Bundesliga Preview: Can Bayern do it without Lewandowski?
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Many might see this as a four-week title procession for Bayern Munich, but they did lose to their next opponents – Borussia Monchengladbach – earlier this season.
We delve into the reasons it could happen again plus we look at the rest of the Bundesliga weekend including Schalke versus Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern Munich v Borussia Monchengladbach – (Sat, 17:30)
On paper, this could well be Bayern Munich’s toughest remaining fixture, and the scars of their 2-1 loss to M’Gladbach will still be raw – They’re 2/5 to get revenge but will be without suspended pair Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller.
Hansi Flick could hand Ivan Perisic the false nine role or give youngster Joshua Zirkzee a run out up top. This could play into Gladbach’s hands who are at 6/1 for victory.
Gaffer Marco Rose may set-up on the counter-attack with Marcus Thuram (21/10 to score anytime) and Breel Embolo either side of captain Lars Stindl (9/1 to open the scoring).
A draw that would strengthen Bayern’s position as top dogs is at 4/1 – but Gladbach know more dropped points could spell the end of their Champions League charge.
Bayern’s Serge Gnabry was injured for the DFL-Pokal semi-final with Frankfurt but if fit, he’s 3/4 to score anytime.
Schalke v Bayer Leverkusen (Sun, 17:00)
Schalke stopped the rot last time out with a 1-1 draw against Union Berlin. Can David Wagner’s side go one better and get three points this weekend? It’ll be tough and our traders reflect that at 24/5.
The home had to rely on full back Jonjoe Kenny to bag their goal last weekend, and we go Under 2.5 Goals at 8/13.
They take on a swash-buckling Leverkusen side who can be mesmerising one moment and look like complete strangers the next. But it is Die Werkself who are the 8/15 pre-match favourites.
Kai Havertz could return from injury and is 23/20 to score anytime. Kevin Volland made his comeback from injury against Bayern and is 13/10 to notch.
Schalke’s Ahmed Kutucu is 10/3 and team-mate Michael Gregoritsch is 10/1 to bag first.
Best of the rest
Julian Nagelsmann goes back to Hoffenheim tonight with his RB Leipzig side. The home side are 6/1 for victory, while Timo Werner is 14/5 to score first in a Die Roten Bullen win.
Borussia Dortmund are a short 29/20 To Win to Nil against relegation threatened Fortuna Dusseldorf (15/2 for victory).
Hertha Berlin are one of the surprise packages of the restart – losing only once in five games. The Berlin side are 21/20 to get the better of a tricky Eintracht Frankfurt.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.
