Betting round-up: Bayern to bounce back?
18/07/2012 11:15:00 AM
Bayern Munich are tipped to shake Dortmund's grasp on the Bundesliga trophy, but the reigning champions - chasing their third-straight title - will not roll over lightly
The bookies are tipping Bayern Munich to re-assert their authority on German football next season after their nightmare 2011-12 campaign, in which Germany's most famous football club finished runners-up in all three major competitions.
Bayern, who have won a record 21 Bundesliga titles, not only finished runners-up to Borussia Dortmund in the league last season but were humiliated in the DFB-Pokal final 5-2 by Dortmund.
They then completed their misery when they lost the final of the UEFA Champions League on home soil on penalties to Chelsea, after conceding a late equaliser during normal time.
But Bayern's season of disappointment in 2011-12 have not stopped the bookies from installing the Bavarian giants as the clear favourites to win the 2012-13 Bundesliga title, with the new campaign to start on August 23.
Online bookmakers Luxbet have opened Bayern as $1.77 favourites to win the title ahead of Dortmund at $2.60, with those two teams again expected to dominate the competition.
 |
BET |
OF THE |
DAY |
| BEST BET |
VALUE BET |
| Borussia Dortmund to win the 2012-13 Bundesliga title at $2.60 at Luxbet |
Bayer Leverkusen to win the 2012-13 Bundesliga title at $34 at Luxbet |
Dortmund clinched the title with 81 points in 2011-12, eight ahead of Bayern on 73 and Schalke a distant third on 64.
But Leverkusen could be the big improvers under new manager in former Liverpool captain Sami Hyypia and are certainly the best value in title betting.
It remains difficult, however, to see any teams bridging the gap on Dortmund and Bayern, who have both strengthened their squads already since last season.
Bayern in particular will be bolstered by the arrival of star striker Mario Mandzukic, who was one of the stars of Euro 2012 with three goals for Croatia.
And while Dortmund have lost Japanese playmaker Shinji Kawaga to Manchester United, the reigning champions have welcomed three top-class German players into their squad from rival clubs in strikers Marco Reus and Julian Schieber and midfielder Oliver Kirch.
They remain the team to beat next season, despite being listed as second favourites in title betting behind Bayern.
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