Bundesliga: Three things to look out for on the final day
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The Premier League comes to a close this weekend with all the main talking points just about resolved. So it’s only right we take a look across Europe to get our fix of final day drama and big upsets.
Bayern Munich wrapped up the Bundesliga title with little trouble again this campaign but there’s a huge tussle brewing below them.
EUROPE STILL UP FOR GRABS
Let’s begin with what we know so far. Domenico Tedesco has guided a Schalke 04 side who finished tenth last season to the runner up spot and a return to Champions League football after four years.
However there’s a tight pack separated by just eight points between Dortmund in third and Monchengladbach in ninth.
Dortmund are 29/10 to secure the point they need for Champions League football against fellow European hopefuls Hoffenheim on Saturday. However, Julian Nagelsmann’s side who are slight favourites at 19/10 sit just a place behind them in fourth. They will have to win with both Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig chasing them down.
If Hoffenheim were to slip up then Leverkusen will be confident of capitalising as they host a Hannover 96 side with nothing to play for. Leon Bailey and Bayer to win 2-0 is 28/1 in our market with the outright odds in Leverkusen’s favour at 1/5.
The last side in this Champions League royal rumble is RB Leipzig. After finishing second last season, securing yet another spot in Europe’s elite competition would be a sign they’re here to stay. They may need a few goals though and will hope the in-form Ademola Lookman and star man Timo Werner are firing. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men to win and over 4.5 goals are at 19/4.
The fight for Europa League places is also still to be decided. Our pre-season pick of ‘surprise package’ were the newly promoted VfB Stuttgart. They have won their last three in a row to put them in with a real chance – even if their final game is against Bayern.
FORMER CHAMPIONS HEADING FOR EXIT
From the top of the table to the fight to stay in the league, both Wolfsburg and Hamburg will be very familiar with this position. The clubs locked horns last year in end of season duel with Hamburg scoring an 88th minute winner to secure their top flight status.
It didn’t seem all that long ago that Edin Dzeko and Grafite were embarrassing Bayern on the way to the 2009 Bundesliga title. Even more recent was the team graced with the talents of Kevin de Bruyne. However, they now face the real possibility of dropping out of the league.
The Wolves take on already relegated FC Koln knowing a win will stave off immediate relegation and could even bring 15th placed Freiburg back into the mire. Hamburg has a home tie to Borussia Monchengladbach that can’t end in anything less than victory.
YOUNG GUNS IN FORM
This campaign has seen the emergence of several young British based players plying their trade in the Bundesliga. Last summer saw Kaylen Hinds join Wolfsburg, Reece Oxford find a home in ‘Gladbach and even the rise of full back Mandela Egbo who finally made his debut for Die Fohlen.
However, it’s two men you will know even better who have taken German football in their stride. Both Jadon Sancho for Dortmund and Ademola Lookman at Leipzig are in fine form right now.
Lookman netted twice in the home win over Wolfsburg to keep their Champions League dream alive. Sancho became the youngest English goal-scorer with his strike over Leverkusen recently and will be looking to add to his tally in this one.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
