2. Bundesliga – Season end – 18.05

We still haven't got a league winner in the 2. Bundesliga, and the qualifying spot at the bottom of the table hasn't been nailed down either. In other words, a lot is at stake on Sunday afternoon when the German league is rounded off!

The 2nd Bundesliga has gone pretty much as predicted. FC Köln was tipped as the league winner, and in theory that could still happen. Hamburg was tipped to fight for 2nd or 3rd place, and they have managed to do that with promotion as a reward. However, there has been complete chaos from 3rd place all the way down to 9th place at times. Here, there has been as even as a 2-point difference during the season, and the teams have changed places in order. Everyone has really beaten everyone. Form teams have suddenly gone 5-0 down, only to strike with a crushing victory the following weekend. The best example is Magdeburg, who after half a season was in 3rd place without having won a single home game. In that sense, it has been difficult to give odds tips on these teams. Marking bets quickly became irrelevant, and the value in corner and goal bets were generally better and decisive. In addition, some goalscorer bets were placed, which is always fun. At the end of the day, Hamburg is guaranteed promotion, while Cologne needs at least 1 point to secure 2nd place, regardless of how the matches against Elversberg and Paderborn go. If Hamburg were to lose and Cologne win, then Cologne would actually take 1st place. That could happen, because Hamburg will face a desperate Greuther Fürth team away. Greuther would have to win to keep Preussen Münster and Eintracht Braunschweig behind them. And Hamburg has already been promoted, but one would think that the team's motivation to take 1st place is quite high, as far as the party has calmed down after last weekend - when the Volkparkstadion was overhauled after the 6-1 victory and the storming of the pitch! Cologne, for its part, will host Kaiserslautern at home. And Kaiserslautern is theoretically fighting to take the important 3rd place, but here a lot will have to be decided and several teams around them will have to make mistakes. Elversberg must lose away to a formless Schalke 04, Paderborn must stumble away to Karlsruher and Fortuna Düsseldorf must stumble away to Magdeburg. But, anything can happen. Only 1 of the 3 mentioned opponents of the teams in the qualifying match has something to play for. In short, we have:

• Hamburg and Cologne in the battle for 1st place
• Elversberg, Paderborn, Fortuna Düsseldorf and Kaiserslautern in the battle for 3rd place which gives qualification against what looks to be Heidenheim
• No Man's Land down to Darmstadt 98 in 12th place
• Schalke 04 (although very, very unlikely), Greuther Fürth, Preussen Münster and Eintracht Braunschweig in a battle to avoid ending up in a relegation qualifying place

In other words, we have a lot of good things ahead of us here, and every match has been looked at in detail. Here again, you can pick singles, doubles or triples, and the belief in each game is based on the number of units given. Good luck!

Darmstadt 98 – Jahn Regensburg

We start with a match that has zero significance, the season is over for both of these teams. Jahn has long since been relegated, while Darmstadt ends in a disappointing 12th place after a brutal encounter with the 2. Bundesliga after relegation last year. The teams are not in great shape either, Darmstadt has only 1 win in the last 5, and the same goes for Jahn. There are few goals scored by both teams, and where the motivation of the players lies before this match is not easy to say. Jahn won the previous match 2-1 after two late goals. It is doubtful whether we will see the same here, and therefore the game will be:

Under 2.5 goals (2.54) – 3/10 units

 

Eintracht Braunschweig – FC Nuremberg

Eintracht Braunschweig has been getting things going lately, but is it too late? After a hopeless start to the season, and an autumn that is unforgettable, things turned around after the winter break. Especially after March, things have picked up, in 7 games since then there have been 3 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss. But point losses against Preussen Münster and Jahn Regensburg mean that they are in the qualifying place, on points with Preussen Münster but with a much worse goal difference. 1 point ahead of them is Greuther Fürth, and 3 points ahead of there again Schalke 04 – but all of them have a better goal difference than Braunschweig. So the message is clear: here it must be won, anything else is too risky. Especially when Preussen Münster meets an Ulm that has already been relegated. Then we have the state of Nuremberg: no man's land. They are in 10th place and most of the conditions are in place for them to end up there. The form curve is also nothing to be happy about: 3 losses in the last 5. In other words, Braunschweig's form curve is flatter here and they have had a nice scoring average of 1.8 in the last 5. Nuremberg, on the other hand, has conceded 2 goals or more in the last 4/5. When the teams met in the fall, Nuremberg won 1-0, but far more is at stake at Eintracht-Stadion this Sunday. Marking play is a bit scary here, but we rather see that Braunschweig must move forward, and they have shown that they have goals in them. Nuremberg has also been very weak at the back, and we have seen countless times how bad they are on bad days - now without any real form of motivation in addition. The game here is therefore:

