Bundesliga: Weekend preview with best bets and odds for matches on Sunday May 31
The Bundesliga action continues on Sunday with two games. Tom Carnduff has a best bet in both games at prices of 23/10 and 11/4.
Recommended bets
1pt Sebastian Andersson to score anytime in Borussia Monchengladbach v Union Berlin at 11/4
1pt Borussia Dortmund (-2 handicap) to beat Paderborn at 23/10
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Borussia Monchengladbach v Union Berlin
Borussia Monchengladbach's bid to be the 'best of the rest' suffered from a poor couple of results but they are still firmly in the running to secure a top-four spot at the end of the season.
They failed to capitalise on Bayer Leverkusen dropping points in midweek as they were held by struggling Werder Bremen but they will be targeting this game for victory. Union Berlin have struggled since the break and they have been dragged back into the relegation battle having seemingly been safe just two weeks ago.
The Asian Handicap has the hosts at -1 which demonstrates that the money is behind a home victory. It's why the best price available on Monchengladbach securing all three points is 8/15. Even with their bad results it's still worth backing the home side to win.
Union have suffered from Sebastian Andersson's lack of goals. He struggled for chances in their 4-0 hammering by Hertha Berlin and his goalless run now stands at three games. Although to his credit he did manage two shots on target in their midweek fixture against Mainz.
He did nearly net a late winner in that contest too. Perhaps his header from a Christopher Trimmel free-kick in the final moments suggest that Union are starting to find their attacking stride once again. That has proven to be a very effective method for goals throughout the campaign and this time they were denied by the goalkeeper.
It must also be remembered that he was only fit enough for an appearance from the bench in their first game back against Bayern Munich. That's given him less time to shake off the rust and the game against Mainz was a better indication that he is starting to find his feet once again.
Andersson's aerial presence is known throughout the Bundesliga as he dominates the battles in the air on a regular basis. The nine won against Mainz also suggest that he is starting to get back to his best once again. Monchengladbach will already be aware of this, given how he posted five shots and scored a close range header in their previous meeting.
Comparing Union's average of 27.9 aerial battles won per game and Monchengladbach's 17.5 shows which way that duel should go on Sunday - although you could say that for the majority of the Bundesliga. With the hosts so heavily fancied to win, the value is in looking to the Union striker to net anytime at 11/4.
Andersson had five shots on target in their first meeting and there's 7/1 available that he gets three. It won't be a game where he will get plenty of opportunities again, but he's starting to demonstrate that he is getting back to his best and may only need one to convert.
I'd have little hesitation in backing the hosts to win here with a margin too, but as is the case with many Bundesliga games being played behind closed doors, there is serious appeal in backing goals with the average sitting high in the three gameweeks since its return.
Score prediction: Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 Union Berlin (Sky Bet odds: 11/1)
Paderborn v Borussia Dortmund
While football as we know it has changed, this point in the season has provided the familiar feel of Borussia Dortmund having to regroup following a failed title charge. Their 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich last week has all-but-ended the hopes of finishing their wait for Bundesliga glory.
This fluid Dortmund team with so much talent in attack failed to rise to the occasion. They had opportunities to score, especially in the first-half, but it just wasn't clicking and it was once again a case of a Lucien Favre side looking pretty but having nothing to show for it at the end.
This week does present them with the ideal opportunity to return to winning ways as they take on the Bundesliga's basement club. Paderborn may have seen three draws since the break but they remain nine points away from safety and relegation looks a very, very likely outcome.
It'll provide no surprise to learn that the money is firmly behind a Dortmund victory. They're at -1.5 on the Asian Handicap while the total line is on the 3.25 mark. It should be a game that has an away win with goals in it. Dortmund have already demonstrated throughout the season that they are not afraid to put the struggling sides to the sword.
Even without the prolific Erling Haaland, Dortmund are still capable of netting goals as they are likely to go with a forward three of Julian Brandt, Thorgan Hazard and Jadon Sancho. They have seen plenty of goal involvement and won't be daunted by the prospect of playing without the recognised striker.
Sancho and Hazard are each floating around the even money mark for a goal anytime. This Dortmund front line has been backed to get onto the scoresheet and they should hit the net on multiple occasions as they did prior to Haaland's January arrival.
Paderborn's problems in front of goal have been evident since the break. Only once have they go above 1.0 xG in their three contests and have indeed only scored once - that coming after a defensive mistake from Hoffenheim.
The lack of a crowd is certainly going to be more beneficial to Dortmund than Paderborn. So much has been made of games being played behind closed doors and those that have potentially suffered the most are the teams at the bottom of the table who have welcomed those at the top. That trend should continue here.
There's little interest in delving into those goalscorer markets given the lack of value on offer and instead it's worth taking the 23/10 general price on Dortmund on the -2 handicap.
Dortmund can't do much about their current situation now. The Bundesliga title is out of their grasp and they need a major slip-up from Bayern if they are to somehow go on and win it. Their focus should now be on becoming 'the best of the rest' and securing second spot - that will start with victory over Paderborn.
Score prediction: Paderborn 0-3 Borussia Dortmund (Sky Bet odds: 8/1)
Best bet: Borussia Dortmund (-2 handicap) to beat Paderborn at 23/10
EXCLUSIVE SPORTING LIFE PRICE BOOST: Achraf Hakimi to score anytime - now 4/1
Odds correct at 1430 BST (28/05/20)
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