Our German Bundesliga writer previews matchday 22 of the 2016/17 season.
Ugly scenes followed Bayern Munich’s last-gasp equaliser in the German capital, with Hertha Berlin goalkeeper Rune Jarstein booting the ball into the back of Xabi Alonso from close range, prompting an on-pitch brawl between the two sides.
Berlin fans spat at Carlo Ancelotti as he made his way down the tunnel, to which he raised a middle finger. Meanwhile, Dortmund’s south stand was empty as punishment for their involvement in a troubled fixture with Leipzig earlier in the month. The Bundesliga is certainly reaching fever pitch.
Friday 24 February
Wolfsburg 17/20 | Draw 26/10 | Werder Bremen 3/1
Wolfsburg were easily beaten 3-0 by Dortmund last weekend, Jeffrey Bruma opening the scoring with an own goal. After a brief run of form, Wolfsburg have now lost three of their last four matches. Werder Bremen broke a four-match losing streak to pick up three points away from home at Mainz.
Serge Gnabry scored his eighth goal of the season in the 2-0 win. Werder Bremen occupy the relegation playoff spot, only three points behind Wolfsburg, and this will be an important clash for both struggling clubs. Over 2.5 Goals at 7/10 is the tip.
Saturday 25 February
Bayern Munich 1/6 | Draw 6/1 | Hamburger 14/1
With Bayern Munich trailing to Hertha Berlin, Robert Lewandowski struck his 16th goal of the season – timed at 95:59 – the latest Bundesliga goal since detailed records began in 2004/05. The draw means that Bayern still lead the league with a five-point advantage.
Relegation-threatened Hamburg squandered a chance to record a third successive win, drawing 2-2 with Freiburg. Hamburg missed a late penalty to win the match, but the point gained moved them out of the relegation zone. Over 3.5 Goals is the bet here at 23/20.
Leverkusen 7/10 | Draw 28/10 | Mainz 7/2
Javier Hernandez struck a brace as Leverkusen eased past Augsburg 3-1, lessening the pressure on manager Roger Schmidt. Two solid victories on the trot has moved Leverkusen up to eighth, with the future of their manager still uncertain after a season of inconsistency.
Mainz lost 2-0 at home to Werder Bremen last weekend, making it one win, two draws and two defeats in their last five matches. Mainz are not in the best form and this trip to a confident Leverkusen will be a difficult one. Back the home win at 7/10.
Darmstadt 37/20 | Draw 2/1 | Augsburg 31/20
Darmstadt lost 2-0 at Hoffenheim last weekend, condemning the club to their 10th away defeat of the season. Darmstadt are stone last and six points adrift of nearest club Ingolstadt. It will take nothing short of a miracle to stay in the top flight next season.
Augsburg lost 3-1 to Leverkusen in a match in which they made a good start but were unable to break the deadlock, losing momentum as Leverkusen grew into the match. Augsburg are five points clear of the drop zone and will know that they need results from matches such as this. Back the away win at 29/20.
Freiburg 17/4 | Draw 32/10 | Dortmund 11/20
Freiburg twice came from behind to salvage a point away in Hamburg, drawing 2-2. Goals from Maximilian Philipp and Vincenzo Grifo helped Freiburg to share the spoils, the club undoubtedly pleased with their position in ninth.
Dortmund moved up to third in the league, 13 points behind Bayern Munich, with a 3-0 victory over struggling Wolfsburg. It’s not been the best season for Dortmund, but one must think that an automatic place in the Champions league is now the goal. Back the away win at 11/20.
Leipzig 13/20 | Draw 28/10 | Cologne 7/2
Leipzig held on for a 2-1 win at Monchengladbach to cut Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga lead to five points. Emil Forsberg scored and assisted to end a two-match losing streak for the promoted side, ensuring that they stay on course for Champions League qualification.
Cologne picked up a useful point against Schalke to hold position in seventh. The stalemate ended a two-match losing streak to ensure that Cologne remain in touch with European qualification. I fancy Leipzig to get all three points at home at 13/20.
Hertha Berlin 21/20 | Draw 21/10 | Eintracht Frankfurt 28/10
Hertha Berlin were denied a victory over reigning champions Bayern Munich as Robert Lewandowski scored deep in stoppage time. While five minutes of added time were shown, Bayern scored in the sixth, prompting a post-match row and scathing comments from the Berlin camp regarding the officials.
Eintracht Frankfurt unexpectedly lost 2-0 at home to Ingolstadt with David Abraham sent off for a ludicrous studs-up challenge. Frankfurt missed a penalty to level the match and then conceded one at the other end. This could well be a fiery encounter, one I think the home side will win at 21/20.
Sunday 26 February
Ingolstadt 17/10 | Draw 2/1 | Monchengladbach 17/10
Ingolstadt beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 last weekend, an early goal followed by a penalty earned and converted by Mathew Leckie, who was then sent off for a high, studs-up challenge similar to one seen earlier in the match that reduced Frankfurt to 10 men. Ingolstadt are still struggling, second-from-bottom in the league.
Monchengladbach pulled one back to set up an exciting finale to their match against Leipzig but were unable to find another, losing 2-1. It leaves Monchengladbach stuck in mid-table in 11th place. Nevertheless, I fancy them to get something here on the Double Chance at 9/20.
Schalke 1/1 | Draw 49/20 | Hoffenheim 26/10
Schalke shared the spoils with Cologne last weekend, drawing 1-1. Alessandro Schopf’s 64-second opener was cancelled out two minutes before half-time. Schalke are now unbeaten in five matches in all competitions.
Two goals from substitute Andrej Kramaric was enough to see off Darmstadt 2-0 and gift Hoffenheim their third win from their last five matches. Some inconsistency has begun to creep into Hoffenheim’s away performances. For that reason, take a punt on the home win at even money.
TREBLE @ 9/2
Leverkusen Win 7/10
Dortmund Win 11/20
Hertha Berlin Win 21/20
Written by Rick John Henry @Hollywoodbets
Bet on these matches now at Hollywoodbets.net! Haven’t got an account? Open one here!
