The 2018/19 German Bundesliga season kicks off on the 24th of August 2018. Check out our in-house tipster’s picks for round one.
The German Bundesliga graces us with its return on Friday evening as six-time defending champions play host to Hoffenheim. Will this be another case of Bavarian domination? Or can at least one of their title-contenders step up and give the champs a run for their money?
Well, we have 34 rounds of action to find that out but let’s take it one step at a time and find out what’s brewing in the opening gameweek.
Friday 24 August
Bayern Munich 2/9
Draw 11/2
Hoffenheim 19/2
Draw 11/2
Hoffenheim 19/2
Bayern Munich will look to kick-start the season with a bang when they welcome Hoffenheim to the Allianz Arena on Friday night. The Bavarians won 14 of their 17 home games, scoring 56 goals and conceding just 15 times.
Hoffenheim will be looking to build on last season’s third-place finish and they’ve made enough signings to do just that. They might have strengthened their team but I don’t think they are strong enough to be the defending champions. However, ‘Die Kraichgauer’ are solid defensively and are tipped to keep the scoring low. Under 2.5 goals is tipped at a valuable 19/10.
Saturday 25 August
Hertha Berlin 1/1
Draw 47/20
Nuremburg 11/4
Draw 47/20
Nuremburg 11/4
Hertha Berlin were less than satisfactory last season as they struggled to win matches and never looked to find their feet. Newly-promoted Nuremburg did well to claim a second-place finish and gain promotion but they will need to be even better if they are to stay in the top flight.
Nonetheless, its teams like Hertha Berlin where you need to try and get points. Another low-scoring contest is on the cards so I suggest taking the Under 2.5 Goals market yet again at 15/20.
Werder Bremen 19/20
Draw 26/10
Hannover 26/10
Draw 26/10
Hannover 26/10
The hosts managed just 10 wins from 34 matches last season and desperately need to improve that stat. Hannover were worse, however, finishing the 2017/18 season three points below Werder Bremen and just six above the relegation zone.
The River Islanders have made a few decent acquisitions during the transfer window and have the quality to make a winning start to the season. Back the home team to get the victory.
Freiburg 27/20
Draw 22/10
Eintracht Frankfurt 21/10
Draw 22/10
Eintracht Frankfurt 21/10
Freiburg have shown glimpses of a well-oiled team capable of a good season. Eintracht Frankfurt, on the other hand, have had a miserable pre-season with three friendly losses and a 5-0 hammering in the German Super Cup from none other than Bayern Munich.
Speaking of the latter, it goes to show that the loss of manager Niko Kovac to the Bavarians has left a huge hole at the Eagles – take their pre-season as exhibit A. Freiburg are tipped to capitalize on home advantage.
Dusseldorf 31/20
Draw 22/10
Augsburg 18/10
Draw 22/10
Augsburg 18/10
Out of most Bundesliga teams, Fortuna Dusseldorf are probably one of the most prepared and that’s because after winning the second division, their objective will be to impress in the top flight. The newcomers won six of their seven club friendlies as well as hammering RW Koblenz 5-0 in the DFB Pokal.
Augsburg looked pretty much ordinary in their run in to the new season besides their new signings. They only registered four wins from 17 matches on the road last term and I doubt that will improve much this time around. Get on Dusseldorf to get off the mark with three points.
Wolfsburg 21/10
Draw 9/4
Schalke 27/20
Draw 9/4
Schalke 27/20
Wolfsburg remained in the top flight by the skin of their teeth after surviving the promotion/relegation play-offs. The Wolves were terrible on home soil last term with just three wins from 17 matches but looked excellent in pre-season, seeing off the likes of Ajax (3-0) and Napoli (3-1) in club friendlies, so you can expect a fired up team come Saturday.
Schalke’s second-place finish last season shows that they are on the up and ready to mount a challenge for the title but their lack of depth and quality might just hold them back. Both meetings finished 1-0 in favour of the Royal Blues last term but a more attacking game of football looks likely. Take Both Teams to Score – Yes – at 8/10.
Monchengladbach 18/10
Draw 5/2
Bayer Leverkusen 14/10
Draw 5/2
Bayer Leverkusen 14/10
Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen will bring Saturday Bundesliga action to a close with what promises to be an entertaining fixture. The Borussians lacked consistency last season and their attacking prowess was impressive in pre-season but their defensive game was poor.
Bayer Leverkusen struggled to find any sort of rhythm in their build-up to the new season and failed to impress against the bigger teams when it came to club friendlies. As is, Monchengladbach might have their problems but they are looking much stronger than their opponents. The home team should be backed to get the job done.
Sunday 26 August
Mainz 17/10
Draw 22/10
Stuttgart 33/20
Draw 22/10
Stuttgart 33/20
With only nine wins from 34 matches, Mainz never looked like finding a winning formula last term as they placed 14th on the table, just three points above the danger zone. However, there are plenty of positives to take from Mainz and their preparation for the upcoming season with five friendly wins and a draw – which resulted in a defeat in penalties – from six matches.
Following their return to the Bundesliga last season, Stuttgart endured a successful campaign to claim seventh place on the standings, just four points adrift of the UEFA Champions League spots. They can only get better from there and something they need to work on is their gameplay away from home after suffering 10 losses from 17 travels last term. Expect a lightening start to this encounter with both sides tipped to come out firing. Get on the 1st Half – Both Teams to Score (Yes) as my value bet at 32/10.
Borussia Dortmund 8/10
Draw 29/10
Leipzig 3/1
Draw 29/10
Leipzig 3/1
It’s only fitting that we saved the best fixture for last with Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig expected to challenge Bayern Munich for the title. The Black and Yellow Army might have finished two points above the Red Bulls last season but neither side showed any signs of giving the Bavarians a proper fight for the title.
Both teams know how important it is to make a bright start to the new season and hope to make a statement whilst doing it. Neither side look ready after inconsistent pre-season tours and with that being said, I’m going with the straight draw at 29/10.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 15/1
Freiburg Win 14/10
Dusseldorf Win 15/10
Monchengladbach Win 18/10
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