Hoffenheim v RB Leipzig
Over 2.5 goals has paid out in Hoffenheim’s last eight league games at their PreZero Arena while Leipzig’s last two league games away have seen over 2.5 total goals scored. While there could well be three or more goals scored in this fixture, I’m going to err on the side of caution and go for over 1.5 total goals. Hoffenheim have yet to be behind at half-time in their five matches played since the league returned while Leipzig, who trailed 1-0 at the interval of their first game back against Freiburg, have not trailed at the break in their last four.
Suggested bet: Under 3.5 total goals
Cologne v Union Berlin
Cologne’s incredible run of games in which there were three or more total goals scored came to an end last weekend when they drew 1-1 at Augsburg. I predicted there would be over 1.5 total goals which eventually landed, but it was close with both goals coming in the final four minutes. This game offers Cologne a chance to be involved in another match with over 2.5 total goals which would be their eighth successive home league game in which that has happened. They match up well with Union Berlin whose last four league games played away their capital home have seen over 2.5 pay out. The second half could be the highest scoring half given the defensive records of both sides. Cologne have conceded 10 first half goals in their last 13 league games while conceding 15 in the second half. Union have conceded 10 goals before the interval in their last 15 matches and given up 23 goals after half-time.
Suggested bet: Over 1.5 total goals
Dusseldorf v Dortmund
The bet that jumps out in this fixture is the second half being the highest scoring half. Of the last 51 goals scored in matches involving Dortmund, 35 (68.6%) have been scored in the second half. Of the last 39 goals netted in Dusseldorf’s last 15 league games, 25 (64.1%) have come after the interval. And the smart money would be on Dortmund to win the second half. The Yellow and Blacks have outscored their opponents 28-7 in the second half while Dusseldorf have been outscored 18-7 after half-time. Dortmund will be strong favourites to score the first goal also. They have done so in eight of their last nine league games while Dusseldorf have failed to open the scoring in their last three home games.
Suggested bet: Second half to be Dortmund’s highest scoring half
Hertha Berlin v Eintracht Frankfurt
These two sides have played the patient game in recent times with the majority of their goals scored coming in the second half. Hertha have scored 21 goals in their last 14 league games and 17 (80.9%) of them have come in the second half. Eintracht have scored 23 goals in their last 14 league encounters and 19 (82.6%) have been scored in the second half. I would expect that trend to continue in this fixture just as it did in the reverse fixture when three of the four goals were scored after the interval.
Suggested bet: Second half to be the highest scoring half
Paderborn v Werder Bremen
It’s a battle between the Bundesliga’s bottom two. Could this be the weekend that Paderborn’s exit from the Bundesliga is confirmed? They remain bottom 11 points from safety and eight points behind Dusseldorf who currently occupy the relegation play-off place. Steffen Baumgart’s side have not won any of their last 11 league games although they have drawn four of their five games since the league returned a month ago. Werder Bremen’s chances of surviving as each week passes but while there is hope, they will carry on fighting. Don’t expect too many goals in this encounter. Paderborn have failed to score in three of their last seven and when they have scored in the other four games, they have managed only one goal. Werder Bremen have failed to score in 10 of their last 17 matches. They have only scored multiple goals in one of those 17 matches.
Suggested bet: Under 3.5 goals
Wolfsburg v Freiburg
In terms of qualifying for European football next season, Freiburg are on the outside looking in. They are currently eighth in the table, two points behind Hoffenheim who are one place above them. A win at Wolfsburg will move them to within a point of their opponents who are sixth. The first meeting ended in a 1-0 win for Freiburg with the only goal coming five minutes from time. This is a difficult one to call in terms of betting purposes so I’m going to go for under 3.5 total goals.
Suggested bet: Under 3.5 total goals
Bayern Munich v Borussia Monchengladbach
Bayern Munich could be crowned champions if they beat Borussia Monchengladbach in the evening kick-off and Dortmund lose at Dusseldorf earlier on Saturday afternoon. If the leaders are to win this game, they will have to do it without two of their most influential players. Robert Lewandowski, who leads the league with 30 goals and Thomas Muller, who has a league-high 20 assists, are both suspended after picking up yellow cards last weekend. Their absence will allow Serge Gnabry the chance to lead the line. Gnabry ended a five-game goal drought in the league when he scored his side’s third in their 4-2 win at Bayer Leverkusen.
Suggested bet: Over 1.5 total goals
Mainz v Augsburg
The last 17 meetings between these two sides have seen at least two goals scored and I think that sequence could continue this weekend. Seven of Mainz’s last eight league games have seen over 1.5 total goals pay out while 18 of Augsburg’s last 19 league games have produced a minimum of two total goals scored. Neither of these sides are used to leading at half-time. Mainz have turned around at the break leading just once in their last six league games while the visitors have led at the interval once in their last eight. Goals have been more common in the second half of matches involving Augsburg than before the break. Of the last 14 league goals they have scored, 10 (71.4%) have come in the second half. And of the 29 league goals they have conceded, 24 (82.8) have been scored after half-time.
Suggested bet: Over 1.5 total goals
Schalke v Bayer Leverkusen
The final game of Matchday 30 sees Bayer Leverkusen travel to Schalke. The form book suggests this should be a straightforward away win. Schalke’s search for a win continues as last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Union Berlin was the 12th straight game without a win. Leverkusen led league leaders Bayern for 17 minutes before the champions-elect went on to win 4-2. I’m going for the visitors to score the first goal in this game. Leverkusen has been quick out of the blocks scoring the first goal in seven of their last eight league games while Schalke has conceded the opening goal in six of their last eight,
Suggested bet: Leverkusen to score the first goal