The Bundesliga returns after the international break with a number of teams looking to capitalise on good starts and make up for poor ones.

Augsburg v Bayer Leverkusen

Augsburg host Bayer Leverkusen for the only match on Friday under heavy pressure to get a win. The visitors have started the season looking in reasonably good shape while Augsburg look set to scrap for most of the season. Augsburg are 4/1 (Titan Bet) with Leverkusen 3/4 (888 Sport).

Bayern Munich v Frieburg

Bayern Munich host Freiburg for the first listed game on Saturday as the heavy favourites. Bayern Munich have looked very strong through the early matches of the season and will be determined to keep on winning. Freiburg on the other hand have nothing to lose. Bayern are 1/6 (Bet365) with Freiburg a massive 18/1 (Victor Chandler).

Borussia Dortmund v Hertha Berlin

Borussia Dortmund will fancy their chances of securing three points against Hertha Berlin. Dortmund are one of the in form club sides in Germany at the moment and they will want the momentum and confidence to stay high. The home side are 2/5 (Bet365) with Hertha 15/2 (Coral).

Borussia Monchengladbach v Kaiserslautern

Borussia Monchengladbach will not have it easy against Kaiserslautern who are playing with increasing confidence away from home. The home team have struggled defensively and Kaiserslautern will be looking to exploit the smallest gaps which appear. Monchengladbach are evens (William Hill) with Kaiserslautern a tempting 3/1 (Ladbrokes).

Mainz v Hoffenheim

Mainz 05 host Hoffenheim for one of the matches this weekend which is very difficult to call. Mainz have shown that they are capable of playing some good football but Hoffenheim are well known for their fearless attitude away from home. The home team are 6/5 (Blue Sq) with the away team 9/4 (Totesport).

Stuttgart v Hannover

Stuttgart will be looking for three points and a good home performance when they welcome Hannover 96 this Saturday. Stuttgart have always been one of the power houses of German football but they have slipped off the pace in recent years. Stuttgart are 10/11 (Blue Sq) and Hannover are 10/3 (Bet365, William Hill).

Werder Bremen v Hamburg

Werder Bremen take on Hamburg for the late kick off on Saturday. Werder Bremen have started the season well and look as though they could run Bayern Munich close this season. Werder Bremen are odds on at 8/13 (William Hill) with Hamburg 5/1 (Victor Chandler) to cause a big upset.

FC Koln v Nurnberg

The first match on Sunday sees FC Koln take on Nurnberg. Cologne are much better in front of their own fans but Nurnberg have looked like a very useful side so far this season. Koln are the slight favourites at 8/5 (Bet365) with Nurnberg 9/5 (Ladbrokes) to pick up an important three points.

Wolfsburg v Schalke

Wolfsburg play Schalke in the final game on Sunday which wraps up the round of Bundesliga football. Wolfsburg will fancy their chances against an inconsistent Schalke side that does not look as though it will repeat last season’s success. Wolfsburg are 8/5 (Blue Sq, William Hill) with Schalke 7/4 (Bet365).

There are few players of the quality of Numan, Amoruso, Nerlinger, Caniggia or Flo (yes, he scored 2 in Slovenia in 2001) in the Rangers side these days and their humbling Champions League exit at the hands of Malmo has left them desperately looking for financial solace in the Europa League. But their current record of just one win in 23 European matches makes for dreadful reading and means Ally McCoist’s men are impossible to back at 6/4 (Bet365, Betfred, Ladbrokes).

It’s been an unconvincing start to the season by the light blues and in Maribor they face the current league leaders in Slovenia. It’s been an unbeaten start with 4 wins from five but just 8 goals scored suggests we may not be in for a goalsfest. The Slovenians are 19/10 (888 Sport, Blue Sq) to take a first leg lead to Ibrox next week and on current form it might not be bad shout.

Additionally I’d be on it being a tight affair. McCoist talks of going there to score but make no mistake he’ll be adopting Walter Smith’s default Euro line-up of 4-5-1 with the main aim of keeping the door shut at the other end. A clean sheet would be considered a result and so with that mentality, backing Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 with Coral looks the bet of the night.

Selectabet’s Best Bets

• Maribor 19/10 (888 Sport, Blue Sq)
• Under 2.5 goals 4/5 (Coral)

Live on Betfair livestreaming. Kick off Friday 7:30pm

Champions Borussia Dortmund begin their title defence live on Betfair this Friday night at home to Hamburg and going by the bookies they will have a tough time keeping greedy Munich hands off the trophy.

