German Bundesliga gets underway
The 2023/24 edition of the German Bundesliga kicks off today as Werder Bremen lock horns with defending champions Bayern Munich.
On Saturday (August 19), the new era continues for Tottenham who lost top scorer and captain Harry Kane to Bayern Munich as they take on Manchester United in an eagerly anticipated showdown.
Event # 1 – Werder Bremen vs Bayern Munich– 1:30 pm
Werder Bremen finished 13th last season and will be aiming for an improved showing this campaign. However, Werder Bremen have not won the first game in any of their last eight Bundesliga seasons, and they have lost more league matches against Bayern Munich than any other team – 60 losses and counting. Having won just one of their last 12 matches to end last season, Werder Bremen returned to competitive action with another loss last week, losing 3-2 to Victoria Cologne in their DFB Pokal cup match.
Bayern Munich will be taking their first step toward a potential 12th-straight Bundesliga title against a side they are unbeaten against in 31 competitive matches.
The season didn’t start as planned for the German champions as they were ambushed and beaten 3-0 by RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup last weekend, a result that send shockwaves throughout Germany. With that said, Bayern signed England’s and former Tottenham captain Kane during the summer which makes them howling favourites to defend their title this campaign. Ahead of this fixture, Bayern Munich will be confident of a win as they last lost a match against Werder Breman in 2008, furthermore, Bayern’s coach Thomas Tuchel has won his last nine matches against Werder Bremen, a streak that stretches back to 2013. Worryingly for Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich have not lost their first fixture in any of the past 21 years.
KEY STATS
Werder Bremen – are winless in their last eight opening games of a Bundesliga season, with their last such win coming in 2013.
Bayern Munich – are unbeaten in their opening Bundesliga game of the season in their last 21 campaigns, with their previous defeat coming in 2001.
Both sides – Bayern Munich are unbeaten in their last 31 games against Werder Bremen in all competitions, with their previous such defeat coming by a 5-2 loss in 2008.
The betting tip.Bayern win.
Event # 2 EPL – Tottenham vs Man United – 11:30 am
Two of the Premier League’s big teams will be involved in another blockbuster affair as Tottenham and Manchester United go head-to-head tomorrow, Saturday, August 19.
Indeed, with the departure of their club captain and leading goal scorer Harry Kane, Tottenham played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Brentford last weekend, while Manchester United defeated Wolves 1-0 on Monday. Back in April, it was another four-goal stalemate when Tottenham hosted Manchester United, this time around they will be aiming to secure the victory to kick-start the era without Harry Kane. It will take a while for Tottenham to get used to life after Kane, their all-time leading goal scorer, who has been virtually ever-present since the 2014/15 season. However, they did look exciting in attack under new coach Ange Postecoglou, but it will probably take a few weeks for the players to get accustomed to his style of play.
Manchester United were poor in their opening game of the season as they were outplayed and dominated by Wolves at Old Trafford, but they still found a way to win the game 1-0. Based on chances created, Wolves should have scored at least once, and they should have beaten United on the balance of the game. The mark of a good team is often whether they can win matches when they aren’t playing well, which is exactly what United did. With that said, United were poor against the top 10 teams last season, out of a possible 24 points, they collected a mere one point. That was fewer than every other team in the division last season, even the relegated trio of Leicester, Leeds, and Southampton collected more. Indeed, United will be aiming to silence the doubter with a win in London to confirm they are going to be in the mix for the title this season.
KEY STATS
Tottenham – have scored in their last 17 matches in a row but have conceded in 18 of their last 20 matches in all competitions.
Man United – have scored in 12 of their last 13 matches. However, in their last six away games in the Premier League, United have won twice, drawn once, and have suffered three defeats.
Both sides – shared the points in a 2-2 draw when Tottenham hosted United last season, but in their last 10 meetings, United have won seven times, while Tottenham have won just once and two matches ending in draws.
The betting Tip. Draw – both teams to score.