FSV Mainz 05 vs Augsburg
Time: 9:30 AM EST
Odds: FSV Mainz 05 +135, Draw +240, Augsburg +200
Last Game: Augsburg 2 : 1 FSV Mainz 05
Watch: FS1
The early game features a pair of teams at the bottom of the table trying to secure another year of Bundesliga football. Hosts Mainz 05 come into this game on the heels of a surprising 2-0 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Mainz remain in 15th and are only three points above the relegation playoff spot. Stefan Bell is set to return for this one, having recovered from an ankle injury.
Visitors Augsburg enter this game after snatching a 1-1 draw with Köln in the 87’ minute last weekend. Augsburg currently sit in 14th only four points above the relegation playoff spot, but a win here would all but ensure they stay up. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw returns from suspension while Alfred Finnbogason is doubtful for this match.
Mainz 05 have had the upper hand when facing Augsburg at home, winning five of the last six matches at Opel Arena. Neither side is playing particularly well of late. Mainz have only winning one of their last six at home, scoring a mere four goals and being held scoreless in three games over that stretch. Augsburg have lost five of their last six away matches, being held scoreless in all five losses. Given these sides equally poor form a low scoring draw looks likely in this one
Schalke 04 vs Bayer Leverkusen
Time: 12:00 PM EST
Odds: Schalke 04 +500, Draw +350, Bayer Leverkusen -210
Last Game: Bayer Leverkusen 2 : 1 FC Schalke 04
Watch: FS2
The final game of the week sees Bayer Leverkusen visit a struggling Schalke side with a chance to move into a Champions League spot. Hosts Schalke 04 enter this game on the heels of a 1-1 draw away at Union Berlin. Schalke have had the worst form in the Bundesliga since the restart and now find themselves in 11th place. USMNT player Weston McKennie returns from suspension for this game while Benjamin Stambouli’s status is in doubt.
Visitors Bayer Leverkusen enter this one on the heels of a 4-2 loss at home to Bayern Munich. Despite dropping two of their last three matches Bayer remain in 5th and a win here would see them jump into 4th place and the final Champions League spot. Kai Havertz may be available for this one and bettors will want to wait until lineups are released before placing a bet as he can change the entire dynamic of a match.
Bayer could not pick a better team to face right now than Schalke 04, who have been in horrendous form, their worst run since 1993-1994, since the restart. Leverkusen meanwhile are unbeaten in their last five games away from home. Schalke have not enjoyed Leverkusen’s visits to the Veltins Arena, and have only managed to win one of the last six games at home against Leverkusen. This Schalke side has some quality, on paper at least, and a reversion to the mean has to happen at some point, but this match looks unlikely to reverse the trend of poor performances. Bayer Leverkusen will also be aware that after Monchengladbach’s loss on Saturday, their Champions League fate is in their own hands so expect Leverkusen to come out flying.