3-0 and 2-1 last season leaves little to no doubt as to who takes the three points here. Back Freiburg to get the victory.
8/10 Union Berlin | Draw 11/4 | Hertha Berlin 33/10 (15:30)
The massive Berlin Derby to kick off the Bundesliga campaign? Yes, Please! This fixture always excites me, and ever since both clubs met for the first time back in 2019, I’ve been hooked.
Union and Stadion An der Alten Försterei are a force to reckon with, always making the home ground advantage count, even holding Bayern on occasion. Get firmly behind the home side and add to all multiples.
12/10 Monchengladbach | Draw 26/10 | Hoffenheim 2/1 (15:30)
Borussia Monchengladbach started off their campaign with a 9-1 victory in round one of the DfB Pokal last weekend. Their other pre-season fixtures were up against tough opposition and their readiness was proved in the first professional fixture of the season. However, Hoffenheim is no pushover, finishing one point above their current opposition last campaign.
I’m covering as many bases as possible while trying to keep the value alive in this one. Back the Win/Draw Double Chance on the home side and Additional Totals over 2.5 at even money.
11/10 Dortmund | Draw 28/10 | Bayer Leverkusen 21/10 (18:30)
In my opinion, Borussia Dortmund are in for a tough season. Losing Erling Haaland, and his replacement, Sebastian Haller ahead of the campaign will drop moral and tactics to low levels we have not seen at Munich’s biggest competitors. 20-year-old Karim Adeyemi joining from RB Leipzig was a long-term plan, but the youngster will have to make his presence felt. Things are a little all over the place for BVB, while Bayer Leverkusen seem a lot more organized.
New striker Adam Hlozek got off the mark five minutes into his debut alongside attacking counterpart Patrick Schick, with that partnership looking to blossom quite nicely. The away team should get this one over the line.
Sunday 7 August
33/10 Stuttgart | Draw 29/10 | RB Leipzig 8/10 (15:30)
Sunday’s opening day fixture is a blockbuster, Stuttgart verse RB Leipzig at the Mercedez Benz Arena. RB Leizpig were able to retain Christopher Nkunku this transfer window despite numerous suitors.
The French international netted 35 goals and assisted 20 times across all competitions last campaign and you can be sure he hits the ground running again. Look out for Nkunku as an Anytime Goalscorer currently valued at 43/10. The away team at 8/10 is one for all multiples.
15/20 Cologne | Draw 3/1 | Schalke 33/10 (17:30)
Schalke are back in the Bundesliga. A trophy-winning campaign earned a quick turnaround time for the Royal Blues, spending just one season below Germany’s elite.
We all know where they belong and now, they face Cologne who impressed last time out, earning a spot in the new Europa Conference League. It’s bound to be a tight affair, but Cologne might just edge this one.
QUAD @ 9/1
Bayern Munich Win 9/20
Bochum Draw No Bet 11/10
Union Berlin Win 8/10
RB Leipzig Win 8/10
