Bayern buys Douglas Costa and Vidal set to star in German Super Cup
Last term’s two meetings between Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg ended with one win apiece, so the Bundesliga champions and their closest challenges can lay down an early maker in this Super Cup curtain raiser for the German domestic season.
Despite their shock 4-1 loss when on the road back in January, Coral make Pep Guardiola’s men odds-on 8/11 favourites for victory and Die Wolfe 29/10 chances to triumph in 90 minutes. A draw, which means going beyond that, is priced up at 5/2.
Both Bayern and Wolfsburg, who are desperate to topple the established order in Munich, have made major signing in their respective title tilts. Guardiola has alienated some sections of the Allianz Arena outfit’s support by allowing vice-captain and German national skipper Bastian Schweinsteiger to leave for Manchester United.
However, capturing Copa America winner Arturo Vidal, who also scooped a Scudetto and Coppa Italian double (as well as a Champions League final appearance) at Juventus last term, as a replacement should more than fill the void left in central midfield.
Prior to his Serie A switch, combative all-rounder Vidal played Bundesliga football with Bayer Leverkusen and he did score on his last appearance for them against Die Wolfe. Anytime odds of 7/4 are thus tempting.
Bayern boss Guardiola has also drafted in Douglas Costa, another Copa America player with Brazil, to relieve the ageing legs of wide duo Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben. He is slightly better at 15/8 in the same market, but this is a big step up from the domestic opposition he played against with Shakhtar Donetsk.
For punters preferring the tried and tested, Poland poacher Robert Lewandowski has averaged a goal every other game against Wolfsburg with five in 10, and that makes him a fantastic 4/1 shout to break the deadlock.
The same can be said of Munich menace Thomas Muller, who has six in a dozen outings and four in as many matches when paired with this opposition, so is even better at 5/1 to fire home first. Bayern winger Robben’s stats of seven in 11 are the best, though, and he holds the same odds as the German World Cup scoring wizard to grab the opener.
Not to be left behind, Wolfsburg have also added to their attack by buying Borussia Monchengladbach frontman Max Kruse, who was part of an attacking ensemble cast there that fired his now former side to third place.
Unhappily for Germany international Kruse, though, he has never scored in eight career competitive attempts against Munich, so anytime odds of 2/1 can be treated with healthy scepticism by punters.
At the same price, last term’s key performer Kevin De Bruyne is much better value, though. Whether the Belgium international assists machine remains with the Volkswagen Arena outfit remains to be seen, but should be involved here.
Dutch striker Bas Dost may see his place come under threat from Kruse in the longer term, if his outstanding form in 2014/15 turned out to be a flash in the pan. His brace when Die Wolfe humbled Bayern in the previous encounter proved key, and a repeat performance or better is a nifty 9/1.
Punters should not discount impact sub Andre Schurrle either. Off the bench, for former club Chelsea and country he has proved to be really effective. It’s 8/1 Schurrle has the final say.
Coral’s top tip: Tasty 12/5 odds say Munich will win but both teams shall score.
