My Thoughts
First, let this writer apologise for the lack of work on here this weekend- it's exam time.
When these two sides met in December, Hoffenheim went into the game at the Allianz Arena knowing whatever the result, they would top the Bundesliga at the halfway stage. A titanic battle ensued- Hoffenheim taking the lead through Vedad Ibisevic, before a Bayern comeback resulting in a late winner for Luca Toni. A horrible slump in form after Christmas, which was not helped by the loss of Ibisevic to a knee injury, has resulted in Hoffenheim falling out of contention even for a Europa League place, however a mini-revival has seen them win their last 2 games and move up to 7th place. Bayern, who have re-appointed Jupp Heynckes following the dismissal of Jurgen Klinsmann and his Buddha statues (no, really) are still very much in contention for the Bundeslinga, and will be desperate for 3 points. Heynckes has won all 3 of his matches in charge so far, and will know that another 2 wins are vital if his team are to triumph.
The Verdict
Hoffenheim may well have rediscovered ther mojo in their last 2 games, however Bayern may well prove too strong here. Away win
The Bet
Bayern are a best-price 4/7 with extrabet to win- very poor value in this writer's opinion. Alternatively, Lukas Podolski seems to be rediscovering his form under Heynckes. He can be backed at 13/10 with expekt.com to score anytime
Showing posts with label Bundesliga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bundesliga. Show all posts
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Hertha Berlin v Bochum, Saturday 9th May
My Thoughts
Hertha Berlin still have a real chance of clinching the Bundesliga title, while Bochum, after losing their last 3, are still in a relegation scrap. Hertha's home record (11-2-2) is good, supported by a strong defence marshalled by experienced heads such as Josip Simunic, Arne Friedrich and Steve von Bergen, with on-loan Liverpool forward Andriy Voronin their top scorer in attack with 11 league goals. Hertha don't concede many at home- just 14 in 15 league games this season, an average of 0.93 per game. Bochum currently find themselves just 1 point above the relegation zone. They have managed just 2 away wins all season, although they have taken 8 points from their last 5 away games, although their recent 2-0 loss at home to local rivals Borussia Dortmund, themselves still in with half a chance of the Bundesliga title, will have hurt. The reverse fixture earlier this season ended in a 3-2 win to Hertha Berlin, who have generally had the edge in these fixtures.
The Verdict
Lucien Favre's Hertha Berlin side have surprised many observers by maintaining their title challenge this long- they are difficult to beat, and in Andriy Voronin have a striker capable of scoring- in only 1 home game this season have they failed to score. Bochum, on the other hand, have only kept 2 clean sheets away from home this season. Home win
The Bet
Hertha Berlin can be backed to win at a best price of 6/10 with Blue Square
Hertha Berlin still have a real chance of clinching the Bundesliga title, while Bochum, after losing their last 3, are still in a relegation scrap. Hertha's home record (11-2-2) is good, supported by a strong defence marshalled by experienced heads such as Josip Simunic, Arne Friedrich and Steve von Bergen, with on-loan Liverpool forward Andriy Voronin their top scorer in attack with 11 league goals. Hertha don't concede many at home- just 14 in 15 league games this season, an average of 0.93 per game. Bochum currently find themselves just 1 point above the relegation zone. They have managed just 2 away wins all season, although they have taken 8 points from their last 5 away games, although their recent 2-0 loss at home to local rivals Borussia Dortmund, themselves still in with half a chance of the Bundesliga title, will have hurt. The reverse fixture earlier this season ended in a 3-2 win to Hertha Berlin, who have generally had the edge in these fixtures.
