Bundesliga Matchday 1 preview & free betting picks

The 2024-25 Bundesliga season begins this weekend with several exciting matches lined up. Here are our free soccer betting tips for Matchday 1 of the German top-flight.

Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen

Friday, August 23 – 8:30pm CEST – BORUSSIA-PARK

Buzzing after lifting the German Supercup trophy last Saturday, Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen look set to begin their title defence with a win over Borussia Monchengladbach, who they convincingly beat at Borussia-Park last season.

FC Augsburg v Werder Bremen

Saturday, August 24 – 3:30pm CEST – WWK ARENA

Though away from home, Werder Bremen could squeeze a win against Augsburg this weekend. Bremen did the double on them last season and finished three points higher on the Bundesliga table.

TSG Hoffenheim v Holstein Kiel

Saturday, August 24 – 3:30pm CEST – WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar Arena

There shouldn’t be any surprises when Hoffenheim play host to Bundesliga newcomers Holstein Kiel. Runaway winners when the sides met three years ago in the German Cup, Hoffenheim should comfortably avoid an opening-day upset.

FSV Mainz v Union Berlin

Saturday, August 24 – 3:30pm CEST – MEWA Arena

Separated by two points last season, Mainz will fancy their chances at home against Union Berlin, who survived relegation by goal difference. Although the hosts struggled in this matchup last term, they should be the better side this time around.

RB Leipzig v VfL Bochum

Saturday, August 24 – 3:30pm CEST – Leipzig Stadium

Champions League contestants RB Leipzig are overwhelming favourites against VfL Bochum, who were only spared the drop after winning the relation playoff. Online bookmakers are paying -163.93 for Leipzig’s Lois Openda, the third-leading goalscorer last season, to strike against Bochum.

SC Freiburg v VfB Stuttgart

Saturday, August 24 – 3:30pm CEST – Europa-Park Stadion

Runners-up last season, Stuttgart will look to launch another impressive campaign on their trip to Freiburg. The hosts, who finished 10th in 2023-24, could struggle against a Stuttgart side that completed the double over them in the last campaign.

Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt

Saturday, August 24 – 6:30pm CEST – Signal Iduna Park

Borussia Dortmund secured Champions League football after finishing fifth in the Bundesliga, one place ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt. Dortmund took four points from a possible six when these teams played last season, and as they have won five of their last six meetings, the hosts should be too good again.

VfL Wolfsburg v Bayern Munich

Sunday, August 25 – 3:30pm CEST – Volkswagen Arena

After failing to win the Bundesliga title for the first time in 12 years, Bayern Munich are short-priced favourites to reclaim their crown at -181.82 with top soccer betting sites. On the scoresheet against Wolfsburg last season, Harry Kane — last season’s Golden Boot winner — has a great chance of scoring this weekend.

St. Pauli v FC Heidenheim

Sunday, August 25 – 5:30pm CEST – Millerntor-Stadion

Returning to top-flight football after a 13-year hiatus, St. Pauli host Heidenheim, who finished eighth last season. Impressive in their pre-season and victorious in the first round of the German Cup, expect St. Pauli to offer stern resistance.

Sports betting picks