Bulls to bounce back
Bayer Leverkusen v RB Leipzig
Saturday 05 October, 14:30
Live on Betfair Live Video
Genius coach Julian Nagelsmann faces his first big test as RB Leipzig boss. Last weekend Die Roten Bullen made a great start to their game against Schalke, but were denied by the crossbar on one occasion, and then a fantastic double save from Royal Blues keeper Alexander Nubel on another. Schalke took the lead just shy of the half-hour mark, and never looked back in a 3-1 win.
Things then got worse for Leipzig when they lost 2-0 at home to Lyon in the Champions League. Bad defensive errors were compounded by some wayward finishing from Timo Werner, although Nagelsmann was keen not to criticise his star striker.
A trip to the BayArena might be the perfect tonic for a team that is still very much part of the title race. Leipzig have won all three of their Bundesliga away matches this season, and if you stretch back further, they have taken maximum points from ten of their last 12 road games. In the first week of April they won 4-2 at Leverkusen.
Bayer’s Champions League hopes are fading fast after a 3-0 hammering at Juventus in midweek, and they have now lost three of their last five matches in all competitions. For the first time in a long time, wunderkind Kai Havertz is looking a little tired, and that’s understandable for a 20-year-old that’s being expected to perform at a high level every week.
Peter Bosz’s team has lost to Borussia Dortmund already this season, and they were beaten home and away by RBL last term. Their high defensive line could be perfect for Werner and his pace, and I can’t fathom why Leipzig are [2.9] to win. I’ll back them Draw No Bet.
Mainz to edge basement battle
Paderborn v Mainz
Saturday 05 October, 14:30
Live on Betfair Live Video
We’ve only had six games this season, but this already has the feel of a vital game in the relegation battle. Paderborn are rock-bottom, with just one point collected from six games, while Mainz are only a couple of points better off.
Mainz see themselves as something of a finishing school, picking up unheralded players with potential and selling them on. The problem with that is that young and inexperienced talents can be inconsistent. Coach Sandro Schwarz is Mainz through and through having supported them as a boy, played for them, coached their youth team and now having taken charge of their senior side. He is being asked to be an educator, as well as a coach that can compete at this level.
Schwarz will watch on from the sidelines this weekend, as he is suspended following a red card in last weekend’s defeat to Wolfsburg, but I suspect he’ll finally see a change in fortunes. Paderborn gave Bayern Munich a slight scare last weekend as they only lost 3-2 to the record champions, but they have lost all three home games, and have conceded at least three goals in each one. I think Mainz’s performances have been better than their results suggest (they conceded a last-gasp winner in their last away game at Schalke) and I’ll back them with a bit of insurance here by using the Draw No Bet market.
Wolves to strike against Union
Wolfsburg v Union Berlin
Sunday 06 October, 14:30
Live on Betfair Live Video
The silk of new coach Oliver Glasner’s attacking approach, coupled with the steely streak left by his predecessor Bruno Labbadia, has made for a potent combination at the Volkswagen Arena. Wolfsburg are still unbeaten in all competitions (they drew 1-1 at St Etienne in midweek) and Die Wolfe have picked up 12 points from six league matches. Wolfsburg have now gone ten games without defeat on home soil, and they have won six of those encounters.
Union Berlin secured a superb win over Borussia Dortmund on Matchday Three, but they have lost the other five league games, and they are starting to look seriously limited. Sebastian Andersson isn’t getting enough support in attack, and the defence hasn’t been able to deal with quality opponents. Four goals were leaked against RB Leipzig, while Eintracht Frankfurt, Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen have all put a couple of goals apiece past them. Keeper Rafal Gikiewicz was one of the heroes of the promotion campaign, but he has looked seriously shaky at a higher level.
Wolfsburg have drawn their last couple of games, but I think they’ll win with room to spare here. Back them -1.0 on the Sportsbook’s Handicap at 13/8.
Source: BetFair Tips
