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
Showing posts with label Wolfsburg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wolfsburg. Show all posts
Friday, 8 May 2009
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.
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