There are clear advantages to playing before a title rival.
But there can also be disadvantages, especially if a team does not come away with a win.
Borussia Dortmund (as well as RB Leipzig) is in that very position Saturday morning. The Black and Yellow will be one of the first five matches back after a two-month COVID-19 hiatus, and can cut the lead at the top of the Bundesliga table to just one point, before Bayern Munich’s game Sunday.
Dortmund’s game is tricky, against a sixth place Schalke 04 team fighting for a UEFA Europa League spot.
Dortmund has to keep winning to set up a monster showdown in 10 days with Bayern, so I can’t see anything other than a win here. Will Dortmund keep its nerve?
All lines from Parx Online Casino — Check Fubo.tv for channel listings
GERMANY BUNDESLIGA
Borussia Dortmund (-200) vs. FC Schalke 04 (+480), draw (+340), 9:30 a.m. EDT (FS1 and Fubo.tv)
THE PICKS:
Borussia Dortmund -1 Asian handicap (-120) OR -0.75 (-159)
Over 2.75 goals (-127)
Erling Haaland to score (-177)
Parlay, Dortmund ML (-200), Leipzig ML (-335), Bayern Munich ML (-530), pays (+132)