The 22 times winners are odds on to take the Bundesliga and following the captures of Neuer, Boateng and Rafinha it would be a brave man who bet against the Bavarians. Dortmund, however, have finally rekindled some of the form of the 90s through a hard-working collective that has suffered little disruption over the summer, Labrokes are offering 5/1 that the squad can make it back-to-back Bundesligas.

The one notable departure is Nuri Sahin, who will be found jostling for a place on the Real Madrid bench for the new season. The talented playmaker was often the spark in Dortmund’s side but new addition Ilkay Gundogan along with Mario Gotze can cause problems to lumbering Bundesliga defenders. Added to that, Shinji Kagawa, much missed in the second half of last season will be back after recovering from a broken foot before summer.

It should be a fairly comfortable opener for the home side with Hamburg having turned into a Chelsea feeder club over the summer. Underfed and underplayed, Goekhan Toere, Jacopa Sala, Michael Mancienne and Jeffrey Bruma have all swapped London for a bite of Hamburger and whilst Toere and Sala may be mere garnish, Mancienne and Bruma could be a little tastier but should not cause too many problems for Klopp’s side.

Dortmund are settled and strong, particularly at home where they lost just once last year.

Barrios is likely to miss the match with an injury picked up in the Copa America but Kagawa and Lewandowski were both on target in the 3-0 cup win over Sandhausen. Kagawa is the value bet to find the net again; he scored 8 in 18 before his injury at the start of last year and will be well rested for the new season. The Japanese international is an incredible 10/1 to bag the opener and 3/1 to score anytime with Bet365. Given other bookies have him at 4s and evens they are highly generous odds to be taken advantage of.

The Borussians have won the last three at home to Hamburg without conceding and I fancy a repeat performance this time around, especially at odds of 7/4 with Blue Sq.

Victor Chandler also have a great offer where they’ll give you a free £5 correct score bet on any of this weekend’s Bundesliga matches if you place one on Dortmund’s game. A 2-0 home win looks likely at 13/2 with Kagawa to bag one of those.

You can watch the match live on Betfair this Friday at 7.30. If you don’t already have one, simply open an account whilst taking advantage of the welcome bonus ranging from £10 – £1000, log in and access the site’s livestreaming centre.

Recommended:

• Dortmund to win to nil (7/4 Blue Sq)
• Shinji Kagawa to score anytime (3/1 Bet365)*
• Dortmund 2-0 (13/2 Victor Chandler)**

*Victor Chandler will double your first goalscorer odds if the player goes on to score twice. Kagawa is 9/1 to score first and 13/5 anytime there.

**Place a correct score bet of £5 or more and get another free £5 correct score bet on any other Bundesliga match this weekend

Amidst the cheers and processions Big Sam will be watching on as West Ham learn to play the Sam way by jumping on the shoulders, heads and any other body parts of visiting Cardiff. The Hammers are all set to finally live up to their name by spilling some blood and bringing some pain, in the rough and tumble world of the Championship that makes them the bookies favourites at 9/2 with Totesport.

Staying in the realm of fallen Premiership managers, Sven has been building a mini-army at Leicester City and with nine new recruits already, including the likes of Paul Kochesky, David Nugent, Michael Johnson and Kasper Schmeichel world domination can’t be far off.

The bruising backline of Danns, Mills, St. Ledger and Pantsil will give Sam’s boys a run for their money and they are also quoted at 9/2. The foxes have to be favoured over a West Ham side who were so utterly inept at every turn last season but too many new recruits may well spoil the Premiership broth.

Still unable to escape from the ex-Premiership sheepskin wearers, Steve McLaren is at Forest (14/1 Blue Sq), Chris Hughton is set to become Birmingham (16/1 Bet365) boss and Ian Holloway is still banging on about how he was once in the limelight down on Blackpool (20/1 Paddy Power) pier.

Holloway faces a tough job to rekindle the plucky spirit of his seasiders with DJ Campbell set to jump the sunken ship already deserted by Charlie Adam and David Vaughan. Stragglers, Barry Ferguson and Kevin Phillips from the HMS Birmingham have climbed aboard and by the time Captain Chris Hughton gets on deck only rats and scurvy will be left on that vessel.

Cardiff can give a good indication to their promotion credentials in the opener at Upton Park. With Bothroyd, Burke, Chopra and Bellamy departed along with boss Jones the odds are against new manager Malky Mackay’s side but useful additions in workaholics, Kenny Miller, Craig Conway, Earnshaw and Gunnarsson could make the Scot’s Welsh side the dark horses to defeat the English at 20/1 with Victor Chandler. An each way bet is definitely worth a shot given the club has made the playoffs in the last two years.

