German Football 
/ Kevin Hatchard / 10 February 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Felix Magath has totally revamped the Wolfsburg squad
"Wolfsburg have kept clean sheets in their last three home games, and last week they held title contenders Borussia Monchengladbach to a creditable goalless draw."
Felix Magath is a figure that polarises opinion in German football, but Kevin Hatchard thinks the teak-tough tactician may finally be working his magic at Wolfsburg.
Wolfsburg vs Freiburg, Fri 19:30 BST, Live on ESPN
Match Odds: Wolfsburg [1.78], Freiburg [5.2], the draw [3.95]
After a flurry of winter signings, Felix Magath might finally be dragging Wolfsburg in the right direction. The transfer-loving taskmaster brought ten new players to the Volkswagen Arena in January, and arranged loan exits for underachievers like misfiring striker Srdjan Lakic and creaking defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Magath's wheeling and dealing drew criticism from fans underwhelmed by a poor first half to the campaign, but improved performances since Christmas may be winning over the doubters.
Wolfsburg have kept clean sheets in their last three home games, and last week they held title contenders Borussia Monchengladbach to a creditable goalless draw. The Wolves were helped by some tight offside decisions that went in their favour, but generally they now look more organised in defence than they have in the past. The rearguard also impressed in the recent 2-0 defeat at Bayern Munich, as the Bavarians were kept at bay for an hour. Consistency of selection is no doubt helping matters, with defenders Ricardo Rodriguez, Christian Trasch and Felipe starting each of the last three games together.
Last weekend Freiburg twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Werder Bremen, but they are still rock bottom of the Bundesliga. New boss Christian Streich has collected four points from three games in charge, but the team's miserable away form is a big problem. The Breisgau-Brasilianer have won just once in nine away games, and have conceded more away goals (28) than anyone else in the division.
Recommended Bets: Wolfsburg have won six of their ten home games, and I fancy them to win this one. Backing Wolfsburg to win at [1.78] is a bit modest, so if you want a more beefy price back Wolfsburg to Win to Nil at [3.55]
Stuttgart vs Hertha Berlin, Sat 14:30 BST
Match Odds: Stuttgart [1.93], Hertha [4.4], the draw [3.7]
These two sides are in terrible form, and are in serious danger of relegation if they don't buck up their ideas soon. Hertha are paying the price for a disastrous falling-out between general manager Michael Preetz and coach Markus Babbel, which saw Babbel sacked just a day after announcing he would leave at the end of the season. The capital club's decision to hire Michael Skibbe as Babbel's replacement is frankly unfathomable. Skibbe's last job in Germany was at Eintracht Frankfurt, and he contributed massively to last season's relegation. Skibbe was unable to prevent the goals drying up for Eintracht after Christmas, as they entered a fatal tailspin that saw them collect just seven points in the second half of the season.
Skibbe's shown he still has whatever the opposite of the Midas touch is, because Hertha have lost all four games he's helmed in league and cup. To make matters worse, a team that averaged 1.8 goals per game under Babbel this season has scored just once in four games under Skibbe.
Stuttgart are 11th, a precarious five points above the dropzone, and the pressure has steadily built on coach Bruno Labbadia after a run of two wins in 12 matches. Last weekend Stuttgart did well to twice come from behind in a 2-2 draw at Bayer Leverkusen, but the optimism that result generated was wiped away by Wednesday's abject surrender to Bayern Munich in the German Cup. Labbadia rightly slammed his players for lacking courage.
Recommended Bet: Both teams are desperately low on confidence, and it's worth considering Hertha have drawn five of their ten away games. Back the draw at [3.7]
Werder Bremen vs Hoffenheim, Sat 14:30 BST
Match Odds: Werder [1.96], Hoffenheim [4.3], the draw [3.75]
Werder let me down in their last home game when I tipped them to beat Bayer Leverkusen, but the fact remains they have won seven out of nine at the Weserstadion. Werder have drawn all three matches since the winter break, but should have won at least two of them on chances created.
Hoffenheim's season is descending into chaos. TSG crashed out of the German Cup in midweek, losing 1-0 at home to second division Greuther Furth. That defeat cost coach Holger Stanislawski his job, with keeper Tom Starke admitting there is plenty of unrest at the club. Hoffenheim have won just one of their last ten league games, and they have lost seven times on the road.
Recommended Bets: Back Werder to win at [1.96]. In six of Hoffenheim's seven away defeats, they have trailed at half-time, so back Werder/Werder in the HT/FT market at [3.2]
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