Bundesliga Betting Preview And Tips

It's 'as you were' in the Bundesliga title race after the top four sides all won on the weekend, while at the other end 12 teams are still threatened by relegation, with only ten points separating Borussia Monchengladbach at the foot of the table from Wolfsburg in seventh.

It looks more than likely that it could all come down to the final weekend, though there are some key games on the horizon.

Bayern Munich Still in the Bundesliga Hunt

Bayern Munich continue their recovery in the Bundesliga, seemingly unfazed by their Champions League campaign. However, as already mentioned, those teams above them also continue to win so Munich remain six points behind leaders Schalke 04, and the defence of their league title. Ottmar Hitzfeld's side currently lie in fourth, just two points outside of the Champions League positions, but have a home game this Sunday against Bayer Leverkusen who occupy fifth place. Pinnacle Sports make Munich favourites 1.926 (-1) with Leverkusen 2.00 (+1).

The Werkself will be without striker Stefan Kiesling, who saw red on the weekend, as his side crashed to a 4-1 defeat at home to Bochum. That result should have come as no surprise, following just three days after a demoralising 3-0 defeat by Osasuna at the BayArena in the UEFA Cup, effectively ending Leverkusen's aspirations in that competition. Michael Skibbe's side now have to try to lift themselves for the trip to the Allianz Arena, one of the toughest venues in the division. Bayern Munich have won on the last four occasions that these sides have met, and the last time Leverkusen won this particular fixture was way back in 1989.

Royal Blues Lead Race for the League Crown

Having twice led away to Wolfsburg last Saturday, Mainz 05 ended up losing the game 3-2, extending a losing streak to three games, in which time Jurgen Klopp's side have conceded eight goals. The 05's are now second from bottom, but all is not lost. Given the tight nature of the division, a win in their next fixture could lift out of the relegation zone. Unfortunately, the side visiting the Stadion Am Bruchweg are league leaders Schalke 04.

Mainz lost their last home game 2-1 against Leverkusen, but prior to that have gone seven unbeaten in front of their own fans. If they can regain the form that made them tough to beat at home, then they could get something out of this game, particularly as they have won both previous home games against the Royal Blues. Schalke have looked nervous leaders in recent weeks, and haven't won in three away trips, though they were clinical in beating Gladbach 2-0 on Saturday. Second half goals from German internationals, Kevin Kuranyi and Gerald Asamoah kept Schalke at the top of the table, and though the loss of Peter Lovenkrands for the remainder of the season is a blow, influential Brazilian midfielder, Lincoln, is available after a five game suspension. Pinnacle Sports have Schalke 1.877 (0/scratch & -0.5) with Mainz 2.05 (0/scratch & +0.5).

Doll Looking to Maintain Dortmund Revival

Thomas Doll had to wait until his third game in charge of Borussia Dortmund to see his first goal, but thankfully Christian Worns' opener against Alemania Aachen on Saturday, was swiftly followed by three more, giving Dortmund a valuable 4-1 win. Worns is one of the few survivors from the last time the Schwarzgelben were in a relegation dog-fight. Doll was drafted in to save the club from the threat of relegation, and the next challenge he faces is the visit of the second placed club, Werder Bremen. Given both clubs' powerful but differing motivations, the game at the Westfalenstadion should be a tightly contested affair.

Bremen did the double over Dortmund last season, but when the sides met last August, Dortmund ran out 3-1 winners. The away side's form has plummeted since then, hence the resignation of Jurgen Rober at the end of March. In contrast Bremen have been almost impregnable, keeping clean sheets in four of their last five league games, though they have drawn their last four on the road, and have the distraction of the UEFA Cup. Pinnacle Sports price Dortmund 1.813 (0/scratch & +0.5) with Bremen 2.13 (0/scratch & -0.5).