Bundesliga: Weekend preview with best bets for matches on Saturday March 14
With no Premier League and Sky Bet EFL, we take a look at the Bundesliga and pick out some best bets to back on Saturday.
Recommended bets
1pt Axel Witsel to have 1+ shots on target in Dortmund v Schalke at 11/5
1pt Koln to beat Mainz and over 3.5 goals in the match at 3/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Dortmund v Schalke
We're treated to a Revierderby in the Bundesliga this weekend as Dortmund look to continue to add pressure to Bayern at the top as they welcome Schalke.
Borussia were knocked out of the Champions League in midweek by PSG but their domestic form has been strong. With the current champions playing in the later kick-off, this game presents the perfect opportunity for the hosts to move within a point of first.
David Wagner is a familiar face to Premier League fans as he took Huddersfield to the promised land. He has since moved on to Schalke, who are battling to hold onto their Europa League place.
Schalke's season has been somewhat of a disappointment given how they started the campaign. They were within five points of top after 15 games but now they're finding themselves in a scrap for a European spot.
Their away form on the whole has been a concern and that puts them in a difficult position on Saturday. The last six league games on the road have failed to provide victory - it's partly the reason why they are 7/1 outsiders for three points.
Dortmund should win this with a margin of comfort. Their home form has been excellent and there's little reason to suggest that will end here.
Given their big odds-on price, the value comes from the shots on target market and looking at that Dortmund midfield to shine in this area.
Axel Witsel has been a regular part of the Dortmund midfield this season, when injury hasn't prevented him from starting, and has formed a decent defensive midfield partnership with Emre Can.
Despite that defensive starting position, Witsel has looked to contribute to his side's overall attacking intent and has posted at least one shot in five of his last six Bundesliga outings.
He also posted a shot in their home victory over PSG in the Champions League. It's an ask for those shots to be on target, but at the best price of 11/5 it's worth backing him to do so given that recent track record.
Koln v Mainz
Koln would have been looking over their shoulder as they battled for Bundesliga survival but five wins from eight games post-Winter break have seen them move ten points clear of 16th.
Their only home defeat in 2020 came at the hands of Bayern but the three victories either side of that result saw them score at least three goals in each.
In Mainz, they face a side who have struggled to find consistency on the road in recent weeks. They are the only team yet to draw an away game, showing how it's seemingly one extreme or the other.
A look back at November provides the perfect example for this. They were hammered 8-0 at the hands of RB Leipzig but bounced backed with a 5-1 victory at Hoffenheim three weeks later.
Even looking further, the game at Augsburg two weeks after their success at Hoffenheim ended in a 2-1 defeat. The away game after that? A 5-0 hammering of struggling Bremen.
The signs all point to a high-scoring contest when these two sides meet. Not only because the reverse fixture in October finished 3-1 but their form across the whole campaign.
All four of Koln's last four home games have seen four of more goals scored. That takes them to five from 12 at home over the season.
For Mainz, they sit top of the away charts when it comes to over 2.5 goals in a game. They've also seen over 3.5 in each of their last four on the road.
It's worth backing goals again here but siding with the home team following their positive results this side of the winter break. It should be an entertaining clash at the RheinEnergieStadion.
Best bet: Koln to beat Mainz and over 3.5 goals in the match at 3/1
Odds correct as of 1430 GMT on 13/03/20
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