Bundesliga Betting: Bayern to come out on top in the big game of the week
Kevin Hatchard tells us about the turnaround in fortunes at Bayern Munich that has resulted in Luca Toni moving on to Roma and Louis Van Gaal being in the fans’ good books. It’s Werder Bremen away this week and there’s no reason why their momentum should be stopped.
“Bayern’s return to form has seen them rise to third in the Bundesliga, just two points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen. Van Gaal looked set for the chop a couple of months ago, but a massive improvement in the team’s work-rate and ability to score goals has strengthened his position.”
Werder Bremen 3.4 vs Bayern Munich 2.3, the draw 3.55
It took a while but Bayern Munich and coach Louis van Gaal have finally got their act together. An extraordinary 4-1 Champions League victory at Juventus proved to be a real turning point in the Bavarians’ season, and they’ve won their last seven matches in all competitions.
Bayern’s return to form has seen them rise to third in the Bundesliga, just two points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen. Van Gaal looked set for the chop a couple of months ago, but a massive improvement in the team’s work-rate and ability to score goals has strengthened his position. The Dutchman used this new power to win his battle with Italian malcontent Luca Toni, who’s been packed off to Roma. Toni’s ultimatum had been “play me or I go”, so he went.
The return of talismanic French winger Franck Ribery from injury strengthens Bayern still further. Ribery’s been out of action for three months because of knee and toe problems, but even if he plays a cameo role against Werder on Saturday, it could prove crucial.
Werder Bremen have seen their title challenge falter after a run of three straight Bundesliga defeats, and they are ten points off top spot. The goals have completely dried up for Thomas Schaaf’s previously effervescent side, with Werder finding the net just once in four matches. Playmaker Mesut Ozil was named the Bundesliga’s best player in the first half of the season, but he hasn’t scored since November 21st. That goal came in Werder’s only win in eight Bundesliga matches, a 6-0 demolition of Freiburg.
RECOMMENDATION:
Werder’s season is unravelling, and with Ribery back in action for a Bayern side who are absolutely flying, an away win looks the way to go. Back Bayern to win at 2.3
Mainz 2.06 vs Hannover 4.1, the draw 3.5
It’s been a traumatic season for Hannover both on and off the pitch. The tragic suicide of their goalkeeper Robert Enke has understandably affected the team’s performances, and they haven’t won a game since.
Hannover have slipped into the dropzone after losing their last three matches, and last week’s pitiful 3-0 home defeat to rock-bottom Hertha Berlin cost coach Andreas Bergmann his job. Mirko Slomka, who once led Schalke to the Champions League quarter-finals, is Bergmann’s replacement.
Slomka knows the club well, having previously worked there as Ralf Rangnick’s assistant, and his first job will be to organize a defence that has shipped 18 goals in the last seven matches.
Mainz surprised everyone before the winter break with some excellent results, and rookie coach Thomas Tuchel was named by his peers as the Bundesliga’s best coach in the first half of the season. However, a tough run of fixtures has seen the club lose momentum, and they’ve slipped to tenth after winning just one of their last eight league matches. They’ve found goals pretty hard to come by, hitting the net just four times in six matches.
RECOMMENDATION:
Mainz have a very good home record, but they’re having a difficult run. Hannover’s players will be keen to impress their new manager, and I think they might be able to nick a point. Back the draw at 3.5
Nurnberg 2.24 vs Eintracht Frankfurt 3.6, the draw 3.45
Nurnberg are in serious relegation trouble, lying second bottom and six points adrift of safety. Toothless doesn’t even begin to describe their impotent attack – Nurnberg have scored just 12 goals in 18 Bundesliga matches. They haven’t netted in any of their last five games, and new coach Dieter Hecking will be desperate to sign offensive reinforcements in the transfer window.
Despite coach Michael Skibbe’s revelation that he will quit at the end of the season, Eintracht Frankfurt are in fine fettle. They’re up to seventh after a five-match unbeaten run, and they beat big-guns Werder Bremen last week. They haven’t had Nurnberg’s recent problems in front of goal, scoring nine times in five games.
RECOMMENDATION:
With Nurnberg in real cow’s backside with a banjo territory and Eintracht improving week by week, I can’t understand why the price on an away win is so big. Back Eintracht Frankfurt to win at 3.6
