The Bundesliga persists: Are Bayern Munich still meeting the predictions of the betting odds?
The Bundesliga's winter hiatus is over. Tonight, Bayern Munich goes head-to-head with Hoffenheim, aiming to narrow the gap on winter leaders Bayer Leverkusen. Despite theinterruption in games, sports betting platforms have revised their odds. They've clearly taken a stand on both the championship and relegation contenders.
Bayern stands strong as bookmakers' favorite
Bayern Munich has reigned as Bundesliga champions for 11 consecutive years. Breaking this streak at the start of the season, Bayern now trails Bayer Leverkusen by 4 points, having played one fewer game.
Regardless of missing the winter champion title, bookmakers regard Munich as the front-runner for the championship. The best current odds hover around 1.35. If Leverkusen hopes to break its winless streak and claim the championship, bookmakers offer odds of approximately 3.25.
Individuals who bet on Leverkusen to win the championship before the season can now utilize the cashout feature at certain sports betting platforms. With the opening-day odds around 30, several bookmakers might attempt to buy back the bet slips.
Leverkusen must stay vigilant
Midfielder Jonas Hofmann believes Leverkusen has the potential to unseat Bayern after 11 years and challenged the Bavarians in an interview with BILD:
"It's critical for us to secure our position and maintain this top spot. [...] It's about not letting too much time pass before we get back in the groove. – Jonas Hofmann, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, source: BILD"
However, Leverkusen fans and players should be cautioned: In the 2018/19 season, Bayern claimed back a 9-point gap from Borussia Dortmund. Even RB Leipzig lost 16 points to Bayern in the second half of the 2019/20 season as interim autumn champions.
Last season, Dortmund had the opportunity to secure the championship on the final day but ultimately came up short. The competition will certainly remain thrilling until the end.
Why have the odds shifted during the winter break?
Most bookmakers accept wagers on single matches well in advance. However, the likelihood of the outcome can be influenced by factors that emerge either shortly or long before kick-off, resulting in dynamic odds.
Wagers on seasonal champions or top scorers also change, even when the Bundesliga isn't in play. For instance, Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface's injury led bookmakers to reassess Leverkusen's chances of winning the championship as less likely. Boniface's odds for the top scorer title also increased due to his reduced number of games this season.
There's no ideal moment to place a sports bet, but it's essential to keep in mind that long-term wagers may not account for all the factors that affect the odds just before kick-off.
The relegation fight will also be intense
Currently, Mainz, Cologne, and Darmstadt occupy the bottom three spots with 10 points each. This poor performance prompted bookmakers to consider only eight teams as potential relegation candidates.
Those considering a wager here should note that some bookmakers include relegation via the playoffs, while others cancel the bet if a team reaches 16th place.
Darmstadt is currently viewed as having the least chance of avoiding relegation. The odds offered by betting platforms hover at around 3.6. On the other hand, Berlin, who struggled initially, is now considered less likely to be relegated.
As ever, the truth lies on the field. Tonight at 20:30, the action resumes, and we'll see if the bookmakers have accurately identified the trends.
Even during the Bundesliga's winter hiatus, online casinos in Germany have revised their odds for the championship contenders. Despite Bayern Munich trailing Bayer Leverkusen by a few points, many online casinos still favor Bayern with favorable odds.
The winter break has also influenced the odds for predictions about the relegation fight. Online casinos in Germany consider Mainz, Cologne, and Darmstadt as the most likely teams to face relegation, but some players might find value in betting on teams like Berlin, who have shown improvement.
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