Bayern Munich adding Sadio Mane to their squad is basically cheating, but what catches my eye is young German talent. Teenage sensation Jamal Musiala leads the race for the golden boot early on already netting three quality goals.
There is value in this gameweek, and with results and playing styles becoming more evident, the predictions will start to stack up.
Friday 19 August
11/20 Monchengladbach | Draw 34/10 | Hertha Berlin 44/10 (20:30)
After capitalizing on errors to gain a 2-1 advantage last time out, Monchengladbach conceded a penalty in injury-time. On a whole, the team fought well and deserved a full complement of points, but it was not to be. Hertha Berlin got off to a flying start, scoring the earliest goal of the Bundesliga so far this season, just three minutes in.
But the Europa League champions upped the ante after the half, netting an equalizer. Hertha Berlin was the better of the two sides and were unlucky to miss three glorious chances. The half-time draw at 29/20 is my play, but if you must pick a side, I believe Hertha could come away with the win.
Saturday 20 August
7/10 Bayer Leverkusen | Draw 33/10 | Hoffenheim 34/10 (15:30)
Bayer Leverkusen and Augsburg were the only teams not to score on matchday one, with both looking to bounce back from defeat, but for Leverkusen, another failed attempt to get off the mark ensued.
On the bright side, they were able to get their first goal of the season through midfielder Charles Aranguiz. It’s three straight defeats for Leverkusen and the away win is too enticing not to pass up, but to play it safe the Draw No Bet on the away team at 17/20 is as close to value as we can get.
4/10 Borussia Dortmund | Draw 44/10 | Werder Bremen 58/10 (15:30)
Borussia Dortmund’s new striker Anthony Modest signed from FC Cologne four days before their fixture against Freiburg heading straight into the starting XI.
Dortmund’s winning start to their campaign was backed up by a 3-1 away drubbing of Freiburg. Despite not getting onto the scoresheet, Modest and captain Marco Reus showed a very good understanding with brilliant link-up play on a few occasions. Back Borussia Dortmund to win, and for value, the new forward should get onto the scoresheet.
9/4 Augsburg | Draw 49/20 | Mainz 12/10 (15:30)
After losing 4-0 to Freiburg on the opening matchday, Augsburg was able to bounce back against Bayer Leverkusen, winning 2-1 on enemy territory.
Meanwhile, Mainz found a win on matchday one, courtesy of a Karim Onisiwa brace, but struggled to get over the line in a 0-0 draw last time out with Union. The home side is more enticing, but the draw is the most likely outcome here.
33/20 Stuttgart | Draw 5/2 | Freiburg 16/10 (15:30)
Two goals in just as many games for Freiburg striker Michael Gregoritsch means he sits one behind Bayern Munich young stunner Jamal Musiala (3). The 28-year-old scored 10 goals in the Bundesliga for Augsburg last campaign and has kicked off the campaign in fine fashion. He also managed to find the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Stuttgart last season.
Stuttgart will not make life easy for Freiburg, coming from behind to secure draws against RB Leipzig (1-1) and Werder Bremen (1-1) away from home. Draw/Win Double Chance the away team at 4/10 in all multiples.
9/10 Wolfsburg | Draw 28/10 | Schalke 28/10 (15:30)
Schalke enjoyed an emphatic 2-2 draw thanks to a late VAR-won penalty over Borussia Monchengladbach late in second-half stoppage time.
Wolfsburg, on the other hand, were destined for defeat as they headed away to face Bayern Munich. It’s a draw and a loss for the home side, but I’m expecting their first three points of the season.
5/2 Union Berlin | Draw 51/20 | RB Leipzig 21/20 (18:30)
Union Berlin’s last fixture was always going to be a tight affair, and it proved just that, a 0-0 draw away from home to Mainz. They will be relishing the chance to welcome RB Leipzig to their fortress where many teams struggle to get a result. Leipzig, however, have resigned Timo Werner, and he got off to a flying start with a thunderous effort from over 20 yards out.
A single effort was not enough and a share of the spoils for Leipzig was the result. Yussuf Poulsen has been out with an injury and now Dominik Szoboszlai will miss the next three matches after receiving a straight red. I am tipping Union to get the full three points.
Sunday 21 August
11/10 Eintracht Frankfurt | Draw 26/10 | Cologne 23/10 (15:30)
Last season Cologne fostered a never-say-die attitude until the final whistle, and it seems they have brought that into this campaign.
A 2-2 draw was the result, but luck was on the side of the Billy Goats. They played a full second half against 10 men and needed an own goal from Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol to earn a point. Despite a rough start to the season for Eintracht Frankfurt, the value on the home side is something we can’t pass up on.
10/1 Bochum | Draw 6/1 | Bayern Munich 2/9 (17:30)
Sadio Mane and Jamal Musiala, after scoring two and three goals in the opening two rounds respectively, were looking to extend that run against Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena where their opponents had never won.
Mane’s goal was ruled offside by VAR, but Musiala added to his tally alongside Thomas Muller to win 2-0. Bochum, on the other hand, started off strong with a Simon Zoller brace inside 15 minutes but eventually faltered to a 3-2 defeat. The defending champions will not be so sloppy and a win to nil will be the result at 14/10.
QUAD @ 9/1
Borussia Dortmund Win 4/10
Freiburg Win/Draw Double Chance 4/10
Eintracht Frankfurt Win 11/10
Bayern Munich Win To Nil 14/10
