One team from Schalke, Stuttgart or Bochum will finish 17th and join Hertha Berlin in the automatic relegation spots, while the relegation play-off spot will be contested by those three sides plus Augsburg, who are safe from automatic demotion. Hertha Berlin’s fate was sealed when their fellow relegation rivals Bochum equalised in injury time to send Hertha back to the Bundesliga’s second tier for next season. The final automatic relegation spot is currently occupied by Schalke, but Bochum or Stuttgart are both at threat of dropping down into 17th should Schalke better their results. Schalke have the toughest task on paper. Never mind the fact that they are in the lowest position of the four teams, they face a daunting away trip to Red Bull Leipzig, who are coming off the back of a 3-1 win away at Bayern Munich. Suggested bet: RB Leipzig -1.5 Asian handicap
Thomas Reis will know that his side need a minor miracle to survive, the first part of which is to beat Leipzig who no longer have anything to play for, which could work in Schalke’s favour. In terms of betting, Schalke’s game at Leipzig particularly catches the eye. Schalke must win that game no matter what and that is likely to provide spaces for Leipzig on the counter attack. Schalke usually sit compact in a low block but in this game this is less of an option, while Leipzig have some of the best counter-attacking players in the league, with Nkunku and Timo Werner particularly potent in fast break situations. Sadly for Schalke, Leipzig should win this game comfortably. Stuttgart will have welcomed their home game against Hoffenheim, who have already secured their survival in what has been an appalling season by their standards. Suggested bet: Stuttgart vs Hoffenheim Over 3.5 goals
Stuttgart have only lost once since Sebastian Hoeness took the reins, and his impact has been monumental, giving Stuttgart every confidence of getting the three points here to secure survival.
That said, Stuttgart appear to be priced too short at 4/7 despite their clear motivation, although Hoffenheim’s defence cannot be trusted. Both sides are very likely to score and Over 3.25 Goals appeals at even money, or even Over 3.5 for a bolder bet.
Serhou Guirassy has scored in four of his last five matches for Stuttgart, a price of 6/5 to net anytime seems a solid option considering Stuttgart must show attacking intent. Suggested bet: Serhou Guirassy to score at any time
Bochum are also fortunate enough to have a home game, but they will face a dangerous Bayer Leverkusen side who will feel this is a must-win game for them also. Leverkusen currently occupy the final Europa League place with a one-point lead over seventh-placed Wolfsburg, so manager Xabi Alonso will not allow his player to leave anything to chance. In better news for Bochum, their opponents will be without the influential Kerem Demirbay in midfield, while Piero Hincapie is also suspended and will be unavailable in defence. Bochum have been dependent on their home form all season with seven of their nine wins coming at the Ruhrstadion, so they need one last big performance to get over the line. Augsburg have somehow allowed themselves to be dragged into the final day drama, although realistically their only threat is 16th place which is the relegation play-off spot. They will be frustrated they cannot relax on the final day, although a point away at Borussia Monchengladbach would be enough to guarantee safety. It is also unlikely that both Bochum and Stuttgart get the wins required to drop Augsburg into the play-off spot, but nevertheless Augsburg will know they cannot rely on favours from other sides. Augsburg are fortunate they have such a superior goal difference to Schalke, as their 15-goal differential is what realistically rules them out from the possibility of automatic relegation. Gladbach have nothing to play for but have enough quality in their squad to be favourites in their final home game. Felix Uduokhai was shown a red card in Augsburg’s 3-0 defeat to Dortmund, so he is suspended for this one. Paul Bathurst provides football tips as Soccer Sharp on Tipstrr
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