Eintracht Braunschweig over 1.5 goals (1.55) – 5/10 units

 

FC Cologne – Kaiserslautern

In Cologne, the excitement level is also high on Sunday. At a sold-out RheinEnergieStadion, the atmosphere will be intense – that can be guaranteed. Cologne will take 1st place, but can also be happy with 2nd place – the most important thing is of course to get up to the Bundesliga immediately – which they are doing well by all accounts. But the possibility is there that they could end up in the qualifying place if the games around them go their way and theirs go awry. Kaiserslautern, on the other hand, will do everything in their power to steal the important 3rd place. We have to go back to the 11/12 season when they were last in the Bundesliga, and the desire to get back there for a city with a fantastic fan base and a stadium that holds 49,780, is unmistakable! We will see two completely dedicated teams enter the mat and with that we have to look at games that involve cards, tackles, corners and goals.

Let's start with cards: Here Cologne is on the disciplined side overall, with an average of 1.81 cards in their 16 home games and an average of 2.21 in all 33 games this season. However , in the last 5, that average has gone straight up to 2.6. Much of this is from the games against Greuther Fürth and Hannover 96. A hero-filled Cologne team, where a lot is at stake, can quickly lose their heads a little. Kaiserslautern averages 2.69 in away games, but is down to 2.39 in all games overall. In the last 5 for Cologne, there have been 5 cards per game on average 4.8 in Kaiserslautern's games. A lot is at stake here, and as soon as the referee is announced, a bet can be backed up or backed away from. If Stegemann, Alt or Hempel are listed, then we know that the list can be set accordingly. The suggestion here is therefore over 4.5 cards (X). For the record: the last time these two met, there were 5 cards in the match.

It's not often easy to find 'foul' games in the 2. Bundesliga, but if they do come up it's good to keep in mind that both of these average relatively high on that list. Cologne average 12.45 free kicks per game, while Kaiserslautern are at 12.36. This goes hand in hand with cards of course, and individual team games or the match as a whole can be considered here, if odds appear.

Cologne tops the corner statistics overall with 6.39 corners per match, and averages high at home with 6.63. In the last 5 they have averaged 6 corners for and 10.6 in total in the matches. Kaiserslautern is a little worse, away the average is down to 3.94 per match, but 5.24 in total. In their last 5 it has been 5.6 on average and 12.6 on average per match. Here we get 1.68 odds on over 5.5 corners for Cologne , 1.65 odds on over 3.5 for Kaiserslautern and 1.93 on over 10.5 corners . Some of this needs to be tried. Especially when we got 15 corners the last time these two met.

On the goal front, the teams are also strong, but especially Kaiserslautern. They are in the top tier of over 2.5 goals this season with a result of 23 out of 33 games with over 2.5 goals. They are slightly lower on BTS, with 61% of the games under that umbrella. Cologne had an impressive period where they consistently won 1-0, and with that they are quite far down on that statistic. However, Cologne's last 4 out of 5 have now ended with BTS, but only 2 out of 5 with over 2.5 goals. At Kaiserslautern, the result is 4 out of 5 games with BTS and the same number of over 2.5 goals. And a full 3 of these have ended 2-1 one way or the other. It is naturally tempting to consider BTS + over 2.5 goals here at odds of 1.78 . It is still a highly relevant bet if you don't feel comfortable with the corner game.

Considering that we have two teams that have to advance, it is assumed that we will get chances accordingly. The small danger is that Cologne may try to secure a possible 1-0 lead, and with that BTS + over 2.5 goals is also placed under greater uncertainty. But we are betting that it will be even for long enough, a chance bonanza and corners thereafter. The game here is therefore:

Over 10.5 corners (1.93) – 5/10 units

 

