Bundesliga Betting: Lewy can help Heynckes make a happy return

Bayern Munich v Freiburg
Saturday October 14, 14:30

It's the unexpected that often gives football its magic, and the implosion of Carlo Ancelotti's reign at Bayern Munich certainly happened more quickly than many predicted. Bayern's reservations about their coach's lack of intensity were well known, but the end came with brutal speed, and the knives have been plunged deep and often into the Italian's back.

Carletto's temporary replacement Willy Sagnol proved to be very temporary indeed, drawing his only game 2-2 at Hertha Berlin, before remarkably declaring that the Bavarian giants could no longer call themselves the strongest team in Germany. He didn't find many supporters for that statement.

Club president Uli Hoeness had doubts about the suitability of former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, but his preferred candidate Julian Nagelsmann is committed to Hoffenheim for the rest of this campaign. Enter stage left Jupp Heynckes, the 72-year-old who led Bayern to the treble in 2013 before he was elbowed aside to make room for Pep Guardiola.

Heynckes knows the players well, they in turn respect his work, and the hope is that the veteran can fill the fissures that have developed within the squad. A home game against Freiburg could be the perfect way to start. Although the Black Forest outfit managed an excellent win against Hoffenheim last time out, their away form in the last few months has been atrocious. They have lost five of their last six Bundesliga away games, and have conceded 19 goals in those matches.

The markets heavily favour Bayern here, despite their three-match winless run in all competitions, so there aren't many attractive angles here. However, I like the look of backing Robert Lewandowski to score two goals or more at [2.25] on the Sportsbook. He scored four goals in Poland's final two World Cup qualifiers, including a hat-trick against Armenia. He has already scored multiple goals in four games this term for club and country, and with Freiburg leaking plenty of goals on the road, he could repeat the trick on Saturday.

Recommended Bet
Back Robert Lewandowski to score two goals or more at [2.25] (Sportsbook)

Hertha Berlin v Schalke
Saturday October 14, 14:30

Schalke's bright new dawn under 32-year-old coach Domenico Tedesco has faded in recent weeks, with just one point collected from the last three games. There's no doubt that Tedesco is a clever guy with good ideas, but he is trying to implement a very careful style in which the collective system holds sway over flashes of unpredictability. That's all very well, but his players are understandably taking a while to adapt, and the football being played is hardly thrilling.

Schalke have lost two of their three away games, they have fitness doubts over central midfielders Weston McKennie and Nabil Bentaleb (Max Meyer may have to play in a deeper role than usual), and they visit a Hertha side with an excellent home record. The capital club came back from 2-0 down to hold Bayern 2-2 on Matchday Seven, and they have taken eight points from their four league matches at the Olympiastadion. If you stretch back into last season, you see that Hertha have lost just four of their last 21 Bundesliga home matches.

Schalke have lost six of their last ten Bundesliga away games, and I'm not yet convinced that Tedesco's strategy will be a success at this level. I'll back the hosts with a bit of insurance.

Recommended Bet
Back Hertha Berlin Draw No Bet at 1.90

Werder Bremen v Borussia Monchengladbach
Sunday October 15, 17:00

Since former Bremen defender Frank Baumann took over as Werder's sporting director, the club haven't fallen victim to panic when things have gone badly. Coach Alexander Nouricould easily have been given the boot after losing the first four games of 2017, but Baumann kept faith, and Werder went on to win nine of the next 11 games on their way to a top-half finish.

Now Baumann's patience is being tested again. Werder have drawn four and lost three of their first seven matches, but they have competed in every game, and only one of those defeats came by a margin of more than one goal. Baumann has publicly backed Nouri, as have several players.

The return from injury of influential skipper Zlatko Junuzovic should add drive and goal threat to midfield, and defensively Werder do look more cohesive than they have in recent seasons.

Borussia Monchengladbach have looked anything but defensively sound, with 12 goals conceded already. On the road, they have conceded twice at both Augsburg and Leipzig, and they leaked six goals at Borussia Dortmund. Gladbach have won just two of their last nine away games in the league, and I'm not entirely sure that coach Dieter Hecking knows which style or starting eleven is best.

I think the hosts can break their duck here, even though their recent record against the Foals is poor. They are playing better than their results suggest.

Recommended Bet
Back Werder Bremen Draw No Bet at 2.00