Bundesliga betting tips: Another Havertz masterclass in store, Lewandowksi to fill his boots, and derby joy for Hertha

Bundesliga betting tips: Another Havertz masterclass in store, Lewandowksi to fill his boots, and derby joy for Hertha

After the Bundesliga's successful return last week, it's time to cast our eyes over this week's action.

HAVE you picked your Bundesliga side yet? Or are you a Bundesliga fan in general and you're getting sick of questions like the previous one? No problem, Bundesliga aficionados and part-timers are welcome here all the same. After major European football returned in successful style last week, let's pick the bones through this week's fixtures and spot some value.

Hertha Berlin vs Union Berlin | Friday May 22, 19:30 GMT

Hertha have never lost two Berlin derbies in a row in their entire history, but lose this one against newly-promoted Union and they will have. What's more, their upstart city rivals will go above them in the table, just one point behind as they currently are.

But historical context aside, the present situation makes for more encouraging reading for new Hertha boss Bruno Labbadia. After the ignominy of the 10-game Jurgen Klinsmann era, the man started with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Hoffenheim courtesy of three second-half goals. And while there was no shame in Union's 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich last Sunday, Hertha's new manager bounce should help them avenge their November derby defeat.

Match Odds: Hertha (5/4) Draw (12/5) Union Berlin (11/5) 
Tip: Hertha Berlin to win (5/4)
Correct score: Hertha Berlin 2-1 Union Berlin (15/2)

Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen | Saturday May 23, 14:30 GMT

Rustiness? Gladbach don't know the meaning of the word. 37 seconds was all it took them to take the lead at Eintracht Frankfurt last week. Die Folen ran out comfortable 3-1 winners which allowed them to take advantage of RB Leipzig's slip and take third spot. In his first Bundesliga season, Marco Rose has his side just six points off top spot with 10 games to play.

But Leverkusen, just two points further back in fifth place, could be about to throw a spanner in the works. Peter Bosz's side have taken 22 of 27 points available since the winter restart and in Kai Havertz, whose brace laid the groundwork for a 4-1 win at Werder Bremen on Monday, Bayer have one of Europe's best creative midfielders. Havertz has eight goals in his last eight games in all competitions, plus another four assists, and he also has seven goal involvements in his last five matches against Monchengladbach.

As ever with Leverkusen, Havertz is the one to watch, particularly so after his dazzling performance earlier this week. Against one of just two sides yet to keep a Bundesliga clean sheet in 2020, he's all set to shine once again.

Match Odds: Borussia Monchengladbach (11/8) Draw (11/8) Bayer Leverkusen (9/5) 
Tip: Kai Havertz to score and get an assist (9/1)
Correct score: Borussia Monchengladbach 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen (9/1)

Wolfsburg vs Borussia Dortmund | Saturday May 23, 14:30 GMT

Wolfsburg do come into this game in good, albeit broken up by a global virus outbreak, form. Seven league matches without defeat is not to be sniffed, and last week's 90th minute at Augsburg was a perfect way to get back to work. The Wolves moved into the final Europa League spot - looking around at their competition, they have reason to be confident.

However, Dortmund have won 24 of 27 possible points since January 1, and 25 of a possible 27 in their last nine matches with Wolfsburg. The stats certainly point to a continuation of that trend following BVB's brutal 4-0 demolition of rivals Schalke last weekend. With Erling Haaland, Julian Brandt and Thorgan Hazard immediately up to speed, and Jadon Sancho to surely feature more prominently this week, Dortmund can make it six straight Bundesliga wins for only the second time under Lucien Favre. 

Match Odds: Wolfsburg (18/5) Draw (29/10) Borussia Dortmund (8/11) 
Tip: Erling Haaland to score any time (7/10)
Correct score: Wolfsburg 1-3 Borussia Dortmund (9/1)

Bayern Munich vs Eintracht Frankfurt | Saturday May 23, 17:30 GMT

Eintracht's stunning 5-1 win over Bayern in November proved to be the last straw for ex-Frankfurt coach Niko Kovac and he was fired shortly afterwards. However, times have chanegd signficantly. His replacement in the Allianz Arena dugout, Hansi Flick, first a temporary option now permanent, has seen his side put together a remarkable run. 25 points since returning from the winter break represents the third best total ever, behind only Jupp Hencykes's Bayern in 2012/13, and Pep Guardiola's side a year later (both 27).

Bayern scored 50 goals in just 16 games under Flick's first 16 games, the fewest amount of games it has taken any manager to reach that total. The driving force for that rampant scoring streak has been the continent's best number nine, Robert Lewandowski. Hellbent on chasing down Gerd Muller's 48-year Bundesliga scoring record, he's inevitably where your focus should go for this game and indeed any Bayern match for the foreseeable.

Match Odds: Bayern Munich (1/7) Draw (15/2) Eintracht Frankfurt (17/1)
Tip: Robert Lewandowski to score two or more goals (29/20)
Correct score: Bayern Munich 4-0 Eintracht Frankfurt (17/2)

Schalke vs Augsburg | Sunday May 24, 12:30 GMT

Taking into account pre-Coronavirus form, Schalke have put an absolutely horrendous run together. In their last eight matches, they've won none, scored just two, lost six, and been beaten 3-0, 4-0, and 5-0 twice! David Wagner did well to avoid the sack before the break but any contiuance of the sort of under-performance that saw them swept aside at Dortmund will focus the board's minds on whether he's the right man for the job.

A modicum of comfort may be found in Sunday's opponents. In Schalke and Augsburg's previous 17 Bundesliga meetings, the Miners have lost just once. Augsburg have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 10 matches and have lost their last four in a row. Then again, a defeat for Schalke would make it four in a row for them too. Neither side is firing on any cylinder right now, let alone all of them. A draw seems likely.

Match Odds: Schalke (EVS) Draw (5/2) Augsburg (14/5)
Tip: Under 2.5 total goals (10/11)
Correct score: Schalke 1-1 Augsburg (11/2)

Mainz vs RB Leipzig | Sunday May 24, 14:30 GMT

The last times Mainz faced RB Leipzig, it was a historic occasion for both clubs. Leipzig's 8-0 Bundesliga win in November is their biggest win ever, and also Mainz's biggest defeat. The hosts will be eager to set the record straight, but against a Leipzig side eager to make up for last week's slip-up, that's easier said than done.

With the rest of the top six winning last week, Leipzig's dropped points at home to Freiburg were ill-timed - and it could have been even worse had Yusuff Poulsen spared their blushes late on. That goal was indicative of RB's recent tendency to start slowly and finish strongly. In fact, over the last 11 games, 17 of Leipzig's 21 goals have been scored after half-time. That could be worth keeping an eye on in this match.

Match odddds: Mainz 05 (27/5) Draw (4/1) RB Leipzig (4/9) 
Tip: HT Draw/ FT RB Leipzig (15/4)
Correct score: Mainz 0-2 RB Leipzig (8/1)

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