Friday night football sees Freiburg involved again as they welcome Borussia Monchengladbach. Tom Carnduff has found value in the assists market.
Recommended bets
1pt Alassane Plea to assist 1+ goals at 10/3
1pt Marcus Thuram to assist 1+ goals at 10/3
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Freiburg v Borussia Monchengladbach (19:30 BST, BT Sport)
Freiburg are given the Friday treatment for the second consecutive week as they welcome top-four hopefuls Borussia Monchengladbach.
Gladbach were victorious over Union Berlin in their last encounter as a strong attacking performance helped them to wrap up all three points in a 4-1 win. For Freiburg, their poor form continued with a defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.
We should expect the trend of away teams winning to continue here given their contrasting fortunes. Monchengladbach will also be looking to capitalise on the fixture list handing Leverkusen a game against Bayern. There's a real possibility that they could be three points clear of fifth by close of play on Saturday.
Even with Breel Embolo on the sidelines through injury, Alassane Plea and Marcus Thuram have formed a great partnership which was on display during that victory over Union. They will be key players once again on Friday night.
Both hold a best price of 13/8 to score on and, despite three of Freiburg's four since the break seeing a low amount of goals scored, this Monchengladbach attack has made it an odds-on price that the over 2.5 margin is hit on Friday night.
Rather than take their goalscorer odds, it's worth giving serious consideration to either of Monchengladbach's forward duo being among the assists. Plea assisted both of Thuram's goals against Union while Thuram has eight assists throughout the course of the Bundesliga season.
In fact, Plea has been a provider alongside a goalscorer this side of the winter break. He's posted five goals and a further five assists - with more assists than goals in May.
The chemistry between the two is evident as they have the ability to read what the other wants to do. Thuram's first at the weekend saw the Monchengladbach forward lose his defender and create significant space in the box. Plea was aware of that; hitting a perfectly timed cross for the goal.
The second was slightly similar. Having won possession at the edge of the Union area, Plea picked up the ball and instantly looked to find his fellow striker. Thuram had moved clear of the defence and connected with Plea's driven cross at the back post.
Sky Bet have both players sitting on 10/3 for an assist in this contest and it's worth making a play on both as we search for another Bundesliga winner. This is a Freiburg defence who have failed to keep a clean sheet across their last eight games and they stand little chance of halting that run against this Monchengladbach attack.
The 5/6 currently available on an away victory here looks good value - especially when you factor in the Asian Handicap standing at -0.75 in their favour. The money is behind the away team trend continuing on Friday.
Freiburg will look to frustrate but Monchengladbach's quality should shine through. They've been a joy to watch throughout the season and, even without Embolo and Denis Zakaria, they are demonstrating that a return to the Champions League is a strong possibility.
We could even expect both Plea and Thuram to be on the scoresheet again. The duo are two of the Bundesliga's form players and are capable of exploiting a faltering Freiburg side who are seeing their hopes of European football fade as the weeks progress.
The focus is often on goalscorers but the real value in this game comes with the assists. A market that is often overlooked, but one which can't be ignored this time around given the 10/3 prices on offer.
Score prediction: Freiburg 0-2 Borussia Monchengladbach (Sky Bet odds: 9/1)
Best bet: Alassane Plea to assist 1+ goals at 10/3
Best bet: Marcus Thuram to assist 1+ goals at 10/3
EXCLUSIVE SPORTING LIFE PRICE BOOST: Marcus Thuram to score a brace - was 8/1, NOW 10/1
Odds correct at 1600 BST (03/06/20)
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