SC Freiburg vs Weder Bremen
Time: 9:30 AM EST
Odds: SC Freiburg +110, Draw +270 , Weder Bremen +220
Last Game: 2-2 draw on November 2nd 2019
This is one of two games in the early slot featuring a european hopeful facing off against a team fighting off relegation. Freiburg comes into this game on the heels of a 1-1 draw away at RB Leipzig last week, a game they nearly won having a 94’ minute goal ruled off by VAR. Freiburg currently sit 2 points back of the last european spot and need a result here to keep pace. Weder Bremen’s return to Bundesliga football was not nearly as fruitful, getting drubbed 4-1 at home by Bayer Leverkusen last week. Bremen sits 1 point above last place, with no wins and only 1 point in their last 6 matches, and will need a win here if they want to keep the hope of avoiding relegation alive. Veteran attacking midfielder Davy Klaassen returns from suspension and will be available again this week, providing Bremen with a much needed boost.
Freiburg are a distinctly mid table club, while Weder Bremen have allowed the most goals in the Bundesliga, but have also performed better on the road than they have at home. Expect a closer match than the team’s positions would imply, with a fair amount of scoring.
Wolfsburg vs Borussia Dortmund
Time: 9:30 AM EST
Odds: Wolfsburg +330, Draw +290, Dortmund -130
Last Game: 3-0 Dortmund on November 2nd 2019
One of the better games of the weekend sees offensive juggernaut Dortmund visit Wolfsburg and their stingy defense. Wolfsburg continued their winning ways in the return to Bundesliga action with a 2-1 win away at Augsburg and are now undefeated in their last 6 matches. Wolfsburg receive a boost with massive stiker Wout Weghorst, one of the best in the Bundesliga, slated to return from suspension. Wolfsburg currently occupy the last european spot, being 2 points up on SC Freiburg and will fight hard to hang on to that lead. Dortmund also got off to a flying start last week handing rival Schalke a 4-0 beating in the Revierderby, and have now won 5 in a row. Emre Can and american youngster Giovanni Reyna are set to return from injury, while Axel Witsel and Marco Reus are not expected to be available. Dortmund sit 4 points back of league leaders Bayern Munich, who they face on Tuesday, and will need to avoid looking ahead and ensure they capture the full 3 points here to keep their title hopes alive.
This game is a classic matchup of strengths, with Wolfsburg’s top 3 defense facing Dortmund’s high flying offense. Historically Wolfsburg has not fared well against Dortmund, failing to get a win in their last 9 meetings. Dortmund is close to full strength offensively and their firepower will be a tough match, even for a strong defensive team like Wolfsburg. This game may come down to who scores first. If Wolfsburg draws first blood expect them to pack it in and try to weather the storm, if Dortmund strikes first expect more wide open game as Wolfsburg looks for an equalizer.
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen
Time: 9:30 AM EST
Odds: Borussia M’Gladbach +140, Draw +280, Leverkusen +170
Last Game: 2-1 Borussia Monchengladbach on November 2nd 2019
Another heavyweight bout in the early games sees 5th place Bayer Leverkusen visit 3rd place Borussia Monchengladbach. While both teams are effectively eliminated from the title race at this point, this match has huge implications in both team’s bid to finish in the top 4. Monchenglabach came out of the gate flying last week, running up a 2-0 lead on Frankfurt in the first 7’ before coasting to a 3-1 win away. A win here will put Monchengladbach in the driver’s seat for the 3rd Champions League slot. Bayer Leverkusen also come into this game on the heels of an emphatic away win, shredding basement dwellers Weder Bremen 4-1 last week. Wunderkid Kai Havertz showed no signs of rust from the layoff, scoring the first two Leverkusen goals and asserting himself throughout the game. Leverkusen will be without captain Lars Bender again this week. Leverkusen sit in 5th, 1 point out of a Champions League spot and 2 points behind Mochengladbach, and need a result here to avoid being on the outside of the top four looking in the rest of the way.
These two teams are so evenly matched it’s almost comical. The two teams rank 4th and 5th in goals scored, tied for 3rd fewest goals against, and have evenly split the last 6 games against one another with each team winning 3 a piece. Expect an exciting back and forth game, but good luck picking a winner.
Paderborn vs Hoffenheim
Time: 9:30 AM EST
Odds: Paderborn +210, Draw +280, Hoffenheim +105
Last Game: 3-0 Hoffenheim on November 1st 2019
Both teams come into this game looking to end a poor run of form with neither team winning a game in their last 6 matches. Paderborn was able to grind out a draw last weekend against fellow basement dwellers Fortuna Dusseldorf, in a fairly dull affair that saw both teams manage only a single shot on target. This game is almost certainly a must win for Paderborn if they are to have any hope of escaping relegation. Hoffenheim also enter the game looking to get back on track following a 3-0 drubbing at home to Hertha Berlin last week. Hoffenheim also needs a positive result here if they hope to stay in the race for a european spot.
Hoffenheim is clearly the better side here but Paderborn have a shown a knack for punching above their weight and have kept matches against the top teams in the league closer than they should be. Expect a hard fought tightly contested match.
Bayern Munich vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Time: 12:30 PM EST
Odds: Bayern Munich -750 , Draw +700, Frankfurt +1400
Last Game: 5-1 Eintracht Frankfurt on November 2nd 2019
The afternoon game sees league leaders Bayern Munich host struggling Eintracht Frankfurt. Bayern come into this game as heavy favorites to win their 8th consecutive Bundesliga title. Last week they walked to a 2-0 victory away at Union Berlin in a game where they dominated possession and maintained control from whistle to whistle. Bayern have now won 5 in a row and are undefeated in their last 12 matches in all competitions. Massive defender Niklas Sule and brazillian winger Coutinho have both been ruled out for this game. Eintracht Frankfurt have not enjoyed their recent games as much, falling 3-1 at home to Borussia Monchengladbach last week and losing their last 4 Bundesliga games. Frankfurt sit in 13th 5 points above the relegation playoff, and given their remaining schedule they should be safe regardless of the result they get in Bavaria.
Revenge will be on Bayern’s mind for this one as they seek payback for the embarrassing 5-1 defeat earlier this year that resulted in their manager Niko Kovac being relieved of his duties. Frankfurt comes to Munich with the worst away record in the Bundesliga and has little hope of a positive result. Despite the Der Klassiker coming up in only 3 days, teams as experienced as Bayern rarely get caught looking ahead and Bayern’s stars are also well accustomed to quick turnarounds given their numerous european appearances. Bayern are formidable at home and have won 10 of the last 11 games at home against Frankfurt in all competitions. This is unlikely to be an enjoyable game for Frankfurt players and fans