Bundesliga Matchday 20 Predictions and Best Bets (Archive)
Bundesliga enters matchday 20 this weekend, bringing with it a slew of marquee matchups to spot. In this weekly column, we highlight some of the best matchups in Germany’s top-flight league, complete with choice best bets to consider for soccer picks. So, let’s get started straight away and dive into the weekend’s slate.
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs .1. FC Union Berlin
Saturday, January 22, 2022 – 9:30 AM EST at Borussia-Park
Borussia Mönchengladbach is coming off a 2-1 loss to Bayer 04 Leverkusen on the road, a disappointing defeat after pulling off the 2-1 upset over Bayern Munich at home a week earlier. It marked their third loss in their last five domestic fixtures (1-1-3), and it sees them slip to 12th in the table with a 6-4-9 record and 22 points.
Borussia Mönchengladbach were down 2-0 in the second half after Robert Andrich (51’) and Patrik Schick (74’) scored for Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Nico Elvedi (81’) scored for Die Fohlen, but it was all just a little bit too late to make a fist of it or salvage any points.
1. FC Union Berlin’s good form extended at the weekend with a 2-1 win over Hoffenheim. It marked their second win and fourth game undefeated as they improved to a 2-2-1 record in their last five Bundesliga fixtures. Overall,1. FC Union Berlin is ranked fifth overall with an 8-7-4 record and 31 points.
1. FC Union Berlin got off to an unlucky start when Timo Baumgartl scored an own-goal to give the visitors the 1-0 lead in the 16th minute. However, Andreas Voglsammer scored in the 22nd minute to level the score and get 1. FC Union Berlin back into the game. In the second half, Grischa Prömel’s strike in the 73rd minute lifted Union Berlin to the win and the crucial three points.
1. FC Union Berlin beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 on matchday 3. Whether the team from the nation’s capital can replicate that result remains to be seen. Berlin manager Urs Fischer faces selection issues with both Rick van Drongelen and Pawel Wszolek out (covid-19) and Laurenz Dehl (knee) being unavailable.
That said, his opposite is dealing with selections issues too. Christoph Kramer is doubtful, Ramy Bensebaini is competing for Tunisia at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations while Jonas Hofmann is a question mark.
With form, injuries, covid-19, and the Africa Cup of Nations all conspiring against both sides in various forms, it’s quite possible this game might end in a draw contrary to the Bundesliga odds.
Soccer Pick: Draw +260 with Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
TSG Hoffenheim vs. Borussia Dortmund
Saturday, January 22, 2022 - 9:30 AM EST at PreZero Arena
TSG Hoffenheim lost to 1. FC Union Berlin 2-1, a result that they’ll be keen to atone for in the next lap around Bundesliga action. TSG Hoffenheim is currently ranked fourth overall in the table with a 9-4-6 record and 31 points. The defeat snapped a seven-game undefeated streak that includes five wins and two draws going back to mid-November.
Borussia Dortmund kicked off matchday 19 on Friday with a 5-1 beatdown over SC Freiburg at home. It marked their third straight home win and saw the Black and Yellow improve to a 4-1-1 record in their last six games.
Overall, Borussia Dortmund is second in the Bundesliga table with a 13-1-5 record and 40 points. Only six points separate Dortmund and the current league-leading Bayern Munich. Most recently, Dortmund is coming off a disappointing 2-1 loss to St Pauli in DFB-Pokal.
Borussia Dortmund’s home form has been their strength this season, but TSG Hoffenheim is one of the few that took all three points in a 3-2 win at Signal Iduna Park. The Black and Yellow have a score to settle here, which puts tips the balance towards the visitors to settle the score this weekend.
For all intents and purposes, this is a bit of a toss-up for soccer picks. Both sides will be motivated to win this game. TSG Hoffenheim will be keen to get back on track while Dortmund will be looking to maintain the pressure on Bayern Munich in the title race. Dortmund is the preferred bet to win, but, admittedly, this could very well go against the grain and settle on a draw.
Soccer Pick: Borussia Dortmund +115 with Bovada
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.