German Football / Kevin Hatchard / 06 November 2009 / Leave a comment

A well-organised, disciplined and resilient Schalke travel to the Allianz Arena this weekend, but you wouldn't expect any less of a Felix Magath side. Opposing Bayern is the way forward but what are the other best bets this weekend in the eyes of Kevin Hatchard?

"Van Gaal’s mood won’t be improved by the visit of former Bayern boss Felix Magath, who brings in-form Schalke to the Allianz Arena. A five-match unbeaten run has lifted the Royal Blues to fourth in the table, two places and two points above Bayern."

Bayern Munich [1.81] vs Schalke [5.2], the draw [3.8]

It's been a case of one step forward and two steps back for Bayern Munich under Louis van Gaal. The problem for the veteran Dutch coach is that Bayern aren't a club that accepts backward steps. As Jurgen Klinsmann well knows, failure is usually followed by a terse "auf wiedersehen" and a trip to the dole queue.

Last week Bayern finally looked as if they were on the up. How quickly things change. The Bavarians' expensively assembled attack misfired in a goalless draw at struggling Stuttgart, and their Champions League hopes hang by a gossamer thread after a dire 2-0 home defeat to Bordeaux.

Continuing a fine tradition of cantankerous former Bayern players with plenty to say, Oliver Kahn has slammed Van Gaal, accusing him of tinkering too much with his team. He has a point. Van Gaal hasn't named an unchanged line-up in the Bundesliga this season, and is yet to decide who should consistently spearhead the attack. As a result, no Bayern player has scored more than three league goals, and a return of 17 goals from 11 matches makes Bayern only the eighth-best attack in the league. The absence of injured talisman Franck Ribery hardly helps.

Van Gaal's mood won't be improved by the visit of former Bayern boss Felix Magath, who brings in-form Schalke to the Allianz Arena. A five-match unbeaten run has lifted the Royal Blues to fourth in the table, two places and two points above Bayern. They are becoming the league's escapology experts, securing dramatic draws with title rivals Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen. In both matches they were two goals down, but equalized in the last five minutes. Kevin Kuranyi typified the team's drive and determination in those games, scoring three goals.

RECOMMENDATION: Schalke are full of confidence and Kuranyi is on excellent form, so lay Bayern at 1.82

Werder Bremen [1.7] vs Borussia Dortmund [5.7], the draw [4.0]

Second-placed Werder made a dreadful start to the season, losing their Bundesliga opener 3-2 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt. Since then they have mounted a strong title challenge, going ten league matches unbeaten.

Despite that form, I think they could run into difficulty against a resurgent Dortmund. Werder performed poorly in a 2-2 draw at Nurnberg last week. They went 2-0 down before Aaron Hunt's late brace rescued them, and Nurnberg should have sealed victory long before then.

To make matters worse, key midfielder Torsten Frings has torn muscle fibres, and faces several weeks out of action. The German international is a vital cog in the Werder machine, keeping the back door bolted while the forwards weave their magic. Tim Borowski can ably deputise, but Frings's absence will be keenly felt.

Since a 5-1 drubbing by Bayern Munich, Borussia have steadily improved, saving coach Jurgen Klopp's job in the process. They've won three of their last four matches, and the only game they didn't win in that spell was an excellent 1-1 draw at leaders Leverkusen. Striker Lucas Barrios is in electrifying form, having scored in each of his last four league matches.

RECOMMENDATION: It remains to be seen how Werder will cope without Frings, whilst Borussia have made themselves tough to beat, so lay Werder at 1.73

TSG Hoffenheim [2.3] vs Wolfsburg [3.3], the draw [3.65]

Big-spending Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp has demanded qualification for Europe, and TSG have made a solid start. They lie fifth, and are unbeaten at home. The summer additions of keeper Timo Hildebrand and defender Josip Simunic have strengthened the rearguard, and TSG have let in just two goals at the Rhein-Neckar Arena.

Wolfsburg boosted their confidence with a 3-0 Champions League win at Besiktas in midweek, but the fragility of their defence was there for all to see in last weekend's 3-3 draw with Mainz. On the plus side for last year's title winners their attack is back on track, with six goals in a week.

RECOMMENDATION: Hoffenheim are strong at home, and can contain Wolfsburg's revitalized attack. On the other hand, VfL are unbeaten in six league matches, despite their leaky defence. I fancy a draw at [3.65]

Tags: Arjen Robben, Bundesliga betting, Bundesliga odds, football tips, German football