Greuther Fürth – Hamburger SV

Another exciting match takes place in Fürth, northwest of Nuremberg. Here the green and whites must preferably win against a high-flying Hamburger SV to avoid a potential relegation. So far they are on safe ground, but only one poor point ahead of Eintracht Braunschweig. They have a better goal difference, but know that there are goals in Hamburger, and the numbers can quickly get ugly if they are not turned on. In addition, Hamburger comes here with a clear goal of securing 1st place and being crowned champions of the 2nd Bundesliga. The numbers are not cheerful for Greuther these days either: 3 losses and 2 draws in the last 5 with a 2-5 goal difference. All 5 matches have ended under 2.5 goals and only two with BTS. Hamburger, on the other hand, has been involved in one goal celebration after another. Their numbers show 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw with a 15-9 goal difference. BTS in 4/5 matches and over 2.5 goals in 5/5 matches. Two conflicting statistics and a difficult starting point. It doesn't make it any better that Hamburger won 5-0 when they met on December 21. Where do we end up then? Here the belief that Hamburger will take this all the way home is strong, but there are slightly fewer goals in the team on the away field. This has not been the case lately, and even though Greuther Fürth is generally stingy at the back, we think Hamburger's party football will continue. Marking is risky here, but the belief in Hamburger's goal is there, at good odds:

Hamburger SV over 1.5 goals (1.62) – 4/10 units

 

Hertha Berlin – Hannover 96

Two teams that have finished playing for the season meet at the Olympiastadion and it must be said that this is not the match that will be followed with sharp eyes on Sunday. On the contrary, here the belief in sleep football is unfortunately high. Hannover 96 is in 8th place and fought for a short while one match at the top, before the loss of form hit. Hertha, for its part, has been a yo-yo team this season, characterized by unstable performances. We spend less time going into depth on this match, but in short, Hertha's last 4 of 5 matches have ended under 2.5 goals and for Hannover it is 2 of 5. Both teams are in the lower tier of matches over 2.5 goals this season, and even though the corner statistics are somewhat funnier for both teams, we simply believe that this match will be characterized by little motivation and a little bad football characterized by dullness. Let's hope that it is estimated wrong, in the heart of football joy. But, in terms of odds, we are moving into under bets here, under 2.5 goals is available at a whopping 2.60 in odds! To jack us down a bit, we actually get good odds on under 3.5 goals too, it is too good to ignore. And let's not forget that these teams played 0-0 last fall in a low-scoring match. The bet here is:

Under 3.5 goals (1.65) – 6/10 units

 

Karlsruher SC – Paderborn

In Karlsruher there is a bit more action: Paderborn is fighting an intense battle for 3rd place, and has spent much of the season around that table position. Karlsruher are finished for the season, but have been playing in good form lately, so this will not be an easy task for Paderborn. Karlsruher has 2 wins and 3 draws in the last 5 with over 2.5 goals in 3/5. They have scored in all 5 games, and in the last 3 there have been 2 goals in all. And the opponents here include Hamburger and Kaiserslautern. Paderborn, on the other hand, is 3-1-1 and 9-6 in goal difference. 3/5 games have gone over 2.5 goals, and Paderborn has also scored in all 5 games. When the teams met in the fall, Karlsruher won 2-1, but then they had the goal stealer Zivzivadze. They struggled immediately after he disappeared, but have since found their form, with Wanitzek taking over on the goalscoring front. Apart from goals, we also have to look at corners here, because as recently as last weekend the corner tip came into play when Paderborn met Magdeburg. Paderborn averages 6.13 corners away and 6.15 overall. Karlsruher is in the middle of the 'table' in that context with an average of 5.18. The interesting thing here is that Paderborn needs to move forward, and in the last 5 they have averaged 5.4 corners (10.2 overall on average in these matches). Over 5.5 corners for Paderborn are available at 1.64 odds and the last time they met Karlsruher they were left with 10 corners. Considering the starting point that indicates attacks from the first second from Paderborn, it is tempting to raise this to over 6.5 corners, at 2.05 odds. It is risky but certainly not impossible considering the match picture. Before concluding, one can of course consider BTS + over 2.5 goals at 1.70 odds (the bets individually both give under 1.50 odds). Both bets are usable, but since Karlsruher has little to play for, corner bets are more tempting. And here both corner suggestions will be entered, but the main tip is:

Paderborn over 5.5 corners (1.64) – 5/10 units

 

