Tomorrow (Tuesday) is a big day in the world of elite football, as all eyes are on Germany’s decision on how far to go in releasing its national lockdown.
The Bundesliga looked set to be the first major league to recommence after the outbreak of coronavirus put a halt to world sport, but last week the decision was delayed until Tuesday 6th, with a restart date of 9th May not entirely out of the question.
Germany’s neighbours in the Netherlands and France have already abandoned their leagues, but the big four in England, Spain and Italy, along with the Bundesliga haven’t yet given up hope. The Premier League has a restart plan but there are suggestions that the six teams in danger of relegation are stalling, so the UK and rest of Europe will be watching the Bundesliga 2020 news avidly.
Two weeks ago May 9th was suggested as a start date but nothing was confirmed as the league, quite rightly, decided to wait for government guidance. Cash flow is becoming more stretched every day of the crisis but last Thursday, Chancellor Angela Merkel said any decision on when sport can recommence will be made on the 6th. The German interior minister Horst Seehofer has backed a restart for the Bundesliga, behind closed doors, after clubs have started training again in small groups.
The German Football League has issued guidelines for regular testing of players and Seehofer has indicated he’s in favour of full team quarantine in case of positive tests, saying: “I find the time frame of the German Football League plausible and I support a restart in May. There should be no extra privileges for the league but I am in favour of trying to play again.”
Bayern’s Title to Lose
If we are heading for an imminent restart then FC Bayern will begin in pole position to win their eighth title in as many years, with a four-point advantage over Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga 2020 betting odds here at SBOBET are backing the Bavarians to see the job through, and their top striker Robert Lewandowski will be primed for action.
Polish sharpshooter Lewandowski looks set to pick up another Golden Boot with a four-goal lead over Red Bull Leipzig’s Timo Werner. Already on 25 goals, he’ll back himself to reach 30, beating his 29 from 2018 and in the process making it three Golden Boots on the run.
Dortmund are second-favourites to win the 2020 title, but Red Bull Leipzig will be keen to make a resumption too. 32-year-old head coach Julien Nagelsmann took over at the start of the season and he’s made an immediate impact in Leipzig, giving his side a genuine, if slim, chance to pull off a shock title win. Red Bull is one of five teams within eight points of the top spot, down to Bayer Leverkusen in fifth place, and in Werner they have the firepower of their own. The Saxony team is already through to the last eight of the Champions League, having brushed aside last season’s finalists Spurs.
At the bottom end of the table, Werder Bremen and SC Paderborn occupy the relegation spots with Fortuna Dusseldorf in the play-off place in 16th. Four teams, up to Eintracht Frankfurt in 12th are looking over their shoulders, so there’s plenty to play for at both ends of the table when the restart happens.
Positive tests in Cologne
One of the key strategies for a return to action is the constant testing of players to, as near as possible, avoid any risk of a player picking up the virus during a match. FC Koln has reported that three people have tested positive for COVID 19, but the club is continuing to train ahead of the league’s return.
There has been no confirmation whether or not players were among the positive cases at the club, but the three are now in quarantine while training continues. The club statement said: “FC Koln had the entire team and coaching staff, along with the backroom staff, tested on Thursday for COVID 19. Three people tested positive, all are symptom-free.”
We wish them and all positive cases a quick recovery and hope for a safe return to football in Germany before long. Let’s see what the Chancellor says tomorrow…
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