Bundesliga Betting: Kloppo's Dortmund to continue winning run

BVB coach Jurgen Klopp is a happy chap, and why not?

Borussia Dortmund produced a stunning display against Arsenal in midweek, and in his latest Bundesliga preview, Kevin Hatchard predicts they'll be victorious once again at Mainz.

Mainz v Borussia Dortmund
Saturday September 20, 17:30
Live on BT Sport 1

After an uncertain start to the campaign, which has been set against an all too familiar backdrop of injury problems, Borussia Dortmund finally clicked into top gear in midweek. Their 2-0 Champions League win over Arsenal was the perfect example of all that is good about coach Jurgen Klopp's playing philosophy. Dortmund pressed the Gunners relentlessly (they collectively ran 11km more than their English opponents), and when they attacked, they did so with pace and in numbers. Had some of the finishing been a bit more clinical, Dortmund could've dished out a thumping.

That victory came hot on the heels of Dortmund's most convincing league win of the season, as Freiburg were dismissed 3-1 at Signal Iduna Park. Returning hero Shinji Kagawa took centre stage with a goal and an assist, and I'm confident he'll continue to make an impact for BVB as the season progresses. Another man who may start to contribute regularly is Italian striker Ciro Immobile. He netted his first competitive goal for the club against Arsenal, and looked like he's finally starting to understand what Klopp wants from him.

Mainz finally picked up their first win under new coach Kasper Hjulmand last weekend, as they won 3-1` at Hertha Berlin. While the scoreline looks convincing, the performance was anything but, and I still think Mainz will struggle this term. A double from striker Shinji Okazaki made him the highest-scoring Japanese player in Bundesliga history, and he is far and away the side's biggest attacking threat. He will have support on Saturday from forward Jonas Hofmann, who is on loan from Dortmund.

Dortmund have won their last three matches in all competitions, and Opta tell us their recent record against Mainz is outstanding. Klopps' boys have beaten his old club Mainz (he played for them and managed them) in each of their last six meetings. With Mainz still finding their feet under a new coach, and Dortmund showing they can still win without a host of key players (Reus, Hummels, Blaszczykowski and Sahin are all out), I'm happy to back the away side.

Recommended Bet

Back Borussia Dortmund -1.0 on the Asian Handicap at 2.0811/10 (best bet)

Hamburg v Bayern Munich
Saturday September 20, 14:30

The chaos at Hamburg continues, and another failed manager lies prone on the scrapheap. At this rate, the ex-HSV managers' support group will have to book out the entire floor of a hotel for their next meeting. Mirko Slomka was given his marching orders after taking just one point from the first three games of the season, and while the coach's record was undoubtedly poor (Opta says HSV collected just 0.75 points per match while he was at the helm) it seems strange to give him a new group of players and then jettison him before he can get the team to gel. Why not sack him in the summer?

After winning his first eight games of the season with the U23 side, Joseph Zinnbauer has been temporarily given the reins. Zinnbauer is an intriguing character - he made a fortune as an entrepreneur, while still turning out as a player in the third division.

Having failed to score a single goal in three Bundesliga games, the last thing HSV need is to come up against the champions Bayern Munich. The Bavarians were somewhat fortunate to beat a determined Manchester City 1-0 in the Champions League, but they are looking more comfortable defensively than they have in a while. Xabi Alonso has been a steadying presence in midfield, with accurate passing and good organisational skills to the fore.

Stretching back into last season, the Opta stats make grim reading for Hamburg fans. HSV have picked up a single point from their last eight league games, they are without a win in their last 11 competitive matches (their worst run since 2006), and they have lost their last five matches against Bayern Munich.

Hamburg made some good signings over the summer but they haven't had a chance to bed down, and that assimilation won't happen against Bayern. Pep Guardiola's men have kept back-to-back clean sheets, and against a team that isn't scoring goals and is low on confidence, they are a big price to win to nil at 2.3811/8. If you want a Cash Out option, I would back Bayern 2-0 at 8.415/2 and 3-0 at 10.5n/a in the Correct Score market.

Recommended Bet

Back Bayern Munich to win to nil at 2.3811/8

Schalke v Eintracht Frankfurt
Saturday September 20, 14:30

Something extraordinary happened at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, something no reasonable person could've expected. Having gone a goal down after 11 minutes against Chelsea in the Champions League, and survived scare after scare as the West Londoners looked for a second goal, Schalke found some backbone. They grabbed a fine equaliser through Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, and the belief and discipline that was so sorely lacking in Sunday's abject 4-1 defeat at Borussia Monchengladbach suddenly returned. Julian Draxler gave one of his best performances of the year, although that's not saying much after a big dip in form.

Schalke must now build on that 1-1 draw if embattled coach Jens Keller is to keep his job (he deserves credit for showing an excellent motivational video to the team before the Chelsea match), and a home game against Eintracht Frankfurt is a good opportunity to do that. The Royal Blues have only played one home game, and they looked good in a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich. Schalke are generally much better at home than they are on their travels, and they have won 10 of their last 13 Bundesliga home games.

Keller's men also have an excellent home record against Eintracht Frankfurt - they have won seven and drawn four of the teams' last 11 meetings in Gelsenkirchen, and overall they have lost just one of their last 16 games against the Eagles.

Eintracht Frankfurt have made a patchy start to life under new coach Thomas Schaaf, with a 1-0 win over Freiburg, a battling 2-2 draw at Wolfsburg, and a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Augsburg. It will take a while for the side to settle down as Schaaf tries to make them more attacking, and I think this game comes too early in the season for them.

Schalke's problems are far from solved, but at least the players have shown they are willing to fight for Keller. This should be a comfortable home win.

Recommended Bet

Back Schalke -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at 2.56/4

Kevin will be commentating on Bundesliga games throughout the season for TuneIn and talkSPORT, and this Sunday he is covering FC Cologne v Borussia Monchengladbach. You can follow him on Twitter @kevinhatchard for details

2014/15 Bundesliga P/L (1pt per bet)

Points Staked: 12

Points Returned: 13.27

P/L: +1.27 points