BUNDESLIGA fanatic Jonny O'Sullivan (@libero_the) has taken a deep dive into Matchday 15 from Germany, picking out his best bets.
The Bundesliga may finally have a new champion this season. Borussia Monchengladbach beat Bayern Munich 2-1 at home last weekend to send the champions down to a miserable seventh-place, seven points adrift of the table-topping Foals.
Hansi Flick’s honeymoon period appears to be over as Bayern have suffered defeat in their last two games. However, the Bavarians had enough chances to win about eight football matches in both those matches.
Dortmund and Leipzig have regained their predicted pre-season positions, occupying second and third. Comprehensive wins and superb individual performances meant that both sides can continue to dream of the Bundesliga title in May.
Despite defeat against Leverkusen, Schalke remained in the last Champions League spot; whilst Freiburg showed that they are here to stay at the top of the table with a solid 1-0 win at home to once high-flying Wolfsburg.
Bayern Munich v Werder Bremen | Saturday 14th December 2019, 14:30
Bayern Munich are struggling to keep the goals out at the minute. Despite Flick’s superb opening few games where FC Hollywood kept clean sheets for fun, Bayern have conceded in their last three games. Even against Spurs reserves they leaked, and at times, looked very vulnerable at the back.
Losing two Bundesliga games on the spin should provoke a response and Werder Bremen stand in their way this weekend. Chances missed have cost Bayern vital ground in the title race and the hosts will be desperate to bounce back to winning ways.
Robert Lewandowski has not scored in two league games – surprising considering the form the Polish hitman has been in this season. Twenty-seven goals in 22 games is a half-decent return for any striker in the world, so it would be expected that he will find his shooting boots sooner than later.
Bremen have failed to win in nine out of their last 10 and the Allianz Arena is a difficult place to turn that form around. Werder have also conceded in their last 10. On the flip side, however, the visitors have managed to score in eight out of those games, notching twice. against Leverkusen, Dortmund, Frankfurt and Freiburg, whilst still finding the net against the likes of Gladbach and Schalke, despite failing to land top honours.
This shows that Bremen can find the net, but they are prone to conceding, something they share with their hosts. Taking away the four games following Flick's arrival, Bayern have conceded in their last 11 matches. Thirty-five goals scored and 20 conceded in 14 matches is a massive goal total. This shows exactly where Bayern's strengths and weaknesses are.
If Bayern can react positively there is no doubt that they should beat Bremen. However, their defence is vulnerable and a shot flying past the hot and cold Manuel Neuer is likely.
Back Bayern Munich to win and Both Teams To Score (6/5 BetVictor).
Hertha Berlin v Freiburg | Saturday 14th December 2019, 14:30
Freiburg (5/1 SkyBet) are a massive outsider but I cannot see why? Freiburg are a better team than Hertha Berlin, sitting pretty in fifth, overperforming but also keen to build on their success in their last match against Wolfsburg.
Hertha find themselves winless in their last seven Bundesliga fixtures with five losses and two draws. The capital club have also lost their last three in Berlin, whilst Freiburg have only lost two away games so far. Both sides seasons are truly chalk and cheese, and if form and momentum continue, then it would be no shock for the shock to occur.
A surprising statistic is that Hertha have struggled to beat Freiburg in recent times. The team from the capital have won just one of their last 11 games against the Black Forest boys.
The visitors have also been superb in a few daunting games season. A 2-1 win against Leipzig and a 3-0 triumph at Hoffenheim prove that, suggesting Freiburg have what it takes to rise to the occasion. Both games would have seen the surprise package share similar odds, so there is no denying that they have the ability the upset.
Best Bets
Bayern Munich v Werder Bremen – Bayern Munich to win and Both Teams To Score (6/5 BetVictor)
Hertha Berlin v Freiburg – Freiburg to win (5/1 SkyBet)
