The Bundesliga is the last of the major leagues to kick off, with no fewer than six first-round matches taking place on Saturday.
We’ll see Elversberg make their debut, as well as Paderborn’s return to the top flight. We’ll also see how all the teams fare under their new managers.
Don’t miss a moment of Saturday’s Bundesliga action with our expert tips and predictions.
Today’s Bundesliga betting tips & predictions
Elversberg vs. Bayer Leverkusen (2:30pm)
Elversberg will become the 59th team to make their Bundesliga debut, and they face the champions from two years ago, Bayer Leverkusen, straight away.
There is no doubt that the hosts are the clear favourites to be relegated, but it is entirely possible for them to achieve a success similar to that of Union Berlin, who are now a permanent fixture in the top flight.
The visitors, however, are on a completely different level and are likely to go all out for a win in what, on paper, is their easiest match of the season. In any case, the home side have nothing to lose and must put in their best performance right from the start, so I’m expecting over 2.5 goals, regardless of whether we see an upset or a crushing victory for the visitors.
Elversberg vs. Bayer Leverkusen top betting tip: Over 2.5 goals
FC Koln vs. Hoffenheim (2:30pm)
FC Koln and Hoffenheim had very different seasons, finishing a full 29 points apart.
Although the visitors were far more successful, they failed to beat FC Koln even once last season. Overall, they have just one win in their last five head-to-head matches.
This leads us to expect a closely fought match, as is usually the case between these two sides, and in my view it is most reasonable to expect goals at both ends once again.
FC Koln vs. Hoffenheim top betting tip: BTTS
Mainz vs. Paderborn (2:30pm)
Mainz and Paderborn got the season off to a flying start with resounding victories in the DFB-Pokal, setting the tone for a goal-filled start to the Bundesliga.
It is crucial for Mainz to get off to a strong start at home, having experienced serious problems at their own ground last season. For Paderborn, meanwhile, this is their third season in the Bundesliga and their sole aim for the season is to avoid immediate relegation.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, they’ll start with a defeat, given how many players have left the team since promotion. I reckon it will take them some time to get up to speed in the top flight.
Mainz vs. Paderborn top betting tip: Mainz to win
RB Leipzig vs. Borussia Monchengladbach (2:30pm)
Although they finished in the top four, RB Leipzig have appointed a new manager, and it remains to be seen how this will play out, but early indications suggest the decision was a good one.
Borussia Monchengladbach had a strong pre-season and will be hoping for a better season than the last five, in which they finished in the bottom half of the table.
A win at the Red Bull Arena, however, seems a tall order, given that Borussia have never won there. RB finished last season with five consecutive home wins, including one against Monchengladbach.
RB Leipzig vs. Borussia Monchengladbach top betting tip: RB Leipzig to win
Union Berlin vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (2:30pm)
This is one of the matches that I believe has the greatest potential for goals. Both teams are starting the season with new managers and will be looking to improve on their disappointing campaigns.
These are two of the teams whose matches produced the most goals last season, and I’m particularly interested to see whether Eintracht have sorted out their defensive problems. After all, they conceded a whopping 65 goals last season, the third-worst defence in the league.
Given the uncertainties surrounding both teams, it makes the most sense at this stage to look for goals. The last four H2H matches have seen goals scored at both ends.
Union Berlin vs. Eintracht Frankfurt top betting tip: BTTS
Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger (5:30pm)
The big question ahead of the start of the Bundesliga is whether Borussia Dortmund will once again simply be the best of the rest, or whether this time they will be a genuine challenger to Bayern Munich for the title.
The season didn’t get off to a good start, as they lost the Super Cup final to Bayern, but they now host Hamburger SV, who are aiming to establish themselves as a permanent fixture in the top flight after finishing mid-table last season.
Signal Iduna Park is one of the toughest grounds to play at, and Dortmund have won 13 of their last 15 home matches against Hamburger. I expect them to get the season off to the best possible start, with a win and a goal-fest.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Hamburger top betting tip: Borussia Dortmund & Over 2.5 goals
Vladislav has been professionally engaged in freelance journalism for seven years and has worked with numerous leading sports publications. A football and martial arts fanatic, he spent years training in both disciplines before turning to writing.
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