Bundesliga Betting: Back the Wolves to feast on struggling Augsburg

Augsburg will miss veteran keeper Simon Jentzch
Augsburg beat Wolfsburg home and away last season, but Kevin Hatchard expects a reversal of fortune this weekend.
Augsburg vs Wolfsburg, Fri 19:30 BST, Live on Betfair Live Video
Match Odds: Augsburg 2.915/8, Wolfsburg 2.6413/8, the draw 3.55n/a
Before the season started I tipped Augsburg to finish in the bottom two at 2.588/5, and after two defeats they are now 2.3611/8 for the drop. Markus Weinzierl's side opened up with a 2-0 home defeat against newly-promoted Fortuna Dusseldorf, and were then swept aside 3-1 by Schalke in Gelsenkirchen.
On paper Augsburg have strengthened their attacking options with the signings of Aristide Bance and Knowledge Mushona, and while both players have looked dangerous, neither has shown enough composure in front of goal. Augsburg scored just 36 goals in 34 games last term, and I suspect they must improve their scoring rate to survive. At the other end of the pitch the Augsburg cause won't be helped by the loss of vastly experienced keeper Simon Jentzch, who has undergone finger surgery and will spend several weeks on the sidelines. Jentzch is one of seven FCA players who will miss Friday's match because of injury, a list that includes Wolfsburg loanee Koo Ja-Cheol.
Wolfsburg are still settling down after another flurry of transfer activity in the summer. Felix Magath's men were fortunate to win their opener 1-0 at Stuttgart, and they were shredded 4-0 at home by Hannover. That heavy derby defeat will have sounded alarm bells, but I still think there is huge potential in the Wolfsburg ranks. Once the new-look defence gels (three of the back-four against Hannover were new signings), they should be able to provide a platform for the attacking triumvirate of Diego, Ivica Olic and Bas Dost.
Augsburg beat Wolfsburg home and away last season, but Wolfsburg have almost a completely new team, while Augsburg have been weakened. Given Augsburg's injury problems and Wolfsburg's potential, I would back an away win at 2.68/5
Recommended Bet: Back Wolfsburg to win at 2.6413/8
Greuther Furth vs Schalke, Sat 17:30 BST
Match Odds: Greuther 4.216/5, Schalke 2.021/1, the draw 3.65n/a
Greuther Furth picked up their first ever Bundesliga victory before the international break, as they won 1-0 at Mainz. In truth Greuther were lucky - Felix Klaus' winner was heavily deflected, and keeper Max Grun rescued his side with some fine saves. While Mike Buskens's men will take confidence from that victory, Greuther Furth haven't made a convincing start. They were beaten 2-0 by 3.Liga side OFC Kickers in the German Cup, and in their Bundesliga opener they succumbed 3-0 to a Bayern Munich side that won at a canter.
Greuther Furth host another of the Bundesliga's big guns on Saturday, as Schalke come to town. Buskens will doubtless set his side up to pack midfield and hit on the counter, but I think Schalke have too much firepower for that to work. The Royal Blues looked bright in a 2-2 draw at Hannover, and then dismissed Augsburg 3-1. Coach Huub Stevens has kept faith with last season's team, keeping new signings Tranquillo Barnetta and Ibrahim Afellay in reserve. Dangerous Dutchman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar looks as sharp as ever, and has already bagged two Bundesliga goals.
Frankly I'm staggered that Schalke are 2.021/1 to win this game. They are far stronger man-for-man, and I've seen little to suggest that Greuther Furth can trouble them defensively. Take advantage of a more than generous price.
Recommended Bet: Back Schalke to win at 2.021/1
Hannover vs Werder Bremen, Sat 14:30 BST
Match Odds: Hannover 2.47/5, Werder 3.1511/5, the draw 3.613/5
Hannover have made a superb start. In the Europa League qualifiers they breezed past St Patrick's Athletic and Slask Wroclaw, and in the Bundesliga they battled to a 2-2 draw with Schalke before winning 4-0 at Wolfsburg. Forward Jan Schlaudraff is in the form of his life, Leon Andreasen has made a welcome return to midfield after struggling with a series of injuries for two years, and Hungarian recruit Szabolcs Huszti has hit the ground running (he set up all four goals in Wolfsburg.)
Hannover have scored a mind-boggling 27 goals in just seven games, conceding seven. Six of their matches have boasted Over 2.5 Goals, while five have featured Over 3.5 Goals.
Werder Bremen have made a curious start to the campaign. Thomas Schaaf's men lost at lower-division Preussen Munster in the German Cup, battled gamely in a 2-1 defeat at Borussia Dortmund, before securing a 2-0 derby success against a dreadful Hamburg side. I'm not convinced by Werder's defence (Sebastian Prodl is an accident waiting to happen), but they carry a genuine goal threat, with players like Eljero Elia, Marko Arnautovic and Nils Petersen.
It's tempting to back Hannover at 2.47/5, but given the attacking strengths of both sides the safer bet is to back Over 2.5 Goals at a chunky price of 1.738/11.
Recommended Bet: Back Over 2.5 Goals at 1.738/11