Breaking down picks for DraftKings free Bundesliga pool

The Bundesliga is set to play games on May 16th, marking the first competitive action since it shut down amid the COVID-19 pandemic. DraftKings Sportsbook has a free-to-play pool going with $1,000 up for grabs. Whoever predicts the results of this weekend’s Bundesliga games most accurately will take home all the prize money. We break down the best picks here.

Borussia Dortmund - FC Schalke 04 match Result

I’ll give the edge to Dortmund in this one. It was riding a four-game winning streak before the Bundesliga season got postponed and has already tied Schalke at VELTINS-Arena. The league’s second place team has a good chance to win back on its home turf.

Borussia Dortmund - FC Schalke 04: Both Teams to Score (Yes or No)

Schalke is sixth in the standings but has one of the Bundesliga’s less productive offenses. Dortmund has a plethora of top 10 goal scorers and assist men. A 1-0 or 2-0 score line in Dortmund’s favor seems most likely.

Borussia Dortmund - FC Schalke 04: First Goal Scorer

• Jadon Sancho
• Erling Braut Haaland
• Thorgan Hazard
• Mario Gotze
• Anchraf Hakimi
• Any other player/No goals scored

Dortmund has too much offensive firepower to not bet on them scoring first, but picking the player who does it will be tricky. Jadon Sancho is the obvious choice as the team’s top scorer, but Marco Reus is a dark horse and is reportedly targeting a May return after suffering a muscle injury in February. I think betting on any other bet is the safe play here, but keeping an eye on Reus’ health will be key.

RB Leipzig - SC Freiburg: Match Result

Leipzig is favored at -335 in this one for good reason. It has the Bundesliga’s second best scorer in Timo Werner and is vying for the top spot in the league. Even though they lost to Freiburg 2-1 earlier this season, I don’t see the same happening again.

RB Leipzig - SC Freiburg: Both Teams to Score (Yes or No)

Leipzig has given up fewer goals (26) than any other team in the Bundesliga. The’ve held opposing teams scoreless for in eight games this season and have the talent to maintain effectiveness despite coming off a long break. No is the bet.

RB Leipzig - SC Freiburg: First Goal Scorer

• Timo Werner
• Yussuf Poulsen
• Patrik Schick
• Dani Olmo
• Marcel Sabitzer
• Any Other Player/No Goals Scored

Werner is the most consistent scorer in this group and powers his team’s offense. Sabitzer is a sleeper, but I’d stick with Werner here.

FC Augsburg - VfL Wolfsburg: Match Result

Only one team has given up more than the 52 goals Augsburg’s defense has. Wolfsburg also has one of the more dominant defenses in the Bundesliga. Wolfsburg isn’t great at scoring, but its defense can help it come out on top in a grinder.

FC Augsburg - VfL Wolfsburg: Both Teams to Score

Wolfsburg’s sturdy back line should hold against Augsburg. I expect the seventh place team to shut out a lesser opponent that they tied earlier this year.

Fortuna Dusseldorf - SC Paderborn 07: Match Result

Paderborn is last on the table, but Dusseldorf is only two spots ahead. Even though Dusseldorf is favored at +114, I’d bet on Paderborn to sweep the season series after winning 2-0 earlier this year.

Fortuna Dusseldorf - SC Paderborn 07: Both Teams to Score (Yes or No)

Both these teams are scraping the bottom of the barrel in the the league standings. Each side gives up a ton of goals and struggles to score. I’d be on both teams making the net bulge because of the poor defense.

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