Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund
Saturday April 08, 17:30
Live on BT Sport
Although it's not one of German football's traditional rivalries, the annual battles between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund now have a certain sparkle. The behemoths will soon face off in the German Cup semi-finals, and they could still meet in this season's Champions League, just as they did in a dramatic final at Wembley in 2013. The clubs have won the last seven Bundesliga titles between them, and there hasn't been a German Cup final without at least one of these teams since 2011.
Neutral Bundesliga followers would have loved the teams to be closer in the table ahead of this clash, but there is a 15-point chasm between them. Bayern haven't always taken the breath away in Carlo Ancelotti's first season at the helm, but they have done enough to build a sizeable lead at the top of the table, and it's a question of if rather than when they claim their fifth consecutive meisterschale. Robert Lewandowski has led the charge with a staggering 36 goals in all competitions, Mats Hummels has been superb at the heart of defence since leaving Borussia Dortmund, while Thiago has emerged as one of the most consistently influential midfielders in European football.
Dortmund lost three key players in the summer (Hummels, Henrikh Mkihtaryan and Ilkay Gundogan), and understandably they have fallen a bit short when it comes to consistency. They have one of the most exciting sets of young players in the world, but inexperience has cost BVB a few times this term, especially away from home. In the Bundesliga, Thomas Tuchel's men have been impeccable at Signal Iduna Park, but they have lost five times on their travels. However, it could still be a glorious campaign, with the German Cup and Champions League still in Die Schwarzgelben's sights.
Just as Lewandowski has been a talisman in attack for Bayern, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has been Dortmund's focal point up front. The Gabon international is the league's top scorer with 25 goals, one ahead of his Polish rival. He scored the winner in the reverse fixture, a 1-0 victory in Dortmund. Up until Tuesday night, that had been Bayern's only league defeat of the campaign, but they also lost 1-0 at Hoffenheim in midweek.
If anything, that loss in Sinsheim may well galvanise Bayern, and they'll be keen to send out a message ahead of next week's mouthwatering Champions League clash with Real Madrid. They won this fixture 5-1 last season, and if you include German Cup finals they have come out on top in five of the clubs' last eight meetings.
Dortmund have been hampered by injury problems all season, and this weekend is no different. Julian Weigl, Marc Bartra, Shinji Kagawa and Lukasz Piszczek are all doubtful, while Tuchel insists Marco Reus will miss the game.
Bayern have fewer injuries than Dortmund, and at home they have looked very strong recently. On the road, BVB are a shadow of the side they are on home soil. I'm going for the hosts to win with a bit to spare.
Recommended Bet
Back Bayern Munchen -1.0 on the Asian Handicap at 2.16
Saturday April 08, 17:30
Live on BT Sport
Although it's not one of German football's traditional rivalries, the annual battles between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund now have a certain sparkle. The behemoths will soon face off in the German Cup semi-finals, and they could still meet in this season's Champions League, just as they did in a dramatic final at Wembley in 2013. The clubs have won the last seven Bundesliga titles between them, and there hasn't been a German Cup final without at least one of these teams since 2011.
Neutral Bundesliga followers would have loved the teams to be closer in the table ahead of this clash, but there is a 15-point chasm between them. Bayern haven't always taken the breath away in Carlo Ancelotti's first season at the helm, but they have done enough to build a sizeable lead at the top of the table, and it's a question of if rather than when they claim their fifth consecutive meisterschale. Robert Lewandowski has led the charge with a staggering 36 goals in all competitions, Mats Hummels has been superb at the heart of defence since leaving Borussia Dortmund, while Thiago has emerged as one of the most consistently influential midfielders in European football.
Dortmund lost three key players in the summer (Hummels, Henrikh Mkihtaryan and Ilkay Gundogan), and understandably they have fallen a bit short when it comes to consistency. They have one of the most exciting sets of young players in the world, but inexperience has cost BVB a few times this term, especially away from home. In the Bundesliga, Thomas Tuchel's men have been impeccable at Signal Iduna Park, but they have lost five times on their travels. However, it could still be a glorious campaign, with the German Cup and Champions League still in Die Schwarzgelben's sights.
Just as Lewandowski has been a talisman in attack for Bayern, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has been Dortmund's focal point up front. The Gabon international is the league's top scorer with 25 goals, one ahead of his Polish rival. He scored the winner in the reverse fixture, a 1-0 victory in Dortmund. Up until Tuesday night, that had been Bayern's only league defeat of the campaign, but they also lost 1-0 at Hoffenheim in midweek.
If anything, that loss in Sinsheim may well galvanise Bayern, and they'll be keen to send out a message ahead of next week's mouthwatering Champions League clash with Real Madrid. They won this fixture 5-1 last season, and if you include German Cup finals they have come out on top in five of the clubs' last eight meetings.
Dortmund have been hampered by injury problems all season, and this weekend is no different. Julian Weigl, Marc Bartra, Shinji Kagawa and Lukasz Piszczek are all doubtful, while Tuchel insists Marco Reus will miss the game.
Bayern have fewer injuries than Dortmund, and at home they have looked very strong recently. On the road, BVB are a shadow of the side they are on home soil. I'm going for the hosts to win with a bit to spare.
Recommended Bet
Back Bayern Munchen -1.0 on the Asian Handicap at 2.16
Eintracht Frankfurt v Werder Bremen
Friday April 07, 19:30
Live on BT Sport
While Eintracht Frankfurt have horribly lost momentum in 2017, Werder Bremen are one of European football's most in-form sides, and yet the market has the hosts trading at a shade about evens.
Frankfurt are on their worst run of form since coach Niko Kovac took charge, having collected two points from the last eight matches. They have scored just one goal in that time, and they'll head into Friday night's game having drawn a blank in their last four matches. Their European dream is fading fast.
Werder Bremen have shown that they were right to stick by coach Alexander Nouri, even though they started the year with four straight defeats. Since then, they have won six and drawn one of their seven matches, a run that has eased their relegation fears. On Tuesday, they wiped the floor with a decent Schalke side, winning 3-0.
The odds here don't reflect current form, so I'm opposing the hosts.
Recommended Bet
Back Draw or Away in the Double Chance market at 1.83
Hertha Berlin v Augsburg
Sunday April 09, 14:30
Live on BT Sport
Hertha Berlin's Champions League hopes suffered another blow in midweek, as they narrowly lost at Borussia Monchengladbach. Their loss of momentum has come at just the wrong time, just as it did last season.
However, Pal Dardai's men have a great chance to turn things around somewhat this Sunday, as they host an Augsburg side that is spiralling towards disaster. FCA have managed one win in the last eight, and are in the relegation playoff spot, just four points above the bottom two. Inexperienced coach Manuel Baum doesn't seem to have any answers, and it's hard to see the Swabians turning things around against a team that has racked up ten home wins in the league this season.
Recommended Bet
Back Hertha Berlin to win at 1.82
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