Bundesliga Preview: Can Gladbach shock Bayern as top-four race takes centre stage?
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The latest odds ahead of this weekend’s fixtures
With just four games left to play in the Bundesliga, the race for the top-four is heading for a very tight finish.
Borussia Dortmund look safe in second, but only three points separate RB Leipzig, Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen in third, fourth and fifth respectively.
One of them will have to miss out. And this weekend could be crucial. Before the action gets started, we’ve looked at the games involving the Champions League hopefuls this weekend.
Hoffenheim v RB Leipzig (Friday, 19:30)
Julian Nagelsmann returns to the Rhein-Neckar-Arena as an opposition manager for the first time tonight. It’s a crucial game for the visitors, though Hoffenheim have European ambitions of their own – they’re currently sitting in seventh.
Leipzig ran out 3-1 winners when these sides met last term. Our traders have them as 2/5 favourites here. Hoffenheim have stuttered a little since the restart, only winning two of their five games – they’re at 11/2, with 19/5 for the draw.
Timo Werner seems to be on the verge of a move to Chelsea, but he’s still the man to watch here. He leads the First Goalscorer market at 5/2, with Patrick Schick 5/4 to net for the fourth game running.
Andrej Kramaric and Munas Dabbur are both 8/1 to open the scoring or 12/5 to score anytime for the hosts.
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 14:30)
Dortmund have a four-point cushion over Leipzig, but with the two facing each other next weekend, Lucien Favre’s team can’t afford to slip up here.
They’re clear 4/11 favourites to beat the relegation-battling Dusseldorf. Without a home crowd cheering them on, it’ll be harder for the hosts to upset the odds here – they’re out at 7/1.
Dortmund won the reverse fixture 5-0. Fancy another convincing win for BVB? They’re 31/20 to win to nil or 21/20 to win both halves.
Erling Haaland could return for the visitors – he’s 12/5 to score first or 2/3 anytime. Jadon Sancho is also odds-on to net at 5/6 anytime, with Thorgan Hazard an 11/8 shot.
Dusseldorf will be looking to Rouwen Hennings to make any chances count. He’s 2/1 to get on the scoresheet.
Bayern Munich v Borussia Monchengladbach (Saturday 17:30)
Facing Bayern should be a daunting task, especially given their recent form. But with Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller both suspended, and Serge Gnabry a doubt, Gladbach will see a chance to complete the double over the champions in league action this term.
Bayern are still 2/5 to get the points, with Gladbach at 13/2 and the draw going for 4/1.
If Gnabry is fit enough to feature for the league leaders, he’s 3/4 to score anytime, with talented youngster Joshua Zirkzee also odds-on at 10/11 to net.
Marco Rose will have to name a side without the suspended Alassane Plea, though Marcus Thuram will be there to lead the line. He’s 7/1 to score first, or 21/10 anytime.
Schalke 04 v Bayer Leverkusen (Sunday, 17:00)
Schalke have been very poor since the restart, only picking up one point from five games. Leverkusen will look to take advantage and pick up three vital points.
They’re 8/15 to do just that. Home advantage doesn’t count for much here, according to our odds – Schalke are back at 24/5.
After sitting out against Bayern last week, Leverkusen’s main man Kai Havertz could return to the side. He’s 10/3 to score first or 23/20 to score anytime. Kevin Volland is also closing in on a comeback – we go 13/10 that he nets.
For Schalke, Ahmed Kutucu and Benito Rahman are 10/3 and 16/5 as anytime scorers respectively.
Both sides have scored in five of the last six meetings between these two – BTTS is priced at 3/4.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
