The Bundesliga returns at the weekend and all eyes will be on a resurgent RB Leipzig to see if they can prove themselves as genuine title contenders. Borussia Dortmund may be tumbling down the table, but Leipzig have shown the potential to give Bayern Munich a run for their money once again this season. However, they face an extremely tricky away game against Hoffenheim, while Bayern are huge favourites to beat newly promoted Hanover. Here are some of the most intriguing fixtures to look forward to:
Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund have embarked on a truly horrendous run of form and the early season pace setters have fallen to fifth in the table, eight points behind Bayern Munich. They have not won in the league since September, they are out of the Champions League and to compound their misery they blew a four-goal lead to draw 4-4 with fierce rivals Schalke last time out. Bayer Leverkusen are in fine form, unbeaten in their last five and now just one point behind Dortmund. Bayer Leverkusen draw no bet looks a good option in this game at 1.78 green-listed bookmakers Marathon Bet and 1.75 with Bet Victor as they are still unbeaten at home this season.
Bayern Munich v Hannover
Bayern suffered their first defeat since Jupp Heycknes replaced Carlo Ancelotti when they travelled to Monchengladbach last weekend. But that should be seen as a minor blip as they have improved enormously after bringing back their former treble-winning boss. This should be a routine victory against Hannover, who are performing above expectations but still lingering in mid-table and unlikely to trouble the mighty Bayern too much. Bayern have taken 16 out of a possible 18 points at home this season and are just 1.17 to win this with William Hill and Betway. They have only conceded three goals in six home games, so you could try Bayern to win to nil at 2.05 with Labrokes, Coral and Bet Victor. There is not a great deal of value in Bayern half-time/full-time, but another option is Bayern and over 2.5 goals at 1.91 with Ladbrokes and Coral.
Hoffenheim v RB Leipzig
Both these teams finished in the top four last season, much to everyone’s surprise, but the away team have started the 2017/18 campaign in better form. They are now second in the table, just three points behind Bayern, after beating Werder Bremen 2-0 last weekend. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men also earned a morale-boosting 4-1 victory away at French champions Monaco in the Champions League, and they are playing with great confidence and attacking flair at present. Hoffenheim are down in seventh and their patchy home form has cost them. They have won just three of seven league games at the Rhein-Neckar Arena this season and RB Leipzig – who earned a 2-2 draw there last season before beating Hoffenheim 2-1 at home – will fancy their chances of getting a result from this game. The draw looks interesting at 3.75 with William Hill, as does both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 1.80 with Coral and Sky Bet. If you fancy Leipzig to nick a win they are 2.30 with William Hill, while Leipzig draw no bet is 1.70 with William Hill and Bet Victor
Schalke 04 v Koln
Koln remain bottom of the table, with just two points from 13 games, and Schalke should destroy them here after that sensational comeback against Borussia Dortmund. William Hill has 1.50 on the home win, which looks great for any accumulators. Schalke -1 Asian handicap is a tempting 1.82 with 188Bet, while Schalke win to nil is 2.40 with Bet Victor. Schalke have one of the best home records in the league, while Koln have scored just twice in six away games, so that looks a good option.
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