PREVIEW: The German Bundesliga returns with a mouth-watering set of fixtures

Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig take centre stage in a top-of-the-table clash, while champions Bayern Munich face a stern test away at in-form Freiburg and a host of relegation battles that are sure to add some more spice to proceedings.

Friday 1 April

27/20 Union Berlin | Draw 23/10 | Cologne 2/1 (20:30)

Union Berlin can leapfrog the visitors Cologne into seventh position with victory on Friday night. The Iron One’s need to turn the corner after tasting five losses in their past seven Bundesliga matches.

Cologne have been short in the goals column, but the results and performances have been impressive – competing against the top teams in the division prior to the international break. Take Both Teams To Score (Yes) to come home flying at 15/20 for the sixth straight meeting between the sides.

Saturday 2 April

5/10 Hoffenheim | Draw 7/2 | Bochum 46/10 (15:30)

Hoffenheim will be aiming to return to winning ways when Bochum make the trip to the PreZero Arena. The hosts won four consecutive games in February propelling Die Kraichgauer into the UEFA Champions League conversation but suffered a shock 3-0 loss to Hertha Berlin last time out.

Bochum are there for the taking with three defeats in four matches – only beating bottom-dwellers Greuther Furth and have one of the worst away records. Banker Hoffenheim at 5/10 odds.

9/20 Eintracht Frankfurt | Draw 37/10 | Greuther Furth 52/10 (15:30)

Eintracht Frankfurt have been preparing for their biggest game of the season – a midweek UEFA Europa League knockout against Xavi’s revitalised Barcelona on Thursday – but first the Eagles need to secure maximum points against bottom-of-the-barrel Greuther Furth. Interestingly, the Eagles have also lost four of their last five games on home soil, however, I can’t see Eintracht Frankfurt bottling this – banker the hosts at 9/20.

46/10 Freiburg | Draw 4/1 | Bayern Munich 9/20 (15:30)

In-form Freiburg entertain Bayern Munich with home advantage on their side at the Europa-Park Stadion. The two tightest defences in the division will lock horns after their last eight meetings between them have seen both teams score.

Freiburg will be hoping to upset the applecart against the champions. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have won just once in four away games across all competitions, struggling to put away Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim in recent matches. Freiburg have quality within their ranks, but I won’t tip the Bavarians to lose this time around – instead take Bayern Munich & Both Teams To Score (Yes) at 29/20 odds.

2/1 Arminia Bielefeld | Draw 23/10 | Stuttgart 27/20 (15:30)

Arminia Bielefeld and Stuttgart are separated by a single point and find themselves in the same situation – fighting against relegation, making this encounter a scintillating six-pointer.

The hosts come into the clash on a four-game losing streak without scoring a goal in the same period, while Stuttgart have improved with two wins from their last three games. Both Teams To Score (No) is my play at even money.

4/10 Bayer Leverkusen | Draw 4/1 | Hertha Berlin 52/10 (15:30)

Bayer Leverkusen’s defeats to Mainz (3-2) and Cologne (1-0) allowed Borussia Dortmund to regain the second position on the log standings. However, with a favourable set of fixtures lined up in April, I’m confident Die Werkself will return to winning ways.

Hertha Berlin snapped their 10-match winless spell with victory over Hoffenheim still leaving visitors precariously hovering around the relegation zone with only seven league games to be played. Bayer Leverkusen are short-priced favourites to put away the second leakiest defence in the division, get on!

14/10 Borussia Dortmund | Draw 26/10 | RB Leipzig 17/10 (18:30)

Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig meet at Signal-Iduna-Park in Bundesliga’s main event this weekend. The Yellow and Blacks are closer than other seasons, with Bayern Munich still in their sights – a mere six points away and with superstar Erling Haaland back to full fitness – we’re in for a thrilling title-race.

RB Leipzig shared the spoils with opponents of similar ilk against Freiburg (1-1) and Eintracht Frankfurt (0-0) during recent meetings but still have their feet firmly planted in the top-four. There’s going to be goals in this matchup, and I just can’t separate them. My value bet of the weekend: Draw & Both Teams To Score (Yes) at massive 32/10 odds.

Sunday 3 April

37/20 Augsburg | Draw 23/10 | Wolfsburg 29/20 (15:30)

Wolfsburg make the trip to the WWK Arena with hopes of piling the misery on Augsburg who are in the midst of a relegation scrap – which the Wolves are slowly pulling away from.

Augsburg have been scraping draws along the way and most have come on home soil, whereas their form on the road reads four defeats in five matches. This encounter has all the makings of a relegation six-pointer and Under 2.5 Goals is well worth a punt at 15/20 odds if you’re not brave enough to select the draw.

12/10 Borussia Monchengladbach | Draw 51/20 | Mainz 2/1 (17:30)

The Carnival Club, Mainz, take their show on the road to Borussia Park this Sunday to lock horns with Borussia Monchengladbach. The Foals claimed back-to-back victories over Hertha Berlin (2-0) and Bochum (2-0) prior to the international break and will be raring to continue building on that winning momentum.

Mainz home form and away form read is the complete opposite, on home soil they’ve earned four wins and five matches, while suffering four defeats in five games on the road. If we follow the trend, Borussia Monchengladbach is the way to go.

QUINTUPLE @ 30/1

Hoffenheim Win 5/10
Eintracht Frankfurt Win 9/20
Bayern Munich & BTTS 29/20
Bayer Leverkusen Win 4/10
Dortmund vs RB Leipzig – Draw & BTTS 32/10