Bundesliga Betting: Schalke can win this weekend but can they go all the way?

German Football / Kevin Hatchard / 11 March 2010 / Leave a Comment

Kevin Kuranyis' Schalke are available at 9.0 to win the Bundesliga and could follow in Wolfsburg's steps

"If you are going to back Schalke to win the Bundesliga, back them now. If they come through the next few games unscathed, those odds could shorten considerably. When you consider that Magath won the league with Wolfsburg last season, [9.0] looks a touch overpriced."

Wolfsburg won the Bundesliga last season when everyone wrote them off but can Schalke emulate them this year, asks Kevin Hatchard. Plus the best of this weekend's betting.

Schalke [2.12] vs Stuttgart [3.95], the draw [3.5]

With Bayer Leverkusen starting to crumble under the pressure of the title race, Schalke are emerging as the main challengers to leaders Bayern Munich. While Bayer were losing 3-2 at lowly Nurnberg last week and Bayern were being held to a 1-1 draw at FC Cologne, Schalke were busy romping to a 4-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Felix Magath's side were at their clinical best at the Commerzbank Arena. They scored twice from set-pieces in the first 15 minutes to effectively win the game, and dead-eye finishes from Ivan Rakitic and Kevin Kuranyi put the icing on an efficiency-flavoured cake.

Schalke are second in the table, two points behind Bayern. So can they win the title? The next four games should tell us all we need to know about the Ruhr club's championship credentials. On Friday they host in-form Stuttgart, they then visit high-flying Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen, and on April 3 they face a potential title decider at home to Bayern. If you are going to back Schalke to win the Bundesliga, back them now at [9.0]. If they come through the next few games unscathed, those odds could shorten considerably. When you consider that Magath won the league with Wolfsburg last season, [9.0] looks a touch overpriced.

Schalke's recent home form has been terrific, and they've won their last seven league games at the Veltins Arena. During that run they've conceded just one goal. However, I expect them to be pushed pretty hard by a Stuttgart side in great form. The Swabians have lost just once in 11 league games, and they were close to picking up an impressive win at Werder Bremen last week. Christian Gross's men were 2-0 up with 15 minutes left, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

It's also worth bearing in mind that Stuttgart play their biggest game of the season next week, as they visit Barcelona in the Champions League. They'll surely be distracted by such a mouthwatering encounter, and Schalke could take advantage.

RECOMMENDATION: This will be close, but Schalke have momentum and I expect them to edge out a Stuttgart side with Catalonia on their minds. Back Schalke to win at [2.12], and with Stuttgart likely to score, back over 2.5 goals at [2.18]

Hertha Berlin [2.14] vs Nurnberg [3.95], the draw [3.45]

Nurnberg were the talk of the Bundesliga last weekend, as they handed Bayer Leverkusen their first league defeat of the campaign. Despite the absence of suspended top-scorer Albert Bunjaku, Dieter Hecking's men raced into a 3-0 lead, and held on to win 3-2. Two weeks earlier Nurnberg held Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw, and after a three-match unbeaten run they lie a point and a place above the bottom three.

Hertha Berlin's survival push has stalled, and the bottom side are six points adrift of safety. They've lost their last two games without scoring a goal, and under-fire manager Friedhelm Funkel has been given the dreaded vote of confidence. Hertha have improved in recent weeks, but they've still won just once at home all season.

RECOMMENDATION: Nurnberg are full of confidence after beating Bayer Leverkusen, and the return of 11-goal hitman Bunjaku is a boost. Back them to win at a generous [3.95]

Bayer Leverkusen [2.16] vs Hamburg [3.7], the draw [3.6]

Tempers are starting to fray at the BayArena, with coach Jupp Heynckes tearing into his team after the 3-2 loss to Nurnberg. He accused his young side of lacking passion and commitment, and says they cannot be successful with that kind of performance. The criticism was certainly justified, and Bayer's record of four away wins in 13 matches is unacceptable for a team with title ambitions.

The last thing Bayer want is to run into a Hamburg team who are fourth after a run of one defeat in six league matches. That was an unfortunate 1-0 reverse at leaders Bayern. Hamburg missed several good chances at the Allianz Arena, and were defeated by a moment of magic from Franck Ribery.

RECOMMENDATION: Bayer are reeling after their first defeat of the season, and Hamburg are a tough outfit to beat. Back the draw at [3.6]