Bundesliga Betting: Visit of Leverkusen to spell yet more trouble for Bayern

German Football / Kevin Hatchard / 20 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

Philipp Lahm received the largest fine in the club's history after heavily criticising the club and the manager in an interview with a newspaper.

"Such open dissent spells real trouble for van Gaal. He has a history of failing to control players with big egos, and only seems to get the best out of teams when he has a captive audience."

Kevin Hatchard tells us how Louis Van Gaal seems to have lost the Bayern Munich dressing room just months into his reign and where our money should be on this weekend's Bundesliga matches.

Bayern Munich [1.92] vs Bayer Leverkusen [4.5], the draw [3.75]

If the pressure wasn't on Bayern boss Louis van Gaal before, it certainly is now after general manager Uli Hoeness described Sunday's clash with leaders Bayer Leverkusen as "the game of the season."

Bayern are eighth after winning just five of their 12 Bundesliga matches, and they have failed to convince in recent draws against Stuttgart and Schalke. Van Gaal says he needs more time to get the team playing the way he wants, but he appears to be losing control of his star-studded squad.

Before the international break van Gaal's problems were showcased by an extraordinary outburst from vice-captain Philipp Lahm. Incensed by the club's stuttering start to the campaign, Lahm gave an incendiary newspaper interview. He accused Bayern of lacking a playing philosophy, and criticized van Gaal for abandoning the formation used in pre-season to accommodate the arrival of Arjen Robben. Bayern's retribution was swift, as Lahm was given the biggest fine in the club's history.

Lahm isn't the only Bayern player currently sitting in a pram devoid of toys. Luca Toni threw the latest in a series of tantrums during the draw with Schalke, driving home at half-time after he had been replaced by Robben.

Such open dissent spells real trouble for van Gaal. He has a history of failing to control players with big egos, and only seems to get the best out of teams when he has a captive audience.

The contrast with table-topping Bayer Leverkusen is stark. Jupp Heynckes has built a solid unit that holds the last remaining unbeaten record in Germany. Their miserly defence is the best in the Bundesliga, with just eight goals conceded. At the other end Bayer's Stefan Kiessling is the league's deadliest marksman, topping the charts with eight goals.

Bayer have also shown they can collect points from tough away trips. They won 3-2 at champions Wolfsburg, and claimed creditable draws at title rivals Hamburg and Schalke. Heynckes says Bayer can win at the Allianz Arena, and he has little reason to think otherwise.

RECOMMENDATION: I advised laying Bayern last time out against Schalke, and I'm even less convinced about the Bavarians now. Lay Bayern at [1.94]

Borussia Dortmund [1.71] vs Mainz [5.4], the draw [4.0]

This is one of the weekend's most fascinating clashes. Borussia Dortmund have made progress under Jurgen Klopp, and a five-match unbeaten run in the league has seen them rise to ninth.

BVB have made themselves tough to beat, and their fighting spirit was evident in recent draws at title contenders Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen. The form of Argentine Lucas Barrios has underpinned the unbeaten run, the striker scoring in each of his last five league matches.

This weekend Klopp comes up against Mainz, a club where he spent 18 years as a player and coach. Under new boss Thomas Tuchel, Die Nullfunfer have taken the league by storm. They were tipped for relegation just a season after going up, but they currently lie sixth with 21 points. Most of those points have been collected at home, but the recent 3-3 draw at champions Wolfsburg was encouraging. Mainz twice came from behind to snatch a point, a result which will boost their confidence on the road.

RECOMMENDATION: Borussia are improving but have still won just four matches, while Mainz are finding their feet away from home, so lay Borussia at [1.73]

Eintracht Frankfurt [2.26] vs Borussia Monchengladbach [3.55], the draw [3.5]

11th versus 14th may not seem particularly inspiring, but I think there is value to be had here. Borussia are just two places above the dropzone, but they've found some form of late. Goalless draws at home to Cologne and Stuttgart showed defensive improvement, and a 3-2 win at previously unbeaten Hamburg stunned the Bundesliga.

Eintracht have won their last two home matches, but injuries are taking their toll and they were hopeless last time out at Bayer Leverkusen. Michael Skibbe's side were thrashed 4-0, conceding three goals in the first 11 minutes.

RECOMMENDATION: Monchengladbach are on the up, and if they can win in Hamburg they can certainly win in Frankfurt. Back Monchengladbach to win at [3.55]