German Football 
/ Kevin Hatchard / 04 March 2011 / Leave a Comment Louis Van Gaal is under pressure to turn Bayern's fortunes around
"Back Bayern to win at a stingy [1.73], and with Hannover defending well back under 2.5 goals at [2.28]."
Bayern are on a miserable run and their coach is under pressure, so can they overcome Hannover? Meanwhile, can Frankfurt score their first goal of 2011? Kevin Hatchard selects the best bets from the Bundesliga.
Hannover [5.6] vs Bayern Munich [1.73], the draw [4.0]
This time last week Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena could justifiably have been described as a fortress. Bayern had won seven straight league games at their Bavarian home, and hadn't lost there since September. Two costly defeats later, the fortress lies in flaming ruins, with Borussia Dortmund and Schalke riding back to the Ruhr with the spoils.
Dortmund's 3-1 Bundesliga win at Bayern on Saturday came as a big surprise to many, including yours truly. I fully expected Bayern to continue their sparkling recent form, but they were outplayed and outfought by a side that will surely now claim the title. Bayern simply had no answer to a group of young, hungry players who dazzled them with superior skill and movement. Playmaker Nuri Sahin, midfield dynamo Mario Gotze and imperious defender Mats Hummels all showed why Bayern are so keen to sign them in the summer. BVB insist they are not for sale.
Bayern are an insurmountable 16 points behind the leaders, and another route to silverware was blocked off on Wednesday, as they lost their German Cup semi-final 1-0 to Schalke. Raul scored an early winner, and Bayern couldn't find a way past Germany's number one Manuel Neuer.
Coach Louis van Gaal is under pressure, and to save his job the redoubtable Dutchman must get results in this season's Champions League and ensure qualification for next season. To do the latter fourth-placed Bayern must finish in the top three, and they visit third-placed Hannover this Saturday.
Hannover have defied the experts by maintaining their excellent form this deep into the campaign. A team that avoided relegation in the final round of matches last term has been transformed by coach Mirko Slomka. Hannover's defending has been excellent since the winter break, with just four goals conceded in seven matches.
The big question mark hanging over Hannover going into this match is whether they can get results against the division's elite sides. They were hammered 4-0 at home by Dortmund, swept aside 3-0 at Bayern, and took just a point from two games against second-placed Bayer Leverkusen. Slomka says his players must start believing in themselves, but I think last season's struggles have left them with an inferiority complex against Germany's top sides.
Recommended bet: Bayern are too good to lose three games in a row, and man for man they are much better than Hannover. Back Bayern to win at a stingy [1.73], and with Hannover defending well back under 2.5 goals at [2.28].
Stuttgart [2.14] vs Schalke [3.65], the draw [3.65]
Despite last weekend's 2-0 win at goal-shy Frankfurt, second-bottom Stuttgart are in deep trouble, three points adrift of safety. The Swabians' home form is dreadful - they've lost four of their last six matches at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, conceding 12 goals. Saturday's clash with Schalke will be made even harder by the suspension of skipper Mathieu Delpierre, who was red-carded in Frankfurt.
You never really know what you're going to get with Schalke. Their cup win at Bayern was outstanding, but they were abject in their last Bundesliga away game - a 2-1 defeat at rock-bottom Monchengladbach. Schalke's away form has generally improved though - they recently drew 0-0 at Dortmund and won 1-0 at Champions League contenders Hannover.
Recommended bet: I'm not convinced that Stuttgart's win at Frankfurt wasn't a flash in the pan, and Schalke are on a high after reaching the DFB Pokal final. Back Schalke to win at a generous [3.65]
Eintracht Frankfurt [2.42] vs Kaiserslautern [3.3], the draw [3.45]
It must suck to be an Eintracht Frankfurt fan at the moment. In seven games since Christmas, Michael Skibbe's men have scored...no goals. Not one. Zero. Zilch. Nada. This offensive drought has dragged Die Adler into the relegation dogfight, and they're just three points above the dropzone.
Kaiserslautern are third from bottom, and have lost their last three away games.
They have however picked up encouraging recent draws against Dortmund and Hamburg, and this season they've won at Cologne, Nurnberg and Werder Bremen.
Recommended bet: Frankfurt are in a tailspin, and I think Kaiserslautern are better than recent away form suggests. Back the draw at [3.45], and under 2.5 goals at [1.85]
Bayern are on a miserable run and their coach is under pressure, so can they overcome Hannover? Meanwhile, can Frankfurt score their first goal of 2011? Kevin Hatchard selects the best bets from the Bundesliga....
Jurgen Klopp wants to take the German champions-elect to the very top. But can he hold on to his talented youngsters? Ben Lyttleton reports....
It's Bayern Munich versus league leaders Borsussia Dortmund this weekend in a match which may well have a huge say in where the title goes this year. Kevin Hatchard discusses this match and the other best bets......
No comments:
Post a Comment