The fight for the top two positions in this year’s Bundesliga is between giants of German football, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Munich has dominated the league in recent years, and they are favorites to continue the trend. It is below them, in the race for Champions League qualification, where things are interesting. Three teams are battling it out for the two remaining qualification spots and the chance to mix it with the biggest clubs in Europe next season.
Union Berlin
Union Berlin has been on an upward trajectory since Urs Fischer took over for the 2018/2019 season and they have been this season’s surprise package. Their early form surprised everyone as they led the table, but they have now dropped back to +15000 outsiders. However, for those online betting in Zambia, outright markets have them as favorites to finish in the top four at odds of -500. These odds are offered alongside in-game betting and match prediction markets, as well as other gambling games including casinos and jackpots. Although their form has faltered recently, they remain in a great position to finish the season in the Champions League qualification spots.
RB Leipzig
Leipzig is something of a pariah in Germany due to their business and ownership model, they are the sister club of in-form RB Salzburg in Austria. They haven’t yet hit the heights their owners would have wanted but qualification for Europe’s premier competition is a must. It attracts up-and-coming talent to the club and is an important way to show off their current squad to maximize players’ sell-on value.
Timo Werner is one such player who they sold for two years and bought back to the club at a cut price. It never worked out for him at Chelsea but back at home in Germany, he will hope to regain the scoring touch that eluded him in England. Leipzig is currently listed at odds of -333 to qualify with destiny in their own hands. Christopher Nkunku, Emil Forsberg, and Andre Silva complete a strong attacking lineup for the club and their fans and management will hope they have the firepower to ensure they stay within the top four.
SC Freiburg
Freiburg is the outsider bet for qualification but only sits one point behind Leipzig. Their squad is made up of young, emerging talent with very few names known outside of Germany. Vincenzo Grifo has been the primary goal threat this year, averaging a goal every two games. In his second stint at Freiburg, he is enjoying a golden spell.
Ritsu Doan is another star of the team. He came to the world’s attention playing for Japan in the Qatar World Cup and has shined domestically in Germany too. Christian Streich manages the team and has done since 2011. If he could guide the outsiders to Champions League qualification it would be a career highlight and one that would upset the recent order of the Bundesliga elite.
With a hotly contested race between three teams with different resources and pressure, it promises to be a fascinating final few weeks at the upper end of the table.
