Predictions for Matchday 3 of the Bundesliga, September 12-14
Bayer vs Eintracht
Bayer missed out on a victory for the second consecutive match despite leading, but at least in the second round, they didn't lose. However, after these results, the management's patience ran out, and they decided to part ways with Erik ten Hag after just a couple of months. Danish specialist Kasper Hjulmand, who hadn't coached anyone for a year after the Danish national team, took his place. Unlike the hosts, their upcoming opponent Eintracht is not showing a decline in form and is proving that last season's bronze medal was well-deserved. Despite Bayer winning the last five matches against Eintracht in a row, we doubt they can win for the sixth time. However, we do believe in a high-scoring match, just like in the past five encounters.
Match Prediction Bayer vs Eintracht: Eintracht will not lose
Union vs Hoffenheim
The upcoming opponents started the season identically: with victories in the first round and defeats in the second. The head-to-head history shows a slight advantage for Union, but Hoffenheim had a very impressive preseason. Therefore, despite Union winning the last three head-to-head matches, we won't count the "blue and whites" out. The average total goals in their head-to-head encounters is 3.25, so we predict a high-scoring match.
Match Prediction Union vs Hoffenheim: total over 2.5 goals
Heidenheim vs Borussia Dortmund
Heidenheim started the season with two defeats, once again confirming their status as one of the main underdogs in the Bundesliga. Borussia Dortmund, hungry for the championship title, is coming to visit. How long the "bees" can keep up in the race against Bayern, we'll find out soon. For now, Borussia, having learned lessons from the first-round match against St. Pauli, should secure a victory despite being the away team.
Match Prediction Heidenheim vs Borussia Dortmund: Borussia Dortmund to win
Wolfsburg vs Cologne
The main surprise at the start of the Bundesliga, in our opinion, is Cologne, who is not shy about defeating one European zone team after another. Wolfsburg is also unbeaten under Paul Simones but has already dropped points. The home advantage is on the side of the "wolves." Predicting a winner in this game is difficult; it's more likely that both teams will find the net, as has happened in 7 of the last 10 head-to-head matches.
Match Prediction Wolfsburg vs Cologne: both teams to score (yes)
Freiburg vs Stuttgart
Julian Schuster's team might be the biggest disappointment at the start of the season: two matches against not the strongest teams in the league (Augsburg, Cologne) – two defeats with a total goal difference of 2:7. For now, Freiburg is not living up to their fifth-place finish from last year. Stuttgart, after losing in the first round to Union, secured their first three points at home against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Despite being the away team in the upcoming game, bookmakers favor the "Swabians." However, it's worth mentioning that the team is without Nick Woltemade, who has moved to Newcastle. In any case, we hope to see a high-scoring game, as is usually the case in matches between these clubs, where the average total is 3.16 goals per game.
Match Prediction Freiburg vs Stuttgart: Total Over 2.5 Goals
Mainz vs Leipzig
The match between the 6th and 7th teams from last season at the "Mewa Arena" is one of the most intriguing of the round. Mainz unexpectedly lost to Köln in their home opener and shared points away with Wolfsburg in the second round. Meanwhile, Leipzig was dismantled by Bayern but showed signs of life in the second round with a victory over Heidenheim. However, the visitors have parted ways with another star, Xavi Simons, who transferred to Tottenham. With the departure of Xavi and Šeško, the attacking power of the "Bulls" might suffer. The head-to-head history is quite balanced, making it difficult to predict a winner, and the average goal total is high (3.71). Therefore, our prediction is clear.
Match Prediction Mainz vs Leipzig: Total Over 2.5 Goals
Bayern vs Hamburg
Bayern unsurprisingly started the season with victories in all competitions. However, in the last two matches, Kompany's team had to exert maximum effort to achieve results: in the German Cup, the Munich side squandered their lead but still managed to secure a win in added time, and in the league, they built a lead against Augsburg by the start of the second half but conceded two goals again. This indicates a certain loss of concentration. Hamburg returned to the Bundesliga with a draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach but lost to St. Pauli in the second round at home in the derby. Of course, no miracles are expected from the "Dinosaurs" in Munich.
Match Prediction Bayern vs Hamburg: Bayern to Win with Handicap (-2.5)
St. Pauli vs Augsburg
The "League Pirates" are proudly defending the club's honor in the elite. In the first round, the team didn't give up against Borussia and managed to come back from two goals down in a matter of minutes, and in the second, they secured three points in the "Hamburg derby" on the field of their principled rival. Augsburg, under the guidance of newly appointed coach Sandro Wagner, confidently defeated Freiburg in the first round and showed character in the second: scoring twice while trailing Bayern 0-3, but they couldn't manage a draw. In the upcoming game, we give a slight preference to the hosts for their resilience and fighting spirit.
Match Prediction St. Pauli vs Augsburg: St. Pauli not loses
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs Werder
The third round concludes with teams from whom more is expected: Borussia has only one point after two rounds, as does Werder. The "Foals" first shared points at home with the newcomer, Hamburg, and then lost to Stuttgart. Werder's opponents were no easier: a crushing defeat by Eintracht in Frankfurt, but they managed to heroically draw at home with Bayer. It's possible that neither club will earn three points in this match either. However, the previous seven encounters have shown that the teams regularly find the back of the net against each other, with an average total of 3.75 goals.
