Bundesliga: Brilliant Bayern to Blow Hoffenheim Away

TSG Hoffenheim vs Bayern Munich

It’s all going Bayern Munich’s way at the moment. Not only are they top of the Bundesliga thanks to an impressive unbeaten run, but they are also in control of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Chelsea after a dominant 3-0 first-leg win.

But for the time being, it’s back to Bundesliga action for the Bavarians, who will pay a visit to Hoffenheim on the weekend.

Die Kraichgauer have been involved in some headlines off the pitch in recent weeks, while their form on the pitch has dipped.

And as the Bundesliga 2020 odds for this match point out, Hoffenheim’s chances of getting back to winning ways against the champions aren’t great.

Talking Points

Hoffenheim involved in headlines

Hoffenheim have been in the headlines of late, but not for ideal reasons. First, Borussia Dortmund fans were banned for two years from travelling to Hoffenheim away matches due to their abusive chants directed at Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp.

As a reaction to that ruling, some Borussia Monchengladbach fans then unfurled a banner of Hopp in crosshairs during their most recent match at Hoffenheim.

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Bundesliga

Hoffenheim ended up drawing that match, which finally stopped the side’s recent three-match losing skid. That run began with a 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal.

After going behind early, Bayern battled back to score four unanswered goals. But Hoffenheim’s Munas Dabbur bagged a late brace to keep the score more respectable.

The PreZero Arena has not offered much of an advantage for Hoffenheim this season. They’ve won just five of their 12 home matches, with six defeats and a draw. Their defence has been especially suspect in front of their home fans. They’ve conceded 25 goals at home compared to just 11 in 11 away matches.

Hoffenheim have already conceded three or more goals at home five times this season, while Bayern have scored three or more in seven of their last eight away games in all competitions.

Bayern back to the best

Bayern Munich have had quite an impressive last couple of months. Since losing back-to-back games at home to Bayer Leverkusen and at Borussia Monchengladbach, Hansi Flick’s side have reeled off a run of 12 matches unbeaten in all competitions, with 11 wins.

Their lone setback of sorts was a goalless draw at home against top title challengers RB Leipzig, which was a perfectly acceptable result.

To illustrate just how dominant Bayern have been during that time, 10 of their 11 wins have come by two or more goals. The only game they didn’t win more comfortably was a 3-2 home victory over Paderborn last time out in the league.

Can Hansi Flick guide Bayern Munich to win another Bundesliga title? — Bayern Munich interim manager Hansi Flick before the DFB-Pokal match against Hoffenheim

Bayern were surprisingly given a tough fight by the Bundesliga’s bottom club, who came from behind twice in the match before Robert Lewandowski broke their hearts with a late winner.

Perhaps that was just complacency creeping in ahead of their big Champions League clash against Chelsea. Bayern were well and truly locked in for that match as they blew the doors off the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

Serge Gnabry, who famously smashed four past Tottenham the last time he visited London in the Champions League, was at it again as he bagged a brace. The German international has been creating multiple Bundesliga 2020 highlights of late as he’s scored five goals and assisted two more over his last three games.

Not to be outdone, Lewandowski was also brilliant against Chelsea as he scored the third goal and set up Gnabry for the first two. The Polish striker is now up to an astonishing 25 league goals in 23 Bundesliga games, with 11 more goals in the Champions League — the most in this year’s tournament.

History

Like many other Bundesliga sides, Hoffenheim have historically not had a great deal of success against Bayern. In 25 meetings since 2008, Hoffenheim have won just three times to Bayern’s 17, with five draws.

However, all three of those wins have come in their last six meetings. That includes a huge 2-1 win over Bayern at the Allianz Arena thanks to a brace by Sargis Adamyan.

Unfortunately, though, the architect of those famous victories — manager Julian Nagelsmann — is no longer around, so Hoffenheim will find it much tougher to topple the champions this time around.

Betting Tip

	TSG Hoffenheim vs Bayern Munich	Bayern Munich Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.09
	February 29, 22:30 (GMT+8)

The SBOBET odds have Bayern as significant 1.42 favourites, with Hoffenheim priced at just 6.20 to pick up the home win.

But the Asian Handicap offers much more value, which is why it is my ideal bet. The combination of Bayern’s recent dominance on the road coupled with Hoffenheim’s poor home form can’t go wrong.

Even if Bayern make a few changes to their side following their Champions League travels, they have more than enough depth and quality to score a comfortable win of at least two goals at Hoffenheim.