The long wait for soccer in Europe finally comes to an end this weekend, as the Bundesliga becomes the first major league to restart following the coronavirus pandemic. It will be a welcome sight for fans around Europe, with many broadcasters showing all available games throughout the weekend. Fans that aren’t necessarily the biggest fans of the Bundesliga will be tuning in to catch the live action, but what should gamblers be keeping a close eye on this weekend?
The Bundesliga is one of the most competitive leagues in Europe, with all of the crucial elements yet to be decided this season. The title race looks set to go down to the wire as Bayern Munich will be looking for a fourth straight title. Their closest challengers are Borussia Dortmund, but at present there is a four-point gap. Leipzig are a further point back.
But they may be more interested in securing their place in the Champions League spots with Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen breathing down their neck. Here are some of the biggest fixtures from this weekend, and predictions on which way they could go.
Bundesliga- Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke
| Borussia Dortmund | Draw | Schalke |
|---|---|---|
| -185 | +330 | +420 |
The biggest game on the opening day of action will see Dortmund welcome their local rivals Schalke to Signal Iduna Park. Dortmund are going to be one of the teams that most neutrals will be watching this weekend, with an awful lot of attention on Jadon Sancho and Erling-Braut Haaland. The two teenagers will be crucial to their chances.
Sancho is their top scorer this season, and the Englishman’s form will be important should Dortmund build their title challenge. Dortmund have lost just one game in their previous six, which means it is hard to see past a comfortable win for them.
RB Leipzig vs SC Freiburg
| RB Leipzig | Draw | SC Freiburg |
|---|---|---|
| -303 | +400 | +750 |
RB Leipzig’s final position in the Bundesliga is still up in the air with nine games remaining. They have excelled in Europe this season, as they brushed past Tottenham Hotspur to make it to the quarterfinal stage. However, their league form since the winter break has been inconsistent, and that has seen them drop from first to third. They are just one point ahead of Monchengladbach, and a defeat this weekend could see fifth-placed Leverkusen draw level on points with them.
It is vital that they get off to the best possible start. With Timo Werner they have one of the best young strikers in Europe, and his form will be important. They have lost just once at home this season, which means a home win for Leipzig is the most likely result for gamblers.
Union Berlin vs Bayern Munich
| Union Berlin | Draw | Bayern Munich |
|---|---|---|
| +1000 | +540 | -476 |
Union Berlin are the biggest price of all the teams in the Bundesliga to get a win this weekend. They have enjoyed an excellent debut season in the top-flight, but this will probably be a step too far for them. Bayern’s eyes will firmly be on the league title now, and their run of no defeat in eleven league games could be the decisive factor. It is incredibly hard to see past Bayern winning this fixture, and they will likely win with a big margin.