Magdeburg – Fortuna Dusseldorf

In Magdeburg we also have excitement. Unfortunately, in Magdeburg's sense, the disappointment came when it was not supposed to come. They had a real opportunity to fight for promotion for a long time, but losses (and crushing losses in that sense) against Preussen Münster (0-5!) and Ulm then end the season with 'close, but no cigar'. It is possible that the main focus here will be to end the season with a victory, to the delight of fans who have not had very good football at home. Magdeburg has been an away team to the greatest extent this year. Fortuna Düsseldorf, on the other hand, is fighting a battle for 3rd place. A lot has to go right for it to happen, but here they have to give everything to try. And in terms of form, things are looking better for Düsseldorf, 2 wins and 3 draws in the last 5, of which they have scored 2 goals or more in the last 4 of 5. Magdeburg's last 2 matches have been deplorable, especially the last home match. Düsseldorf comes here with courage and purpose, while Magdeburg would rather do what they can to avoid a massive whistle concert at the end of the season. There could easily be goals here, Magdeburg will not be behind, nor Düsseldorf and this is how the bookmakers see it: 1.41 in odds on over 2.5 goals. Where we rather see is Düsseldorf goals, here we get good value. Before the main game is presented, it must be pointed out that Magdeburg averages high in corner statistics with 7.25 corners on average at home. This has been maintained despite recent losses, and therefore it is worth mentioning that you get over 5.5 corners to Magdeburg at a whopping 1.98 in odds . It is definitely worth considering, but my gut feeling is closer to Düsseldorf goals. The main game will be here:

Fortuna Düsseldorf over 1.5 goals (1.89) – 4/10 units

 

Schalke 04 – Elversberg

In Gelsenkirchen, the team is gearing up for the last home game of the year. The undersigned is a Schalke 04 fan and has been since the first ball was kicked, so here is all the info about what to expect: because the Schalke fans are not sparing anything, despite a (pardon the expression) shitty season with a whole bunch of miserable performances. The undersigned dares to say that these are the world's most loyal and best fans. And the entire Schalke staff is fully aware that nothing but 100% effort is good enough, especially at home and especially to put out some flames before the season is over. Although it is theoretically possible to end up in a relegation-eligible place, it will take some extraordinary results for that to happen. Schalke has -9 in goal difference and Eintracht Braunschweig has -23 in goal difference. So to continue the theory, Schalke has nothing but honor to play for here, to give the supporters some joy at the end of a deplorable season. Elversberg, on the other hand, holds 3rd place before the matches kick off and will do absolutely everything in their power to keep it. Elversberg also has a brilliant form curve with 3 wins and 2 draws in the last 5 with an 11-4 goal difference. Schalke, on the other hand, has 4 losses and 1 draw in the last 5 with a 3-10 goal difference. Things are leaking at Schalke, especially after Karius was injured. The coaching team has also been overhauled in that time, without any significant improvement, and with 2 goals conceded in each match, we have to look at Elversberg's goals here. They have to come forward and they will secure, but here we unfortunately only get 1.47 odds of over 1.5 goals for Elversberg. Therefore, we rather look at goal bets combined with marking - in favor of Elversberg, because there is little to indicate that Schalke will achieve much here. The injury list is also long at Schalke. Elversberg corners can also be considered, or corners overall, both teams are high on the list here, but the odds are too tempting for that. The main bet is here:

Elversberg to win + over 1.5 goals (1.85) – 5/10 units

 

Ulm–Prussian Münster

In Ulm, the home fans have come to terms with the fact that it will be the 3rd league again next season. The team was never close to maintaining the 2nd Bundesliga level and most people are aware of that. And it may seem as if the air has gone out of the group in Ulm a bit, they went 6 points behind last weekend and what was a pretty solid defensive team has failed in the end. In the last 5 they have 3 losses and 2 wins, with a 6-11 goal difference. Preussen Münster has shown better tactics throughout the season, but still finds itself just above Eintracht Braunschweig with a better goal difference (much better, -3 compared to Braunschweig's -23). ​​Here they know that Braunschweig has a game they can absolutely win at home against Nuremberg, so the main focus of Preussen will be attack and 3 points - anything else is too risky. And they know that Ulm is leaking, while they themselves have been solid lately. 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in the last 5 with a goal difference of 10-5. The last two games in particular have been impressive with 5-0 away against Magdeburg and 2-0 at home against Hertha Berlin. The match between these two in December is fresh in my memory: here the odds tip for a draw was published and it went in. But there is less faith that we will see the same here. Preussen Münster has too much at stake, Ulm has nothing, and the away team is in good form. Therefore, we look more closely at goal bets. Before it is presented, we would like to suggest a high-odds bonus tip here: Preussen Münster wins and keeps the score at 3.70 in odds . The risky thing here is of course that Ulm has scored in all of their last 5, but there is good value in that and Preussen Münster comes with a defense with high self-confidence (although it is worth considering that their shoulders may be just as high heading into the match here). We look at Preussen Münster and goals, the main bet will be:

Preussen Münster over 1.5 goals (1.82) – 4/10 units

 

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