BUNDESLIGA fanatic Jonny O'Sullivan (@libero_the) has taken a deep dive into Matchday 21 from Germany, picking out his best bets.
Normality in Germany has resumed! Bayern Munich are in top spot once more and are looking more impressive with each passing week. The Bavarians have never scored more goals at this point in a season are are also beginning to look like their old selves when out of possession.
Leipzig have stuttered in recent weeks while Monchengladbach are looking like the team that brought so much joy before the winter break, despite the best efforts of the German FA, who made an example of Alassane Plea as they look to eradicate dissent from the Bundesliga.
Erling Haaland showed signs of his slump as he scored two goals in 77 minutes, which is disappointing if you consider his recent form. Dortmund scored another five last weekend and are currently looking just as good as Bayern right now.
This weekend is looking especially entertaining. Leverkusen, who are extremely hit and miss, host a formidable Dortmund side who will be hungry to continue their prolific form. However, arguably the most important game in the title race is Bayern hosting Leipzig.
It could be argued that if Leipzig wants to be considered as a true contender, they need to travel to Munich and cause an upset. If they manage this, it would take a fool to not consider them to be the team that can genuinely be the team that breaks the Bavarians current dominance in German football.
Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Dortmund | Saturday 8th February 2020, 17:30 | BT Sport
Dortmund are on fire right now. They have won all their matches since the second half of the season resumed and have done so in superlative fashion. The introduction of Haaland has boosted an attack which already consists of Thorgan Hazard, Marco Reus, Julian Brandt and Jadon Sancho (who has seen his recent achievements slightly overshadowed).
Dortmund have scored the second most amount of goals in the league thus far with 56 goals in 20 Bundesliga games only two short of Bayern’s superb tally. Not all of these goals have been in front of the Yellow Wall either as they average two goals per-game, scoring 20 in 10 road trips.
Over the past eight matches, BVB have managed an astonishing 30 goals, which is five more than the next best team during this period. To even strengthen this case of Dortmund being in crazy goalscoring form, they have notched five times in each of their last three matches.
In Dortmund's last four fixtures against Leverkusen, the visitors have managed to score three or more goals. In their last duel, Thomas Tuchel’s troops blitzed Bayer, 4-0, in one of the most one-sided games you are likely to see, so I’m happy to take BVB to rack up Over 2.5 Goals here at 2/1 (Bet365).
Another tempting angle is based on the goalscorer markets. Jadon Sancho is slightly flying under the radar right now due to the emergence of Haaland. In Sancho’s last 11 matches for club and country, the England ace has grabbed 11 goals. For a winger, these statistics are incredible.
What makes this number even more impressive is how willing Sancho is to put the ball on a plate for one of his teammates. Nine assists in those 11 matches prove this.
Sometimes, like what we see with the greats of the game such as Lionel Messi, players who consistently achieve incredible figures can sometimes become norm. Of course, Sancho is not at the level of Messi, but at 19 years of age, his achievements should not be forgotten about just because there is a new kid on the block.
Bayern Munich v RB Leipzig | Sunday 9th February 2020, 17:00 | BT Sport
In a true top of the table clash, Bayern host Leipzig in a match which in many ways will define how the rest of the season will be judged. If Leipzig can travel to Munich and get all three points, they will believe that the title could be theirs in May.
Bayern are in terrific form right now and will fancy their chances to score against their visitors. They have been in excellent goalscoring mood and are currently the Bundesliga’s top scorers. FC Hollywood have notched an impressive 58 goals in 20 Bundesliga games and have also been the league's highest home goalscorers, scoring 33 times in 10 home outings.
Leipzig have a similar record in front of goal and have proved to be one of the Bundesliga’s most impressive sides this season, scoring 53 in 20 games – only Bayern and Dortmund have outscored them. RB also boast the best away goals tally, scoring 25 goals in 10 matches.
Leipzig have managed a serious record of scoring at least two goals in seven of their last 10 Bundesliga away games. They have been tipped several times this season to score two or more goals in a game and this is because they have done so in 10 of their last 11 Bundesliga fixtures.
This game absolutely reeks of goals. Let's hope the match cooks up a dish as tasty as it smells with Over 3.5 Goals available at 8/11 (Bet365).
Best Bets
Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Dortmund – Dortmund to score Over 2.5 Goals (2/1 Bet365)
Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Dortmund – Jadon Sancho to score at anytime (6/4 Betfair)
Bayern Munich v RB Leipzig – Over 3.5 Goals (8/11 Bet365)
