Odds Heavily Favor Bayern Munich to Win Bundesliga Title Race: Does Dortmund Have a Chance?
- Bavarian giants lead by one point with four games left
- Borussia were in front for months but slipped
- Bayern’s next two games against bottom clubs
Germany’s Bundesliga is enjoying a thrilling finale to the season with top club Bayern Munich leading Borussia Dortmund by just one point with four matches remaining.
Odds to Win 2019 Bundesliga Title
| Team | Odds to Win Bundesliga |
|---|---|
| Bayern Munich | -600 |
| Borussia Dortmund | +400 |
Odds taken April 25, 2019
Despite the narrow gap, Bayern are heavily favoured at -600 to win their sixth championship in a row.
Although Dortmund held the lead for 19 consecutive rounds of fixtures earlier in the season, they are now rank outsiders at +400.
? "I want to leave here fit and healthy – and preferably with two titles!"@ArjenRobben is back in team training ?#MiaSanMia #packmas pic.twitter.com/bc0TYG8l9r
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) April 25, 2019
That offers only a fanciful, calculated risk bet prompted by the slim idea that Bayern’s last two matches are against clubs currently hoping to secure Champions League qualification.
Little Threat From FC Nurnberg & Hannover 96
Against that, Munich face the bottom two clubs, FC Nurnberg and Hannover 96, in their next two fixtures.
They are highly likely to continue with their recent fine form and press home their advantage against these sides.
Bayern have also underlined their current happy mood by reaching the DFB Pokal Cup final, promising their first league-and-cup double since 2016 after a disappointing exit against Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Bayern have hit 28 goals in their last seven games, including a 5-0 thrashing of Dortmund on April 6
Bayern are the rumbling juggernaut of the Bundesliga and have won nine times and drawn once since their last defeat at Bayer Leverkusen on February 2.
?️ Favre pregame presser ahead of #BVBS04:
"We obviously want to win the derby, its an unbelievably important game for us. The last few games against Schalke have been very tight, they can be very dangerous and should not be overlooked." pic.twitter.com/tAU77JiwOh
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) April 25, 2019
They have hit 28 goals in their last seven games, including a 5-0 thrashing of Dortmund on April 6.
Dortmund Not So Free-Scoring
Dortmund’s form is almost as compelling with that hammering by rivals Bayern their only setback during a recent run of five wins from six games. They have not been scoring as freely, however, with 13 goals arriving in those six fixtures.
So the momentum is with Bayern after they finally overhauled Dortmund for the first time since September with a 6-0 hammering of Wolfsburg on March 9.
Their experience in winning the past six titles is a critical factor, while Dortmund have not triumphed since 2011-12.
Hot Local Derby Task Against Schalke 04
Dortmund’s next match could be demanding. It is the fiercely-contested Ruhr Derby against Schalke 04, although the visitors are 15th and have won only once in the previous five games.
Dortmund visit Borussia Mönchengladbach who are currently fifth and could still be hunting a Champions League qualifying spot.
But then they must travel to eighth-placed Werder Bremen, who are battling to finish fourth and claim a Champions League place for next season.
Borussia Dortmund and Schalke: Close rivals who could not be further apart https://t.co/xF1clXgqPQ pic.twitter.com/StxWq2VJ54
— Cleansheet (@Cleansheet) April 25, 2019
After that, they are at home against tenth-placed Fortuna Dusseldorf. The final day could be tricky, however.
Dortmund visit Borussia Mönchengladbach who are currently fifth and could still be hunting a Champions League qualifying spot.
Bayern’s penultimate fixture is at RB Leipzig. They are currently third, nine points adrift of Bayern. Their Champions League place seems assured but they could still be hunting their second-ever runners-up finish in the top flight.
Frankfurt Fixture May be Tricky
The potentially tricky date for Bayern is on the final day against Eintracht Frankfurt, who are Europa League semifinalists.
Bayern Munich president on Hudson-Odoi: ‘I think we will continue to think about him, But in a phase in which he’s currently on the operating table, it makes no sense to make statements.’ #CFC pic.twitter.com/iAFnAbrECp
— The Blues (@TheBlues___) April 25, 2019
Frankfurt are currently fourth, but only two points ahead of fifth-placed Mönchengladbach. They could be seeking a top four spot in that final fixture. But Bayern may already have the title wrapped up again by then.
Pick: Bayern Munich -600
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
