German Football / Razhan Miran / 15 May 2009 / Leave a comment

Razhan Miran points us in the direction of the best bets on offer in Germany this weekend as Bayern Munich travel to early pace-setters Hoffenheim where goals are expected to be on the cards. Best bet: Over 2.5 Goals at [1.58] in Hoffenheim v Bayern Munich.

As we enter the penultimate weekend of the season, the league table still gives little insight as to where the title will go. The relegation battle at the foot of the table has not been so random in comparison, with the same group of teams dominating the last five places almost from start to finish.

Bar a miracle, Karlsruhe are set to go down, with the other two slots still undecided, although Monchengladbach seem to be just about safe, with a point likely to guarantee at least another season in the top flight. This of course leaves Bochum, Bielefeld and Cottbus to scrap it out for survival.

However, with Cottbus and Bielefeld away at Stuttgart and Dortmund respectively, it could be advantage Bochum this weekend as they host Frankfurt.

Bochum Vs Frankfurt

As is customary in Germany, the last two rounds of fixtures are all played at the same time, so Bochum's one point advantage will be of little comfort knowing that either of the other relegation candidates could pull off a dramatic win. Of course at least one team always does, in any league, which means Bochum will have their sights set on all three points.

With only three wins since Christmas, Frankfurt very nearly plunged themselves into the thick of things at the bottom, but as it stands their six point buffer should comfortably see them over the finishing line. They have little to play for, and after falling apart against Bremen midweek, could struggle here once more.

Recommended:

Bochum to win at [1.9]
Under 3.5 Goals at [1.55]

Of course at the top of the table, things are not so straightforward, with an infinite number of situations still possible. Mathematically, any of the top five can win it. Potentially, the top four can all see themselves taking it. But realistically, the winner looks as though it will come from one of the top two. That is Wolfsburg in first, and Bayern (still to top the table this year) second, both on sixty three points.

Hoffenheim Vs Bayern

The last time these two sides met, it was a top of the table clash, with Hoffenheim four points clear at the top. Five months later, and Bayern remain in second, with the Hoff down in seventh, finally showing glimpses of their early season form after a disastrous post winter campaign.

All those months ago, in the Allianz Arena, it was a last minute goal from Toni that put the breaks on the Hoff's phenomenal run of form, and as it turned out their season. The question is, can they deal a similar blow to Bayern?

Whether they can or not is a difficult one to call, and I wouldn't like to be backing either team at the odds available. The money here is in the number of goals markets, especially if it stays deadlocked at the break, as Bayern will eventually have to go all out for the win.

Recommended:

Over 2.5 Goals at [1.58]

As for the other challengers, unpredictable Hanover are home to Wolfsburg in a game I recommend staying clear of in terms of outright bets, and just betting in-play. Stuttgart on the other hand look set to hammer the final nail in Cottbus's coffin, when they meet on Saturday lunchtime. The Stuttgart -1.5 at [1.88] in the Asian Handicap looks fine value, as does Stuttgart in the Bundesliga Winner's market at [15.0]. They could very well reduce the two point gap behind the leaders this week, and with the final game away to Bayern, should things go their way, their destiny could be in their own hands next weekend at the Allianz.