As big-name players sit out this weekend’s action through injury and suspension, Bettorlogic look at what tends to happen in their absence. “Mauro Zarate was red-carded last weekend in Lazio’s defeat at Sampdoria and his absence should significantly damage Lazio’s chances of easing their relegation worries against Bari.” Click here to subscribe to Player PRO and have a free 14 day trial.
Bayer Leverkusen were held to a goalless draw last week and lost their spot at the top of the table. They may well struggle again this weekend, says Kevin Hatchett.
Kevin Hatchard attempts to continue his good run of tipping form and kicks off this week’s column with his reasoning as to why Bayer Leverkusen’s trip to Werder Bremen is likely to finish with a share of the spoils. “Bayer aren’t winning enough games away from home, and they may well find life tough against a Bremen side who have found their feet after a rough patch
Bayern Munich are the in-form side of the Bundesliga at the moment whilst Dortmund have come unstuck over the last couple of weeks. But with a huge Champions League match on the horizon for Bayern this could just be the week to oppose them… “Bayern are understandably strong favourites, but I think they’ll have one eye on the Champions League. They’re up against a Borussia Dortmund side who looked good before their mini-meltdown.” Bayer Leverkusen 1.68 vs Wolfsburg 5.8 , the draw 4.1 Bayer Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes insists he’s not panicking, despite watching Bayern Munich move ominously alongside his team at the top of the Bundesliga.
Bayer Leverkusen have history when it comes to throwing away the Bundesliga title from winning positions but this time round, under the leadership of Jupp Heynckes, they may just have what it takes to get over the line, says Ben Lyttleton. “This season, though, there are no such distractions for Jupp Heynckes and his team
“Magical” Matthew Walton urges us to look elsewhere than the 1.6 about Bayern Munich to win the Bundesliga this year and tells us why the winner market isn’t the only place they’re poor value… “This situation also highlights a perennial problem with Bayern. Rarely are they available at a backable, let alone a value, price. Expected to win the title every year the layers automatically have them have them short – too short
Kevin Hatchard tells us how Louis Van Gaal seems to have lost the Bayern Munich dressing room just months into his reign and where our money should be on this weekend’s Bundesliga matches. “Such open dissent spells real trouble for van Gaal. He has a history of failing to control players with big egos, and only seems to get the best out of teams when he has a captive audience.” Bayern Munich 1.92 vs Bayer Leverkusen 4.5 , the draw 3.75 If the pressure wasn’t on Bayern boss Louis van Gaal before, it certainly is now after general manager Uli Hoeness described Sunday’s clash with leaders Bayer Leverkusen as “the game of the season.” Bayern are eighth after winning just five of their 12 Bundesliga matches, and they have failed to convince in recent draws against Stuttgart and Schalke.
Whereas in the likes of England and Spain the league winners end up being the same teams and safety is the key word, the Bundesliga continues to be an advert for unpredictability and attacking football, says Jonathan Wilson. “But the football on offer is still far from universally attritional, yielding 2.72 goals per game
