Bundesliga Betting: Schalke to maintain rip-roaring start

Schalke v Darmstadt
Saturday August 22, 14:30

I must admit I was genuinely surprised by Schalke's performance in their 3-0 win at Werder Bremen last week. They were positive from the first whistle, and new coach Andre Breitenreiter has already consigned the cloying, safety-first football of his predecessor Roberto Di Matteo to the rubbish bin of history.

Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting ended a 15-match wait for a Bundesliga goal, Klaas-Jan Huntelaarscored his first Bundesliga goal away from home since last October, and as a team Schalke picked up their first away win in the league since December.

Everywhere you looked at the Weserstadion, there were positives for the Royal Blues. New signing Franco Di Santo showed signs he can form a good pairing with Huntelaar, Johannes Geis controlled midfield, and Roman Neustadter replaced the injured Matija Nastasic to excellent effect in central defence. The long-term absence of Nastasic, who limped off in the first few minutes in Bremen, is however a bitter blow for player and club.

Newly promoted Darmstadt played well in their first Bundesliga match for 33 years, butdefensive naivety was their undoing in a 2-2 draw with Hannover. Having twice taken the lead through Marcel Heller (who doubled his all-time Bundesliga goal tally in just one game), The Lilies switched off at the back. They gave Charlison Benschop too much space for the first equaliser, and made a mess of defending a free-kick for the second.

Even in the second division Darmstadt relied on their home form, and they only picked up four road wins in the entirety of last season. This will see them make a huge step up, and with Schalke brimming with confidence, this may prove to be a long afternoon. The hosts have concerns over Huntelaar's foot injury, but even if he misses out, Leroy Sane is waiting in the wings. The 19-year-old made a big impact as a substitute last weekend, setting up the third goal.

Schalke have hit the ground running, and I'm expecting a comfortable victory in Breitenreiter's first game in charge.

Recommended Bet
Back Schalke -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at 2.26

Hoffenheim v Bayern Munich
Saturday August 22, 14:30

Bayern Munich started their title defence with a 5-0 thumping of Hamburg, and they looked hungry to prove wrong the doubters that say they aren't genuine Champions League contenders. New signings Douglas Costa and Arturo Vidal have settled in well, and the excellent Thomas Muller - who scored a brace against HSV - seems set for another productive season.

Under Pep Guardiola, Bayern tend to start their campaigns exceptionally well. Opta tell us that of the 35 games Bayern have played under Guardiola in the Hinrunde (first half of the season), the champions have won 30 and drawn five. Indeed, they have gone 43 matches unbeaten if you only count games played before the winter break.

Hoffenheim have lost star player Roberto Firmino to Liverpool, and although they have made some astute signings, it's taking a while for things to click. Hoffe lost to second-division 1860 Munich in the German Cup, and although they took a shock lead at Bayer Leverkusen last week, they ultimately lost 2-1. Bayern beat them home and away last term, and the men from Sinsheim are yet to overcome Bayern in 14 attempts in the Bundesliga.

Bayern should win this with something to spare against a Hoffenheim side that has stumbled out of the starting blocks. With Bayern pretty short in the Match Odds and Asian Handicapmarkets (-1.5 is 1.53 at time of writing), backing the champions to lead at half-time and full-time is an attractive option. Bayern led at HT in both of their wins against Hoffe last season, which was also the case in ten of their last 12 Bundesliga victories.

Recommended Bet
Back Bayern/Bayern in the HT/FT market at 1.91