Place an each way bet on the Championship, League 1, League 2 or Blue Square Premier and if your selection fails to finish in the top 3 but makes the playoffs Victor Chandler will refund your stake. Given Cardiff’s impressive recent record of making the play-offs that is a very enticing offer.

Recommended:

• Cardiff to win Championship – Each Way (20/1 Victor Chandler) *

Each way bet pays 3 places at 1/4 odds and bet is refunded if club makes the play-offs

Both clubs have done well to get to this stage. Swansea have raised above pre-season predictions from the experts and finished the season in third place, while Reading had a tremendous finish to end the season fifth after fighting against relegation for most of the previous campaign.

Swansea will go into the game as favourites having finished above the Royals. But games like this are very difficult to predict, with so much at stake, and it’s a one-off occasion. It’s all about who performs well on the day who will come out on top.

The Swans are a joy to watch. They play a free-flowing attacking brand of football with boss Brendan Rodgers carrying on the good work of predecessors Roberto Martinez and Paulo Sousa in that aspect. They have two wingers who have pace to burn and plenty of skill to boot in Nathan Dyer, and my nomination for Championship player of the season Scott Sinclair. The former Chelsea man has thrived in his first full season of regular first-team football after several loan spells around a sparing few games at Stamford Bridge. He’ll pose the Reading defence plenty of problems on the big pitch at Wembley.

Reading boss Brian McDermott has done a fantastic job in his 16 months in charge. He took a side struggling at the bottom of the division into this lofty position and a chance to regain a place in the top flight after their relegation from the Premier League back in 2008. They have a striker in tremendous form in the shape of Irishman Shane Long who will be the main danger to the Swans. He’ll be looking to add to his current tally of 25 goals so far this season.

The Welsh side, as I mentioned earlier, are the favourites with the bookmakers. They can be backed at the best price of 17/10 (Paddy Power), with a Reading victory available at 9/5 (William Hill, 888 Sport) and the draw at 23/10 (general).

In the play-off finals so far this weekend, the lower placed team have come out on top, with promotion won by Stevenage and Peterborough in League Two and League One respectively. Is that an omen? Can Reading do it and make a treble for the underdog? They are an incredibly hard-working side and in the way the easily disposed of Cardiff City in the semi-final, there’s no reason why they cannot win this game.

However, they find themselves up against a hugely talented Swansea team who are full of confidence and in great form. Their attacking trio of Sinclair, Dyer and Chelsea loanee Fabio Borini are one of the best you will find at this level and are guaranteed to cause plenty of problems, and I think that this fire-power should edge the game in Swansea’s favour.

Scott Sinclair to bag the opening goal looks a good bet at 13/2 (Bet365), whilst I also fancy a 2-1 Swansea triumph which can be found at 11/1 with Paddy Power. It’s likely to be a tense occasion with so much at stake. But the majority of these clashes in recent years have produced some entertaining action. I expect this one to be no different.

Motherwell v Celtic

Scottish Cup Final. Kick off 3pm

With the English Premier League’s final round of fixtures taking place tomorrow the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park takes centre stage today.

Will it be Motherwell’s first piece of silverware since 1991 or will it be Neil Lennon’s first trophy as boss of the Hoops?

The bookies think there’s only one answer to that question and have Celtic as very short-priced favourites at 4/11 (Betfred, Blue Sq, Boyesports, Ladbrokes, William Hill) and ‘Well as big as 9/1 at VCBet to win in 90 minutes.

To win the cup Celtic are 1/4 (Blue Sq) but I can’t get my head round Motherwell being just 10/3 (Boylesports, Paddy Power, SkyBet). If you think the Steelemen will need extra-time (28/1 VCBet) or penalties (20/1 VCBet) then I’d suggest a split stake on those two outcomes.

Last week Motherwell were on the end of a 4-0 drubbing at Celtic Park but Stuart McCall will be making several changes to that shadow side today. McCall has taken the opportunity to rest much of his first-team as their SPL campaign has wound down in the last few weeks. Today will tell us whether that was the right tactic to employ or whether he should have kept the momentum going. Personally I think the latter.

The Motherwell fans will take confidence from their 2-0 win over Celtic back in February. However that was on their much maligned mudbath of a pitch, on a day where Charlie Mulgrew gift wrapped Motherwell a goal of a start. They’ll need another huge slice of luck if they’re to be victorious today on the expanses of the Hampden pitch.