The Verdict
Lucien Favre's Hertha Berlin side have surprised many observers by maintaining their title challenge this long- they are difficult to beat, and in Andriy Voronin have a striker capable of scoring- in only 1 home game this season have they failed to score. Bochum, on the other hand, have only kept 2 clean sheets away from home this season. Home win
The Bet
Hertha Berlin can be backed to win at a best price of 6/10 with Blue Square
Friday, 8 May 2009
Stuttgart v Wolfsburg, Saturday 9th May
My Thoughts
After going on a storming run since January to move to the top of the Bundesliga, Wolfsburg all of a sudden look ever so slightly vulnerable; a 2-0 loss 2 weeks ago away to struggling Energie Cottbus was this week followed by the news that manager Felix Magath will be leaving the club this summer, possibly to join Schalke 04. Many readers of this blog may remember Stuttgart's stunning run from nowhere to clinch the Bundesliga title in 2007: given the supremely tight nature of the top, it would be foolish to rule out Markus Babbel's side- unbeaten in 6, and just 5 points behind Wolfsburg. Stuttgart have been pretty good at home this season: their record reads 10-3-2. Wolfsburg's recent run has been built mainly on excellent home form, along with the goals of Grafite: their away form (4-5-6) however is not exactly championship-winning stuff.
The Verdict
Expect an entertaining game high on quality. It remains to be seen what sort of impact, if any, the news of Magath's impending departure will have on Wolfsburg, a team who were never expected to be challenging for the title in the first place. With striker Mario Gomez rediscovering his form, I reckon Stuttgart will edge this one. Home win
The Bet
Stuttgart can be backed at a best price of 13/10 with Stan James. Alternatively, Mario Gomez to score anytime is available at 15/8 with Boylesports
After going on a storming run since January to move to the top of the Bundesliga, Wolfsburg all of a sudden look ever so slightly vulnerable; a 2-0 loss 2 weeks ago away to struggling Energie Cottbus was this week followed by the news that manager Felix Magath will be leaving the club this summer, possibly to join Schalke 04. Many readers of this blog may remember Stuttgart's stunning run from nowhere to clinch the Bundesliga title in 2007: given the supremely tight nature of the top, it would be foolish to rule out Markus Babbel's side- unbeaten in 6, and just 5 points behind Wolfsburg. Stuttgart have been pretty good at home this season: their record reads 10-3-2. Wolfsburg's recent run has been built mainly on excellent home form, along with the goals of Grafite: their away form (4-5-6) however is not exactly championship-winning stuff.
The Verdict
Expect an entertaining game high on quality. It remains to be seen what sort of impact, if any, the news of Magath's impending departure will have on Wolfsburg, a team who were never expected to be challenging for the title in the first place. With striker Mario Gomez rediscovering his form, I reckon Stuttgart will edge this one. Home win
The Bet
Stuttgart can be backed at a best price of 13/10 with Stan James. Alternatively, Mario Gomez to score anytime is available at 15/8 with Boylesports
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Wolfsburg v Hoffenheim, Saturday 2nd May
My Thoughts
Herbstmiester (autumn champions) Hoffenheim have fallen spectacularly, and yet somehow predictably, off the pace in the 2nd half of the Bundesliga season. Wolfsburg, on t'other hand, have gone from strength to strength after their visit from the big fella in the red with the white bearn, and now sit top of the Bundesliga with 5 games left, with a home record of 13 wins and 1 draw from 14 home league games, helped in no small part by the goalscoring form of Grafite. Wolfsburg's home form, as mentioned above, is about as close to perfection as can resonably be expected. Hoffenheim's away record, however, is not so: just 4 wins away from home all season, the last of those coming back in November at Koln.
The Verdict
Despite last weekend's blip in the form of a 2-0 loss away at struggling Energie Cottbus, Wolfsburg are still very much the team to beat in Germany right now. Hoffenheim now look exactly like the 200-1 title outsiders they were at the start of the season: a fearsome gallop at the start gave backers something to cheer, but they look totally unable to last the pace now. All of this points to a home win.
