Wolfsburg couldn’t have asked for a better start to 2023. Wins against Freiburg and Hertha Berlin, VfL have scored 11 and conceded zero to start the year. After being 17th in the Bundesliga in late September, Wolfsburg now sit just seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich. A remarkable turnaround. VfL were 3-0 up against European rivals Freiburg, who were second at the time, after just 37 minutes – Jonas Wind ended up scoring a brace and VfL ended up 6-0 winners.

Against Freiburg, Wolfsburg created just 8 chances, 6 of which were converted. A front three of Jakub Kaminski, Patrick Wimmer and Jonas Wind have created a level of understanding that makes them a deadly force in the Bundesliga. Against Hertha Berlin last weekend, it was a similar story. VfL created 9 chances and converted 4. Matthias Svanberg replaced Felix Nmecha in midfield and VfL appear to be at a stage now where Nico Kovac can change his starting XI but players know the system and work together in tandem. VfL are also out-performing their xG by a considerable margin, scoring 35 Bundesliga goals from an xG of 28.

Meanwhile you never quite know what you’re going to get with Werder Bremen. They have Niclas Fullkrug, the highest scoring German in European football this season, but their performances have been hit and miss. This season will be remembered for their remarkable comeback against Borussia Dortmund, overturning a 2-0 deficit with 11 minutes remaining, and their 5-1 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach, but they’ve lost their last four Bundesliga games.

Bremen started 2023 with a 7-1 defeat against Cologne where they found themselves 5-0 down in the opening 36 minutes, and last week they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Union Berlin despite being in the lead. Operating in a 5-3-2, their defence lacks confidence ahead of an indecisive Jiri Pavlenka. Only Schalke (41) and Bochum (39) have conceded more goals than Werder Bremen (36) and against an in-form, free-scoring Wolfsburg side, this game is excellent value for Over 2.5 Goals.

Goals are unlikely to be high on the agenda when Troyes host Lens on Saturday. The visiting side can go joint top of the league with a win, and while they are deserving favourites to win this match, their price of 1.65 looks very short given that they have only won three of nine away fixtures in Ligue 1 this season. Troyes, meanwhile, have suffered only a couple of home losses.

Lens are typically a low-scoring side away from home. Their matches on the road have produced only 16 goals – fewer than two per game on average – and though two of their last three have wrought at least three strikes, these have been atypical fixtures against opponents who are used to playing in high-scoring games.

Troyes, meanwhile, do not tend to get drawn into many games that see lost of goals, although they did lose their last match 5-1 in Lille. At home, though, only one of their last five has produced at least three goals.

ESTAC did manage to make life complicated for Lens when they faced off in September but they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat away from home. The visitors are likely to record a similar type scoreline in this encounter, with them securing the win in a game with under 2.5 goals on offer a 3.75.

Given Lens’ relatively disappointing away record, simply backing against goals offers more value because this is a match that Troyes could conceivably take something from.

Arguably game of the weekend, Bayern Munich vs Eintracht Frankfurt takes the Bundesliga Topspiel. Just four points separate Julian Nagelsmann’s Bayern and the ever-impressive Eintracht. A win for the visitors would give them huge belief that they can challenge the Rekordmeister for the Bundesliga title come May. If it’s anything like the previous meeting, this should be an exciting game.

Bayern Munich are winless to start 2023 with draws against RB Leipzig and Cologne and it already feels as though there’s mounting pressure on Julian Nagelsmann to perform. Winning the Bundesliga is the bare minimum for a Bayern coach and the former Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig coach appears to be struggling. They’re no longer dominating games and teams now face Bayern with a belief that they can come away with at least a point.

Meanwhile, Eintracht Frankfurt boast one of the Bundesliga’s most impressive attacks this season. Only Bayern Munich (51) and RB Leipzig (37) have scored more than Eintracht (36) and with Randal Kolo Muani’s 6 goals and 11 assists in 16 league games, the 24-year-old comes into this clash full of confidence following his World Cup final endeavour with France. Alongside Kolo Muani is Daichi Kamada, Mario Gotze and Rafael Borre, which makes Oliver Glasner’s side one of the most dynamic in attack.

Eintracht Frankfurt have scored in five of their last six meetings across all competitions at the Allianz Arena and are creating an average of 7 chances per 90 this season. Bayern are averaging 3 goals per 90 and have goals in their squad with Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane, so this should make for an excellent game. Bayern have only failed to score in one Bundesliga game this season but Frankfurt will know this is an excellent chance for them to capitalise on. Expect goals at both ends.