I think it’ll be tight but Celtic should just edge it. Expect Motherwell to keep things tight for as long as possible. i like the look of more goals being scored in the second half at 11/10 (Coral).

With the firepower of Hooper, Commons Celtic have two likely match winners. Commons especially likes the Hampden pitch and he’s 9/2 (Paddy Power) to open the scoring. Hooper is 3/1 (Bet365, Ladbrokes). If you’re looking for an outside bet in this market then consider Daniel Majstorovic. The big Swedish centre half gets himself on the end of corners but so far has looked like his is shaped like a 50p piece but one of these days he’s going to get one on target. He’s 25/1 (Betfred, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power) to score first and could be a good each-way option.

Selectabet’s Best Bets

• Highest Scoring Half – Second Half 11/10 (Coral)
• D Majstorovic to score first e/w 25/1 (Betfred, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power)

The US PGA Tour hits Texas this week and as ever Bruce Robertson markes our card with some key contenders in the Crown Plaza Invitational.

Course: Colonial C.C.

Venue: Texas

Par: 70

Yards: 7,204

Field: 129

The PGA Tour moves back to Texas this week to the famous Colonial Country Club. It is a tree-lined course with small greens. There are only two par 5’s and if the weather stays fine, there should be a barrage of birdies as it is statistically one of the easier courses on tour.

Low scoring is essential this week and shot-making rather than power will be the key to success. Course management will allow accurate players off the tee to attack the pins and set up those birdie opportunities. Zach Johnson defends his title. The field is weak this year with Matt Kuchar the only player ranked in the world’s top ten.

No. 1 Zach Johnson 22/1 (Paddy Power)

Regular readers will know I don’t normally put up defending champions. However, Zach’s record here is incredible culminating in his win last year and three of his seven tour wins have come in Texas. I tipped him for The Players, where he finished tied 12^th and he followed that with a tied 6^th last week so he is clearly back in form. He is putting well and is sixth in driving accuracy – I can see him retaining his title this week.

No. 2 Jason Day 20/1 (Ladbrokes, Totesport)

What a season so far for the talented Aussie who is a member at Colonial and lives in Fort Worth. His form figures from Augusta are tied 2, 9, and sixth. He is ranked 4^th on The PGA tour and I have to admit he has exceeded my expectations that I had for him this season. He has also won in Texas before, and will simply be raring to go and on his home course.

No. 3 Sergio Garcia 35/1 (Bet365)

The tragic loss of Seve, a true legend in the game of golf, has touched everyone who knew him or watched him play golf. Time now for Sergio to move up a gear and I am expecting a big week from The Spaniard. A course winner here eleven years ago, he has put Colonial back on his schedule following form figures of 28th and twelfth last week. If the putts drop, Sergio will be near the top.

Others I like the look of this week are Brian Gay and Rory Sabbatini

Live on Channel 5. Kick off 7.45pm

Back in 2003 when Jose Mourinho delivered the UEFA Cup, his Porto side stood on the verge of greatness. That season they also won the Portuguese League and Cup, completing a memorable treble before embarking on an astonishing Champions League campaign which saw them crowned Kings of Europe just 12 months later.

Just 8 years on and André Villas-Boas’ side find themselves on the precipice of greatness once again. There are echoes of that Mourinho side in this current one. Arguably they’re ahead of schedule – their league form certainly suggests so. You see, they’ve not just won the league this term but they’ve blown away the opposition en route to becoming Portugal’s Invincibles – unbeaten all season. And all done with a style and panache that seems to produce goal after goal after goal.

73 in 30 league games, 36 in the Europa League, over 130 in all competitions. Impressive stuff. So can Braga stop them?

In a word, no.

Of course anything can happen in one-off games and some will point to the organised and steadfast Braga defence upon which their Europa League run has been built, especially at home. They conceded just 33 in the league, but even that is put into some perspective by the miserly 16 that Porto surrendered in their campaign.

The plucky underdogs would need to reverse recent form, they’ve not beaten Porto in over 2 years and this year lost 3-2 in Oporto and 2-0 at home to the champs. They’ve also been on the receiving end on both occasions the side have met in finals. So there’s little solace in the history books for coach Domingos Paciencia.

For a final Porto are a very short price, at best 1/2 on Betfair or and 2/5 in most places (Bet365, SkyBet, William Hill). unless you’ve got a stack of cash it’s a bit prohibitive. Braga might attract some money at 15/2 (Bet365, William) but anyone backing them must know something we don’t.