The Bet
Predictably, a small single backing Wolfsburg outright won't make you a millionaire, but should still represent decent value (best price 6/11 with expekt.com). Elsewhere, Wolfsburg have scored an average of 2.78 goals per game at home this season, with Hoffenheim averaging 2. It would therefore be worth considering over 3.5 goals, especially considering Hoffenheim's 3-2 win in the reverse fixture, currently trading around the 6/4 mark on Betfair.
Herbstmiester (autumn champions) Hoffenheim have fallen spectacularly, and yet somehow predictably, off the pace in the 2nd half of the Bundesliga season. Wolfsburg, on t'other hand, have gone from strength to strength after their visit from the big fella in the red with the white bearn, and now sit top of the Bundesliga with 5 games left, with a home record of 13 wins and 1 draw from 14 home league games, helped in no small part by the goalscoring form of Grafite. Wolfsburg's home form, as mentioned above, is about as close to perfection as can resonably be expected. Hoffenheim's away record, however, is not so: just 4 wins away from home all season, the last of those coming back in November at Koln.
The Verdict
Despite last weekend's blip in the form of a 2-0 loss away at struggling Energie Cottbus, Wolfsburg are still very much the team to beat in Germany right now. Hoffenheim now look exactly like the 200-1 title outsiders they were at the start of the season: a fearsome gallop at the start gave backers something to cheer, but they look totally unable to last the pace now. All of this points to a home win.
The Bet
Predictably, a small single backing Wolfsburg outright won't make you a millionaire, but should still represent decent value (best price 6/11 with expekt.com). Elsewhere, Wolfsburg have scored an average of 2.78 goals per game at home this season, with Hoffenheim averaging 2. It would therefore be worth considering over 3.5 goals, especially considering Hoffenheim's 3-2 win in the reverse fixture, currently trading around the 6/4 mark on Betfair.
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Energie Cottbus v Wolfsburg, Sunday 26th April
My Thoughts
Wolfsburg are flying right now- top of the Bundesliga, 10 wins in a row, Grafite scoring goals for fun, Felix Magath's side have given themselves a real chance of winning the title in what has been an extremely close-fought title race. Cottbus, on the other hand, are firmly entrenched in a relegation battle, and face a real task in trying to get anything from the clash at the Stadion auf Freundshaft (Stadium of Friendship. No, really). Their recent form is poor: only 2 wins from their last 8 games, and the reverse fixture in November resulted in a comfortable 3-0 win for Wolfsburg.
The Verdict
It's extremely difficult to see past Wolfsburg winning here. Although they have only 4 away wins under their belts this season, those were their last 4 games, including a 2-1 win away at Cottbus' relegation rivals Borussia Monchengladbach. With no UEFA Cup campaign to distract them, Wolfsburg should be at full-strength, and should win here. Away win
The Bet
Wolfsburg to win (best price 4/6 with Betfred). The reason I'm posting this so far in advance is because I don't expect this price to last. I really cannot overstate how good a price I think this is
Wolfsburg are flying right now- top of the Bundesliga, 10 wins in a row, Grafite scoring goals for fun, Felix Magath's side have given themselves a real chance of winning the title in what has been an extremely close-fought title race. Cottbus, on the other hand, are firmly entrenched in a relegation battle, and face a real task in trying to get anything from the clash at the Stadion auf Freundshaft (Stadium of Friendship. No, really). Their recent form is poor: only 2 wins from their last 8 games, and the reverse fixture in November resulted in a comfortable 3-0 win for Wolfsburg.
The Verdict
It's extremely difficult to see past Wolfsburg winning here. Although they have only 4 away wins under their belts this season, those were their last 4 games, including a 2-1 win away at Cottbus' relegation rivals Borussia Monchengladbach. With no UEFA Cup campaign to distract them, Wolfsburg should be at full-strength, and should win here. Away win
The Bet
Wolfsburg to win (best price 4/6 with Betfred). The reason I'm posting this so far in advance is because I don't expect this price to last. I really cannot overstate how good a price I think this is
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