German Bundesliga: Gameweek 4 Preview

Mainz host Bayer Leverkusen at the Opel Arena in our first match. The Carnival club have an uphill task ahead of them after losing all three of their games to the likes of Leipzig, Stuttgart and Union Berlin, conceding 11 goals in the process, worrying signs for a club that managed to avoid relegation by six points last season. Bayer Leverkusen will be aiming to kick-start their current season against weaker opponents who seem to concede way too many goals after sharing the spoils with Wolfsburg, Leipzig and Stuttgart. Take the visitors to claim maximum points at Mainz for the sixth consecutive meeting in all your weekend trebles at 6/10.

Hertha Berlin have signed 21-year-old French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi from Arsenal to bolster their team. Following their opening day 4-1 win at Werder Bremen, the Old Lady have suffered back-to-back defeats to Eintracht Frankfurt (3-1) and Bayern Munich (4-3). Stuttgart were beaten by Freiburg but bounced back with a 4-1 win at Mainz and held Bayer Leverkusen to a 1-1 draw last time out at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Recent meetings and current form suggest that this will be a goal-fest, take Both Teams to Score (Yes) at 5/10.

Hoffenheim were brought back down to earth with the 2-1 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt just a week after shockingly beating Bayern Munich 4-1. Croatian striker Andrej Kramaric is in red-hot form, having scored eight goals in four appearances for Die Kraichgauer this season and will carry the biggest threat to the Dortmund defence. Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, have the biggest threat to any defence in my opinion, with 20-year-old Norwegian striker Erling Haaland. Another feast of goals is expected if you have a look at the betting for Both Teams to Score or Totals. I suggest taking Both Halves Over 1.5 Goals at 3/1.

Second-placed Augsburg are flying high and will next host log leaders RB Leipzig at the Augsburg Arena. The home side come into the clash full of confidence after keeping back-to-back clean sheets against Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg on route to tallying seven points from three matches. RB Leipzig also sit on seven points following victories over Mainz and Schalke at the Red Bull Arena and had to settle for a share the spoils at Leverkusen. Julian Nagelsmann’s Bulls will be aiming to run over Augsburg before hosting Turkish Super Lig champions Istanbul Basaksehir in their opening UEFA Champions League game which will carry massive importance as the other two teams in their group are Manchester United and PSG. Take Leipzig to claim their fourth consecutive victory over Augsburg at 11/20 in all your weekend multiples.

Freiburg enjoyed a decent start to the campaign, beating Stuttgart (3-2) and earned a point from their draw against Wolfsburg (1-1), but will be aiming to bounce back from their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Borussia Dortmund. Werder Bremen enjoyed wins against Schalke (3-1) and Arminia Bielefeld (1-0) following their opening day defeat to Hertha Berlin (4-1). Both clashes between these sides last season were cagey affairs with red cards involved. My value bet of the weekend is Werder Bremen to win at 21/10, but if you want to play it safer, go with the visitors on the Double Chance at 6/10.

Arminia Bielefeld are going to be welcomed back to the Bundesliga by the most powerful team in European football, Bayern Munich. The Blues’ matches have been low-scoring affairs to date but you get the feeling that the Bavarians are going to massacre the newly-promoted club. Let’s keep this short and sweet, select Bayern Munich to Win by Three Or More Goals in the Winning Margins market at 23/20.

Saturday’s action concludes with UEFA Champions League competitors Borussia Monchengladbach hosting Wolfsburg in the late kick-off. Marco Rose’s Monchengladbach have won 12 of their last 16 matches at Borussia Park, only failing to claim maximum points against the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen. The Foals will be hoping to finish off the game early as they travel to Italy and face Inter Milan in their opening UEFA Champions League game. Wolfsburg come into the clash off the back of three consecutive draws against Bayer Leverkusen, Freiburg and Augsburg. The Wolves have only scored once and conceded one goal in their three Bundesliga encounters. My money is on the home win.

Cologne will be desperate to get off the mark on Sunday after suffering three defeats to Hoffenheim, Arminia Bielefeld and Borussia Monchengladbach. The Billy Goats are winless in seven Bundesliga matches at the RheinEnergieStadion, which doesn’t bode well for their chances. Eintracht Frankfurt claimed back-to-back victories over Hertha Berlin and Hoffenheim following their draw on the opening day against new boys Arminia Bielefeld. The Eagles have a fantastic away record of four wins and a draw in their last five matches on their travels. The away win is tipped confidently.

Schalke are in trouble after shipping 15 goals in three consecutive defeats which led to coach David Wagner being replaced by Manuel Baum at the helm for the Royal Blues. Union Berlin earned their first win of the campaign by hammering Mainz 4-0 last time out, but have only won once in six games away from home. If you must have a punt, take Both Teams to Score (Yes) at 8/10.