That said, there could still be value to be eked out of this fixture. Punters will no doubt be piling on to Hulk and Radamel Falcao who have notched 63 goals between them this term. Both are 9/2 to score first (Bet365, William Hill) but either are as likely as the other so it may be more prudent to back them each way or take William Hill’s 6/5 that they’ll score anytime in the 90 minutes.

My preferred bet for the night however does centre around Porto’s goals. The threat they have going forward would trouble many a Champions League side and I reckon they’ll overpower an admittedly well-organised Braga back-line. Therefore I’m gong with Porto to score in each half. Considering over 2.5 goals is the wrong side of evens (8/11 in places) I think 6/4 (VCBet) represents pretty good value in an otherwise difficult betting event.

Selectabet’s Best Bets

• Porto to score in each half 6/4 (VCBet)
• Hulk to score anytime 6/5 (William Hill)
• Porto 3 Braga 0 10/1 (Blue Sq)

FA Cup Final. Kick off: Saturday 3pm

I’ve been having trouble writing an article about the FA Cup final this year.

I don’t know if it’s because of the teams involved (not exactly mouthwatering) or maybe the fact that it’s been shunted to a ‘normal’ Saturday or maybe, it’s just that trying to find a betting angle on it doesn’t look too easy. But to say I’m apathetic towards it would be an understatement.

Whatever. I hope it’s a great day for all involved.

The natural reaction of most football fans would be that City ’should’ win the famous old trophy but outside the top 3 in the Premier League, City couldn’t have asked for tougher opponents. In fact, I’d almost think City would prefer to go into this game against better quality opposition than themselves and be classed underdogs.

The weight of favouritism will lay heavily on their shoulders. Never mind the anxiety that comes when you’re within touching distance of your first trophy in 35 years. If Stoke can keep things quiet for the first half hour I think they have a real chance.

After all they’ve shown in the last 6 games that they’re a match for Roberto Mancini’s side. The last 4 meetings have been drawn and each side has won one apiece. 1-1 has been the scoreline of choice on each of those four occasions and that can be backed at 15/2 with Betfair.

7/2 (Boylesports, Paddy Power, Totesport) looks a bit on the generous side for me if you fancy a bit of Stoke to win in the 90 minutes, certainly there’s little value in siding with City at a measly 10/11 (William Hill) – a price that would be more akin to the game being at Eastlands.

It looks like being a bit of a nervy affair but tactically I think Stoke have the players to spring a surprise. It may take them 120 minutes or more but in a game that’s far closer to call than the bookies would suggest 2/1 (Bet365, Paddy Power) on Tony Pulis’s side to lift the trophy looks a punt worth taking.

Selectabet’s Best Bets

• Stoke to win the FA Cup 2/1 (Bet365, Paddy Power)
• Correct score 1-1 15/2 (Betfair)
• Stoke to win on penalties 12/1 (Boylesports)

Despite finishing 5 points behind their Welsh opponents it’s Reading who go into the crucial two-legged play-off in the best form.

Brian McDermott’s side finished the season like a train, winning 9 out of their last 13 fixtures to finish in fifth position in the Championship – the same position that 6 previous play-off winners have qualified from.

But over all the bookies make Cardiff slight favourites to qualify for another play-off final. You can have 19/20 (Betfair) on the Bluebirds to qualify, whereas Reading are a best priced 1/1 (SkyBet) to reach Wembley.

On the night though it’s Reading who the bookies fancy will take a first-leg lead. They’re 11/10 (Betfred, Boylepsorts, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Totesport) to win tonight but it’s worth noting they’ve not beaten Cardiff the last three times they’ve came visiting. Cardiff’s recent away record should also be considered too, they won most games away from home (11) all season, almost as many as Reading won at home (12).

Cardiff at 11/4 (Bet365, Blue Sq, Betfred, Titan Bet) will appeal to some but there’s been too many draws in these fixtures (5 from 7) for me to side with either one of them.

Instead I’m going to for goals. I’m tempted with over 2.5, despite the 0-0 stalemate in last night’s other play-off semi-final. Both Reading and Cardiff were amongst the highest scorers in the division (77 & 76 respectively) and they also shipped a few too (51 & 54). There’s plenty of goals in both sides with the likes of Long and Bothroyd both enjoying good seasons so a few goals tonight might not be out of the question.

Bet365 go 21/10 on there being at least 3 goals tonight.

Selectabet’s best bet

• Over 2.5 goals 21/20 (Bet365)