Sadio Mane got off the mark, netting in an emphatic 6-1 win away to Eintracht Frankfurt, while their toughest competitors, Borussia Dortmund, edged to a 1-0 victory at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
Things have only just begun, and all is looking as it should in the league of excellence. For us, the punter, this week is promising, check out the enticing 5/1 treble that leaves no doubt.
Friday 12 August
2/1 Freiburg | Draw 26/10 | Borussia Dortmund 5/4
Freiburg may not be an eye-catching name on a fixture sheet, but their ability and team cohesion has been growing steadily.
A UEFA Europa League campaign awaits them after impressing last season courtesy of the Bundesliga Coach of the Year Christian Streich. Their opening fixture saw them score twice in both halves to trounce Augsburg 4-0 in their own backyard. Borussia Dortmund have their hands full, and a fair share of problems to worry about.
Still, with all in mind, the BVB were able to grind out a 1-0 win at Signal Iduna Park all thanks to club stalwart and captain Marco Reus slotting home as early as the 10th minute. The Both Teams to Score (Yes) market is screaming ‘pick me,’ but the value is not there. You can back the home side on the Win/Draw Double chance and Totals Over 1.5 at 17/20.
Saturday 13 August
7/20 Bayer Leverkusen | Draw 44/10 | Augsburg 13/2
Bayer Leverkusen finished one spot adrift of Dortmund last season but were unable to get a result when they faced them last weekend. A 1-0 loss to open the campaign away from home can be considered a write-off, and now they have a chance to show the Eternal Bridesmaids’ faithful they still mean business. The home side will be without first-choice goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky after he picked up a straight red card and now faces a three-match suspension. Augsburg is, in my opinion, will find themselves in a relegation battle this season, so get strongly behind the Leverkusen straight bet.
5/10 RB Leipzig | Draw 37/10 | Cologne 5/1
RB Leipzig welcome Cologne to the Red Bull Arena this weekend. The Red Bulls lost just four fixtures on home soil last season. They also defeated the Billy Goats by three goals to one as Christopher Nkunku stole the show.
Cologne’s confidence will be riding on a high after opening with a 3-1 victory over newly-promoted Schalke. Schalke was able to hold on for the remaining 10 minutes plus stoppage time in the first half, but the second saw all the action – four goals. Defeating 10 men posting up a major low block is not the easiest, but it doesn’t give a true indication of where the team is at. Back the home side to win here.
43/20 Hertha Berlin | Draw 49/20 | Eintracht Frankfurt 5/4
Hertha Berlin tasted the biggest second biggest defeat they could have this season losing 3-1 to eternal rivals Union Berlin. The only defeat that would be harder to swallow is a home loss to the same opponent.
Eintracht Frankfurt was always going to have a tough time facing Bayern Munich. The key takeaway is never giving up, and Oliver Glasner’s men never did, finding the back of the net after already being five goals down. Both sides are riding heavy defeats and the safer play is for Both Teams to Score (Yes) at 6/10.
27/20 Werder Bremen | Draw 51/20 | Stuttgart 39/20
Werder Bremen showed character to come from behind and take the lead against Wolfsburg last time out. One thing they did fail to show is the ability to maintain a game.
A tougher opponent, in Stuttgart, is bound to make that kind of complacency suffer. Back the away side to come home flying.
11/20 Hoffenheim | Draw 7/2 | Bochum 42/10
Opening defeats for both Hoffenheim (3-1) and Bochum (1-2) leaves me looking at the quality in personnel and level of opponent either side faced.
Monchengladbach away is a tough ask of Hoffenheim, while Mainz at home should even see a side like Bochum pick up a possible point. The positive from each club’s fixture is finding the back of the net. Hoffenheim to win and Both Teams to Score (Yes) is the play here at 37/20.
2/1 Schalke | Draw 26/10 | Monchengladbach 5/4
Schalke’s first home game back in the Bundesliga will be a site to behold. The only thing I am unable to overlook is their opponent.
Borussia Monchengladbach overcame Hoffenheim by three goals to one, and I’m afraid the scoreline is panning out to be quite similar. Even though they lost key centre-forward Bree Embolo to French side AS Monaco, Marcus Thuram has stepped up his efforts. Back the away club to get across the line.
Sunday 14 August
13/10 Mainz | Draw 23/10 | Union Berlin 22/10
Union Berlin showed their home dominance against rivals Hertha Berlin winning 3-1. However, travelling on the road is a whole different ball game for this club.
Mainz are now four games undefeated, including two club friendlies and a DFB Pokal away victory. The Carnival club is about to put on a show in their first home professional fixture of the season. Back the home club to get all three.
1/7 Bayern Munich | Draw 8/1 | Wolfsburg 14/1
Poor Wolfsburg, they have to face a striking partnership of Serge Gnabry and Sadio Mane who got his debut Bundesliga goal all wrapped up already. If one of the two is subbed off, Leroy Sane is waiting in the wings. Back Bayern Munich to win both halves and scare off the Wolves at 9/10.
TREBLE @ 5/1
Bayer Leverkusen Win 7/20
Stuttgart Win 39/20
Hoffenheim Win 11/20
