Bundesliga Betting: Bayern to sign off the year in style

Stuttgart v Bayern Munich
Saturday December 16, 14:30
Live on Betfair Live Video

Promoted sides often get early momentum in their first season back in the big time. They are used to winning, and that feelgood factor from clinching promotion takes a while to fade. However, that crash often comes, and it's how a team deals with that psychological burden that can define their season.

Stuttgart have lost three league games in a row for the first time since coach Hannes Wolftook charge, and they find themselves just a point above the bottom three. In their last home game they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, their first defeat on home soil in 2017.

Injuries in attack are taking their toll. Daniel Ginczek and Anastasios Donis have both picked up knocks, and top scorer Chadrac Akolo is struggling with a rib injury. Last season's top scorer Simon Terodde doesn't seem quite up to it at this level, and it's no surprise that VfB have only scored 13 goals in their first 16 games.

Stuttgart are solid at the back and hard-working in midfield, but that won't be enough to discomfit a Bayern side that is flying towards yet another Bundesliga title. They have already been crowned as winter champions, they have won their last four games in all competitions, and in the Bundesliga they have won three of their last four road matches.

I can't see a limited Stuttgart attack laying a glove on Bayern, so the champions should wrap up 2017 with a comfortable victory.

Recommended Bet
Back Bayern Munich -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at 1.97

Borussia Monchengladbach v Hamburg
Friday December 15, 19:30
Live on BT Sport 1 and Betfair Live Video

Borussia Monchengladbach can be a maddeningly inconsistent side, and in an incredibly tight race for the Champions League spots this season, their challenge in 2018 will be to start stringing results together. A team that beats Bayern Munich shouldn't be losing at Freiburg and getting smacked all over the place by Wolfsburg.

It's that inconsistency which has contributed to the Foals' price of 1.90 for the home win on Friday night against Hamburg, and that's a price I have to snap up. As up and down as Gladbach can be, Hamburg have slid into the bottom three, and are dreadful on their travels. HSV have lost five of their last six matches on the road in the Bundesliga, and have collected just one point away from home since a 3-1 win at FC Koln in August.

It says a lot that Hamburg are pinning their hopes on 17-year-old striker Fiete Arp, and the club has some serious decisions to make during the winter break. Coach Markus Gisdol is under massive pressure, and with major investor Klaus-Michael Kuhne now willing to spend in January if the right players come along, HSV have some critical challenges ahead.

For now though, they must muddle along, and I think they'll fall short against a Gladbach team that is more talented and more of a cohesive unit.

Recommended Bet
Back Borussia Monchengladbach to win at 1.90

Augsburg v Freiburg
Saturday December 16, 14:30
Live on Betfair Live Video

Augsburg's progress has been a big surprise this season, and huge credit has to go to coach Manuel Baum. He only joined the FCA youth department as part of a sabbatical from teaching, and yet here he now is as a Bundesliga coach with a growing reputation. His players swear by his methods, and it appears the man-management he learned in the classroom is being used effectively in the dressing room.

The Swabians have had a tough week, conceding a last-gasp equaliser at home to Hertha Berlin and then losing a topsy-turvy game 3-2 at Schalke, but they are generally playing very well. Brazilian forward Caiuby has scored in his last two games (his goal against Hertha was stunning), and the strike pairing of Michael Gregoritsch and Alfred Finnbogason have netted eight league goals apiece.

Freiburg have taken ten points from their last four games, but I think that surge will end here. Their away form is awful, and it's worth remembering they went 3-0 down at rock-bottom Cologne before taking advantage of a team without any confidence to mount an incredible comeback.

I'm tempted to back the hosts at 1.82, but instead I'll go for goals. Freiburg have leaked 22 goals in just seven away games, the worst defensive record on the road in the division. Eight of Augsburg's last ten league games has featured at least three goals, so that's the bet I'm heading for.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 2.5 Goals at 1.89