Meanwhile, league leaders Borussia Dortmund host Hoffenheim, while champions Bayern Munich welcome Schalke
The race to the Bundesliga title is heating up after both of the favourite candidates dropped points in the previous round. This coming Friday night (8 February) Bayer Leverkusen will hope to move closer to the top four with victory away at Mainz, while the following day both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich play at home, against Hoffenheim and Schalke 04 respectively.
First things first
Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the Bundesliga campaign already over halfway through, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available.
Where should I be investing my money?
First up, the clash between Mainz and Bayer Leverkusen on Friday night. Mainz currently sit in 11th spot in the table but could go level with Bayer if they claim all three points here – they are unbeaten in their last three home games but have a negative goal difference of -6.
Bayer, meanwhile, have won their last two games on the bounce, including a hugely impressive 3-1 win over defending champions Bayern Munich, and after a slow start to the campaign have their eyes set on a place in the top four – they are priced at 7.00 to achieve that goal come May.
Regarding this match, it is Leverkusen who come in as the clear favourites to take the points. You can back the visitor to make it three league wins on the bounce at just 1.83 while Mainz, despite home advantage, are out at 3.80 to do the same – a draw is priced highest of all at 3.90, according to Oddsshark.
And we are expecting the away side to continue their recent winning streak. A narrow, 2-1 win for Bayer comes in at 8.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$42.50 pay out, while you can more than triple your money by backing a combo bet of a Leverkusen win, coupled with both teams to score, at 3.25.
Dortmund to get back to winning ways on home soil
The following day, league leaders Borussia Dortmund will look to get back to winning ways when they host Hoffenheim. Dortmund sit seven points clear at the top of the table and are the favourites to win the league title at a price of just 1.80.
Hoffenheim, by way of comparison, sit eighth in the table but could move up to fifth with a win on the road, depending on how other results go. Having qualified for the UEFA Champions League last season, they are out at 13.00 to do so this time around after an inconsistent first half of the campaign.
And it is Dortmund who come into this clash as the overwhelming favourites to take the points. You can back the table toppers to win at just 1.61, while Hoffenheim are out at 4.75 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 4.20.
We are expecting a comfortable afternoon for4 the home side. A 3-1 win for Dortmund is priced competitively at 11.00, thereby offering more than a ten-fold return on any investment, while you can more than double your money by backing a combo bet of a Dortmund win, coupled with both teams to score, at 2.60.
Bayern in desperate need of win
And finally, Bayern Munich host Schalke on the same day desperately needing three points to reignite their title defence. A defeat last time out has seen the champions slip down to third and they are at 2.00 to retain their domestic crown.
Schalke, meanwhile, are having a hugely disappointing campaign. They are without a win in their last two league outings and are languishing in the bottom half of the table.
It is therefore of little surprise to see that Bayern are the red hot favourites to win this match. You can back the champions to take all three points at just 1.18, while Schalke are all the way out at 13.00 to record what would be a shock victory – a draw is priced in the middle at 7.00.
We are fully expecting Bayern to coast to victory. A comfortable, 2-0 win for the home side is priced at 7.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$37.50 pay out, while you could more than triple your money by backing under 2.5 goals in the game at 3.20.
Bundesliga round 21 fixtures:
Friday, 8 February
(3.80) Mainz x Bayer Leverkusen (1.83); draw (3.90)
Saturday, 9 February
(1.61) Borussia Dortmund x Hoffenheim (4.75); draw (4.20)
(1.70) Borussia Monchengladbach x Hertha Berlin (4.75); draw (3.75)
(2.10) Hannover 96 x Nurnberg (3.25); draw (3.50)
(1.70) RB Leipzig x Eintracht Frankfurt (4.75); draw (3.80)
(2.80) Freiburg x Wolfsburg (2.40); draw (3.40)
(1.18) Bayern Munich x Schalke 04 (13.00); draw (7.00)
Sunday, 10 February
(1.83) Werder Bremen x Augsburg (4.00); draw (3.75)
(2.00) Fortuna Dusseldorf x Stuttgart (3.50); draw (3.60)
