Schalke v FC Koln
Saturday December 02, 14:30
After the most remarkable comeback in Revierderby history, Schalke will believe they can achieve anything, and they go into this clash with rock-bottom Koln just five points off top spot. 32-year-old coach Domenico Tedesco helped to engineer last weekend's Lazarus-style revival with calm man-management and tactical nous at half time at Borussia Dortmund, and the Royal Blues came back from 4-0 down to draw 4-4.
Schalke have now gone seven league games unbeaten, and they have won two of their last three home matches. On Saturday they face a Koln team bereft of confidence and decimated by injury problems. The Billy Goats have taken two points from 13 games, scoring a pitiful four goals in the process. Talk is rife that popular coach Peter Stoger is on the brink, and the Austrian wants the club to either back him or sack him.
Koln are currently without seven players who would expect to challenge for a first-team place, including Dominique Heintz, Marcel Risse and Jonas Hector.
With Schalke full of confidence and playing well, I can't see how patched-up and fed-up Koln can get anything here.
Recommended Bet
Back Schalke -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at 2.32

Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Dortmund
Saturday December 02, 14:30
Having watched on in horror as his team completely collapsed in the process of blowing a four-goal lead against bitter rivals Schalke, Borussia Dortmund coach Peter Bosz must now know he's on the verge of losing his job. Dortmund have taken two points from their last six league games, and they have conceded an eye-watering 18 goals in that time.
Bosz says he will fight to turn things around, and insists he's been under more pressure elsewhere when he's had to worry about things like relegation. His life won't be made easier this weekend by the absence of top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang through suspension, and playmaker Mario Gotze through injury.
Leverkusen are arguably the worst team BVB could face this weekend. Bayer play at breakneck speed, counter-attack with deadly precision, and have put together an eight-match unbeaten run in the league.
Players like Leon Bailey and Kevin Volland are slicing through defences at will, and coach Heiko Herrlich is exceeding expectations in his first season at the helm. The fragility that is usually associated with Bayer seems to be on the wane, and against a defence that is making errors game after game, they have a great chance to make their mark.
Recommended Bet
Back Bayer Leverkusen to win at 2.44

Freiburg v Hamburg
Friday December 01, 19:30
Live on BT Sport 3
I successfully backed Freiburg to beat Mainz last week, and after their 2-1 success I'm heading down the same road this weekend. Freiburg will surely have to rely on home form to get themselves out of jail this season, as their performances on the road are consistently poor.
Christian Streich's men have only lost once at home in all competitions, and that was a harsh 1-0 reverse against a good Schalke team. They were the first team this season to beat Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, and the first to take points off Borussia Dortmund - both results were at the Schwarzwald Stadion.
Hamburg boosted their survival hopes by thrashing a jaded Hoffenheim 3-0 on Sunday, but like Freiburg, there is a duality about their results. They are a good side at the Volksparkstadion, but outside its environs they lose the plot.
HSV have lost their last five away games in the league, and even with their magnificent 17-year-old striker Fiete Arp in great form, I can't see them getting a result here.
Recommended Bet
Back Freiburg Draw No Bet at 1.84

Hertha Berlin v Eintracht Frankfurt
Sunday December 03, 14:30
Live on Betfair Live Video
Hertha Berlin eased their relegation fears on Sunday with a fine 2-0 win at FC Koln. Vedad Ibisevic got both goals, but it was his strike partner Davie Selke that once again caught the eye. Selke produced a first-half header that was spilled by Timo Horn, allowing Ibisevic to prod home the opener, and he won the penalty that led to Ibisevic doubling the visitors' advantage.
Selke's speed and strength mean that Hertha have more variety about their attacking play, and he stretches defences, which gives the midfield more space in which to operate. With young midfielders Arne Maier and Maximilian Mittelstadt really impressing in the last few games, coach Pal Dardai suddenly has plenty of options.
Hertha haven't quite been as consistent at home this term as they usually are under Pal Dardai, but they have won two of their last three games at the Olympiastadion. They have won three of their last four home games against Sunday's opponents Eintracht Frankfurt, including the last two.
Frankfurt have been impressive this season, with summer signings like striker Sebastian Haller and midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng making a bag impact. However, the Eagles have only won one of their last five league matches, and that was a barely deserved success against Werder Bremen. Niko Kovac always has his players well organised, but it's worth noting they have scored more than once in an away game just once this season.
This will be a tight contest between two well-drilled teams, and the Match Odds market is split down the middle. I think Hertha are playing a bit better, and have home advantage, so I'll back them with a bit of insurance.
Recommended Bet
Back Hertha Berlin Draw No Bet at 2.00

0 nhận xét Blogger 0 Facebook

Post a Comment

 
Top