Bundesliga Matchday 1 Odds & Picks: Goals Expected As Dortmund Host Gladbach

• The 2020-21 Bundesliga campaign gets underway on Friday, September 18th
• Bayern start their title defense at home to Schalke, while Dortmund and Monchengladbach meet on Saturday
• Get the latest Bundesliga odds, betting previews and picks below

In this most disrupted of years, the Bundesliga’s 2020-21 season kicks off in mid-September. They were the first major European league to return, but the teams were allowed plenty of time off to prepare for the new season. The Allianz Arena is once again the venue for the season’s first match, with European champions Bayern Munich welcoming Schalke. The biggest fixture of the round sees Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach clash on Saturday – both teams will be holding title ambitions.

Our third match in focus is Wolfsburg’s matchup with Bayer Leverkusen. Elsewhere, Arminia Bielefeld will be hoping to get their Bundesliga return off to a strong start as they face Eintracht Frankfurt.

The table below has all the odds for the opening weekend of the Bundesliga season.

Bundesliga Matchday 1 Odds

Odds taken September 17.

Pick 1: Bayern Munich vs Schalke

The reigning Bundesliga champions are heavily favored in their season-opener against Schalke. That’s the case for the majority of their matches, but this is a particularly extreme case. Schalke were the worst team in the Bundesliga after the hiatus, picking up a measly two points from their nine matches. David Wagner’s team were both ineffective and horrible to watch, scoring just five goals in that spell. They got enough points earlier in the season to be comfortable in 12th, but all eyes are on Die Knappen at the start of this season.

After such poor form, the Allianz is the last place any team wants to go. Bayern ended last season with 13 Bundesliga wins on the bounce. Already a fearsome attacking side, they have added Leroy Sane to the group alongside the world’s best striker in Robert Lewandowski and the constantly improving Serge Gnabry.

Leon Goretzka: "You can see in training that everyone is really up for it again. It's a very short preparation. But we didn't have long free time, so we haven't lost anything. Everyone's desire is back and noticeable." pic.twitter.com/jKVrEwGHgT

— Goretzka Stuff (@GoretzkaStuff) September 15, 2020

Bayern at -2 is -200. Bettors must look elsewhere for value – Bayern to win to nil at +104 is a solid option, as is Robert Lewandowski to open the scoring at +180.

Pick: Bayern to win in a shutout (+104)

Pick 2: Borussia Dortmund vs Borussia Monchengladbach

Two teams who briefly threatened Bayern’s supremacy last season, Dortmund and Gladbach will both be optimistic heading into the new season. Gladbach have retained star striking duo Marcus Thuram and Alassane Plea, while Dortmund have resisted Manchester United’s efforts to sign Jadon Sancho.

£110m for Jadon Sancho has to be one of the biggest no-brainer signings I've ever seen.

You're getting a 20 year old (English) world class talent that could theoretically play for you for the next decade.

If #MUFC miss out this summer they could face competition next year. pic.twitter.com/4J3V4g5DHV

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) September 15, 2020

Gladbach will have been a bit disappointed with their post-lockdown form. They won just five of their nine matches and ended up under pressure for the final Champions League spot. Dortmund won six and lost three, but their matches soon became meaningless as a top-four berth was secure and Bayern romped towards the title. A clean slate presents both of these teams with a fresh opportunity to challenge Bayern, and a good start is key with Leipzig expected to pick up three points at home to Mainz.

Both teams to score seems the obvious bet, but at -230 it’s not worthwhile. The attacking talent on display makes the goals total market a good place to look. Over 3.5 is the pick of the bunch.

Pick: Over 3.5 total goals (+114)

Pick 3: Wolfsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen

Two places and 14 points separated these two sides last term. Leverkusen narrowly missed out on Champions League football and ended up selling Kai Havertz. Wolfsburg’s seventh-placed finish was a fair reflection of their inconsistent performances. Like so many teams around Europe, Wolfsburg have had a relatively quiet transfer window. Their only notable signings were two youngsters in Maxence Lacroix and Bartosz Bialek. Leverkusen added talented forward Patrik Schick as a replacement for Havertz and Kevin Volland, who was sold to Monaco.

🚨 INCOMING TRANSFER 🚨

Czech international Patrik Schick has joined the Werkself on a five-year deal!

He'll wear the number 14 👕 pic.twitter.com/8CEbFBXbQ1

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) September 8, 2020

Despite waving goodbye to two of their attacking players, there’s still plenty of firepower in this Leverkusen squad. They have an experienced group of midfielders, a good core for the team to build around. Where Wolfsburg were one of the best defensive teams in the league last season (third in expected goals against), Leverkusen will be looking to dominate possession and commit men forward.

Leverkusen are a bit of an unknown without Havertz and Volland. Wolfsburg are a solid defensive team and will make it very difficult for the visitors. Wolfsburg to avoid defeat looks a good bet, albeit at a short price.

Pick: Wolfsburg win or draw (-182)

Bundesliga Season Preview Coverage

• Bundesliga 2020/21 Odds & Season Preview: Bayern Munich Heavy Favorites, Plus Odds for Top 4 & Top 6
• Bundesliga Relegation Odds Favor Arminia Bielefeld to Be Relegated & Finish Bottom of Table in 2020/21 Season

• Robert Lewandowski Odds-On Favorite to Win 2020/21 Bundesliga Top Goalscorer