2010/11 Bundesliga betting preview and free bets
The German football season starts on Friday 20th August, when Bayern Munich host Wolfsburg and its Louis Van Gaal’s team who are strong favourites (8/15 Ladbrokes - £25 free bets) to retain their Bundesliga title.
While FC Hollywood might have to contend without Arjen Robben for a number of weeks, they look well equipped to third championship in four seasons, especially when you consider that they reached the final of the Champions League last term.
It appears that Franck Ribery will be ready for the start of the season and the Frenchman is clearly an important player for the German champions, although it’s Thomas Muller who could enjoy another fine season. The young forward was joint-top scorer at the 2010 World Cup and he’s an eye-catching 14/1 (Blue Square - £10 free bets) to win the Bundesliga Golden Boot.
Can anyone stop Bayern this season? 2008/9 champions Wolfsburg finished a disappointing eighth last season and actually lost more games at home than they won. Since then, the Wolves have recruited Steve McLaren as manager and the former England coach is 20/1 (bet365 - £200 free bets) to steer them to a second title. He will be hoping to retain the services of Edin Dzeko (12/1 Sky Bet - £15 free bets) as the Bosnian is a class act in front of goal.
However, it’s likely that the main title challenge to Bayern will come instead in the form of FC Schalke, who are 8/1 chances (Paddy Power - £20 free bet) to win the league. Under Felix Magath, the Royal Blues finished second last season and it could have been different if they had beaten Bayern at home towards the end of the season instead of losing 2-1.
The big coup for Schalke is the acquisition of former Real Madrid striker Raul, who has left the Bernabeu after several seasons and can be backed at 16/1 (Blue Square £10 frree betting) to finish top goalscorer. Perhaps the Spaniard will finally help them get over the line.
Werder Bremen are also a team that could go well next season, especially if they manage to keep hold of Mesut Ozil. Sporting Bet go 11/1 that Thomas Schaaf’s side repeat their success of 2003-4, although they will have to improve on their recent 5-1 friendly defeat against Fulham which saw the defence at sixes and sevens. They do have Per Mertesacker in defence and should go well if they don’t get distracted by European competition.
Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen are probably the other teams that could topple Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga and the latter will be boosted by the signing of Michael Ballack. The former Chelsea midfielder will bring a great deal of experience to the team and they are 20/1 (Coral) to complete something of an upset by winning the match.
Hamburg are tremendously well supported and bet365 go 18/1 that their fans are bouncing come the end of the campaign. They have arguably the strongest strikeforce in Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Marcus Berg, with the Dutchman on offer at 16/1 (Blue Square) to score the most goals in the Bundesliga.
