The German Bundesliga returns from the winter break with another round of great fixtures. Let’s analyze the most interesting matches and find the best value bets on BMR\’s green-listed bookmakers.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich
The 2nd half of the season kicks off in style with the league leaders Bayern Munich traveling to face 4th-place Leverkusen on Friday. The home side are on a great unbeaten streak in all competitions – 18 games. The reigning champs are 11 points clear at the top of the table, and they will look to extend this lead and start the new year with a positive result. Bayern Munich finished the year in style winning all their 4 top-flight league matches, keeping 3 clean sheets in a row. They are unbeaten in their last 5 mutual encounters against Leverkusen, winning 3 matches in the process.
The Bavarians have been revitalized since sacking Carlo Ancelotti and replacing him with their former coach Jupp Heynckes and are likely to win another title. Bayern’s star goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is still missing due to injury and Joshua Kimmich might not be fit for Friday night. Leverkusen have a fully-fit squad and will enter this match trying to earn at least one point. We expect a goal-fest in the 1st round of the year with both teams contributing on the scoreboard. Best pick for the match: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 1.75 with Coral.
RB Leipzig vs. Schalke
Two of the Bundesliga’s most exciting squads will face each other Saturday. Schalke are enjoying an amazing campaign sitting 2nd in the standings with 30 points earned in 17 rounds, and they will surely enter this match full of confidence trying to win the three points and secure their spot. Despite having a poor month before the winter break with just 2 points earned in 4 matches, Leipzig continue to impress showing that last season was not a mistake. They are just 2 points behinds their opponents but need to regain their top form and consistency to keep their Champions League qualifying spot hopes alive.
Schalke have completed the signing of winger Marko Pjaca from Juventus on loan until the end of the season, and he made an instant impact for his new team, scoring on his debut in a friendly against Belgian side Genk last Sunday. We should be in for a high-scoring match between 2 attacking minded teams so our top tip comes from the goals market. Best pick for the match: Over 2.5 goals in the match at 1.85 with Pinnacle.
FC Koln vs. Monchengladbach
FC Koln are by far the worst Bundesliga team this term sitting last in the standings with just 6 points earned in the 1st half of the season. They will be looking to pick up their second win of the season when hosting 6th-place Gladbach. Koln have the worst defense in the top-flight league with 32 goals conceded this season and are unlikely to avoid relegation.
Monchengladbach will try to close the gap on the top spots being just 2 points behind 2nd-place Schalke. Despite sitting 6th in the standings, the visitor struggle to keep away goals conceding 28 so far, the 3rd amount of goals in the top-flight league. Gladbach are big favourites to win clash and backing them to beat Koln looks the right way choice. Best pick for the match: Gladbach to win at 2.23 with Unibet.
Extra tip: Dortmund vs. Wolfsburg – Dortmund to win HT/FT at 2.1 with Betfair.
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