Only one team one in the first round of Bundsliga matches played without fans, leading to much speculation about whether home advantage really exists in these circumstances. The sample size of nine games is tiny, but an away side that look worth backing at the weekend are Hoffenheim, who visit bottom side Paderborn. Hoffenheim lost 3-0 to Hertha Berlin, but the result was something of a freak, with Hoffenheim taking the xG by 2.6 to 1.5. Paderborn were fortunate to escape with a 0-0 draw against fellow-strugglers Fortuna Düsseldorf last time out, and look good value to come unstuck here.
Borussia Dortmund’s rich vein of form continued as they smashed rivals Schalke 04 4-0 in the first game back after lockdown. Erling Håland showed no signs that his form will let up. Dortmund have a game against Bayern on Tuesday, so even though they have beaten the -1 handicap in eight of their last ten games and Wolfsburg have a leaky defence, they might let up towards the end if the game is won. That said, Dortmund trail Bayern by four points, and so they have all the motivation in the world to win the match. Wolfsburg edged past Augsburg with a last minute winner in their last game, but it was not a very impressive performance. Dortmund should be too good.
Freiburg are one of a number of teams that are still in the hunt for the final Europa League position, and they can do their chances some good with a win over Werder Bremen. Bremen were awful in a 4-1 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, while Freiburg secured a 1-1 draw away to RB Leipzig. Freiburg may have been a bit lucky, with Leipzig dominating the shot count, but they were also denied a late winner by a very marginal offside call. Werder have done their best work away from home this year, but their young squad has really struggled this season and they look value for another defeat.
Schalke 04 look like another home team worth opposing after their mauling at the hands of Borussia Dortmund last Saturday. This is more of an anti-Schalke bet than one in favour of Augsburg, who have lost five of their last six. Both of these teams are in relegation form, but if we accept that home advantage may be being overrated then it is very hard to see how Schalke are backable at evens. Dortmund could have scored more in the derby, while Augsburg were a bit unlucky against Wolfsburg, so this could be another bad day for a home side.
RB Leipzig will be smarting after their failure to convert a host of chances against Freiburg last time out, and with seven points now separating them from Bayern in first they will realistically have to win every game from now until the end of the season to win the title. They can start that at Mainz. We can probably write off the draw against Freiburg as a freak - Leipzig have scored 63 times in the league this season at a rate of 2.42 goals per game. Mainz have the second worst defence in the league. The reverse fixture ended 8-0, and this could well be a thrashing.
Tip: RB Leipzig -1.5 at 6/5
Where is the Money going on Saturday May 23?
Our friends at DraftKings, a major US Sportsbook, is receiving plenty of action for the Matchday 26 card and you can follow the betting trends below.
Bundesliga Betting Splits for Saturday May 23
% Handle - Total Money
% Bets - Total Bets
Odds and Trends Subject to Change (T&C's Apply, 21+, Legal US States Only)
Bundesliga Betting Trends - Per DraftKings
Paderborn vs Hoffenheim
Wager
Odds
% Handle
% Bets
Paderborn
+220
-
-
Draw
+270
-
-
Hoffenheim
+108
-
-
Bundesliga Betting Trends - Per DraftKings
Freiburg vs Werder Bremen
Wager
Odds
% Handle
% Bets
Freiburg
+114
-
-
Draw
+260
-
-
Werder Bremen
+215
-
-
Bundesliga Betting Trends - Per DraftKings
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen
Wager
Odds
% Handle
% Bets
Borussia Monchengladbach
+133
-
-
Draw
+265
-
-
Bayer Leverkusen
+175
-
-
Bundesliga Betting Trends - Per DraftKings
Wolfsburg vs. Borussia Dortmund
Wager
Odds
% Handle
% Bets
Wolfsburg
+340
-
-
Draw
+285
-
-
Borussia Dortmund
-137
-
-
Bundesliga Betting Trends - Per DraftKings
Bayern Munich vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
Wager
Odds
% Handle
% Bets
Bayern Munich
-715
-
-
Draw
+700
-
-
Eintracht Frankfurt
+1400
-
-
What is the Matchday 27 Schedule?
If you're following your Bundesliga action this weekend, then check out the schedule below and don't forget about Expert Picks from our top handicappers!
Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and Fox Sports 2 (FS2) will be airing sixe nationally televised games plus the Fox Sports Go streaming service is available in select areas.
Saturday, May 23
Wolfsburg vs. Borussia Dortmund (FS1, 9:30 a.m.)
Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Bayer Leverkusen (FS2, 9:30 a.m.)
SC Freiburg vs. Werder (9:30 a.m. ET)
SC Paderborn vs. Hoffenheim (9:30 a.m. ET)
Bayern Munich vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (FS1, 12:30 p.m.)
The top-flight German League is receiving a ton of action at the sportsbooks and we've got Bundesliga Odds and Picks locked and loaded.
