Soccer Picks: Leipzig vs. Paderborn

Best Bet: 1u - Patrick Schick to score anytime @ -104

Unfortunately, despite all the heart and courage they’ve shown this season, it looks like Paderborn are going down.

After three gritty, consecutive draws to restart their Bundesliga campaign, the basement boys fell to a 6-1 defeat against Dortmund, and it’s hard to see how they possibly close the eight-point gap on Dusseldorf in the relegation play-off, particularly because Leipzig are next on their list.

The hosts are still far from confirmed as top-four finishers, and they certainly can’t afford many more slip-ups with Gladbach and Leverkusen right on their heels.

It’s hard to make much of a case for Paderborn in this fixture, and quite frankly there’s so little value in any results-based market they’re not worth exploring too much anyway.

Instead I’m looking at two player-based markets, with my first tip being Leipzig striker Patrik Schick to score at any time.

He was brilliant last time out against Koln, and nine goals in his 12 starts this season is a phenomenal return; Paderborn are a gritty outfit, but they’ll struggle against Schick’s power and aerial strength.

The Dortmund result wasn’t a fair indication on Paderborn, and I’m confident they’ll make a better account of themselves in this one, but Schick should still be taken.

1u - Klaus Gjasula to be shown a card @ +140

Next up, I’m backing one of my favourite players, Klaus Gjasula, to be shown a card.

The Albanian has become only the third Bundesliga player ever to be shown 15 yellow cards in a season, and he still has five matches to improve his tally!

The midfield anchorman will be up against one of the most potent, sharp and skilful attacking forces in Europe.

If he doesn’t find himself in the book, I’ll be absolutely amazed.