BUNDESLIGA fanatic Jonny O'Sullivan (@libero_the) oversees the best bets from Saturday's 2.30pm kick-offs.
The new temporary era of football began last weekend and it was brilliant, a little odd, but superb to be able to watch a ball hit the back of the net. It is not looking likely fans will be able to enter a stadium for the foreseeable future so we will have to start getting used to the new normal.
It was business as usual for the form teams in the league; Bayern Munich looked a little rusty but did not really leave first gear against a Union Berlin side who struggled to provide many questions for the Bavarians to answer.
Everyone's new second team, Borussia Dortmund, thanked an empty Yellow Wall at the end of the Revierderby, which continued Dortmund's irresistible goalscoring form and heaped misery on a miserable Schalke.
Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach continued to make life a little difficult for the front two with confident wins which showcased their attacking flair to many fans unfamiliar with the Bundesliga.
RB Leipzig, however, look to be falling away with their title hopes. Now the focus should be on keeping Leverkusen at bay to secure a Champions League spot. Kai Havertz and company look relentless in their fight for European football and may even have the most optimistic eye possible on an unlikely title win.
At the bottom of the table, Fortuna Dusseldorf and Paderborn's six-pointer resulted in a goalless stalemate, while Werder Bremen looked like a side who are resigned to dropping out of the Bundesliga this season.
Mainz continued their spirited revival and got an almost impossible looking 2-2 draw against FC Koln and look to be set on staying in the Bundesliga this season. Making it a battle for a second chance in the relegation playoff at the bottom of the ladder.
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen | Saturday 23rd May 2020, 14:30 | BT Sport
The eye-catching tie of the weekend is undoubtedly Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen. Two sides who play some of the best football in the country go head-to-head in a mouthwatering tie to solidify their Champions League dreams while keeping the pressure on Dortmund and Bayern.
Both sides resumed their Bundesliga games with wins which arguably flattered their opponents. With Gladbach brushing Eintracht Frankfurt aside with a commanding 3-1 win and Leverkusen putting on a Monday night 4-1 show against Werder Bremen, both sides enter one of their biggest games of the season firing.
The duo feature in games which reek of goals. Seven out of eight of Gladbach's last matches have seen three or more goals hit the back of the net. Similarly, 12 out of Leverkusen's last 14 have also seen three or more goals. However, despite being unbeaten in their last 11 and having a late resurgence in the league, Leverkusen still concede. Out of the 14 games mentioned, Bayer have seen both sides in 11.
Peter Boscz's side are thrilling to watch but occasionally forget that defending is also a massive part of the game, often leaving space in behind with a lame offside trap. This would not be a wise approach to take at the weekend. Marcus Thuram, Alessane Plea and the rest have bags of pace and love nothing more than a swift break away to hurt their opposition.
In Leverkusen's last five away games, both teams have scored with Over 2.5 Goals also banking. Gladbach have also let their opposition get on the scoresheet in their last nine. If you consider that Saturday's hosts are in good form and looking likely to pressure the top two right to the end, this is quite a surprising statistic.
Gladbach won the last encounter 2-1 in what was a gripping affair. It would not be a surprise if there was a similar scoreline on Saturday. It would be a travesty and quite a surprise if both sides ignored what they thrive on and played conservative football on Saturday. Hopefully, goals will be an inevitability and the entertainment will bring us all joy.
Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score is 4/5 (SkyBet).
Freiburg v Werder Bremen | Saturday 23rd May 2020, 14:30 | BT Sport
Freiburg and Werder Bremen faced two similar prospects last weekend with very different outcomes. Freiburg was extremely impressive against Leipzig and were a yard away from grabbing a late 2-1 win as they had a winning goal chalked off. Werder Bremen, however, looked like a side who were already relegated and simply making up the numbers against Bayer Leverkusen.
Bremen have lost a staggering 12 out of their last 13 matches. Bremen managing a point at the minute seems like a pipe dream as they lack any fight or power to avoid defeat. The additional break did not lift their spirits as the final score could have been anything Leverkusen wanted it to be. If Kevin Volland was available for selection, a more natural striker, the final score could have been silly.
Freiburg will be energised by their performance away to Leipzig and will see a victory as more than a possibility at the weekend. They looked a threat on the break and defended resolutely. A 4-0 win is not likely as the hosts average slightly over a goal per game, but the idea that Freiburg will justify their 6/5 (BetVictor) position is based more on how bad Bremen have been.
Bremen have conceded two or more in 10 out of their 13 away games this season and with Freiburg chasing the title of the ‘best of the rest' and Europa League, it really is a must-win for the hosts. Their 3-1 win against Union Berlin in their last home match was an indicator of the type of result which could be seen on Saturday.
Overall, Bremen look like a side who is destined for relegation. The 2003/2004 title winners look to be heading to the second tier of German football for the first time in 1980. What is sad about their inevitable relegation is that there does not seem to be any fight to avoid what looks to be.
Best Bets
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen – Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score (4/5 SkyBet)
Freiburg v Werder Bremen – Freiburg to win (6/5 BetVictor)
