OUR Bundesliga boff Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) has highlighted three bets from the weekend coupon that we should know about.
Hamburg v Augsburg | Saturday 14.30
Hamburg showed a few signs of promise last Sunday despite Bruno Labbadia’s first fixture in charge of Die Rothosen ending in a 1-0 derby defeat at neighbours Werder Bremen. Valon Behrami’s brainless challenge gifted Bremen the only goal of the game from the penalty spot to leave Hamburg rooted to the foot of the Bundesliga table.
The Dinosaur certainly didn’t do enough to win the game but there was an argument to say that the players appeared more organised, more willing to graft and up for the battle under Labbadia’s watch. But HSV failed to net for the sixth successive match (a club record) and again struggled to create any noteworthy opportunities.
Hamburg’s lack of goals has been a constant thorn in their campaign and now Die Rothosen have failed to notch at all in 18 of their 29 league matches. It might not be too PC but I’ve had enough of them now and I’m actively wishing relegation upon HSV. Last year they were appalling, this year they’re even worse; I’m done with them!
Anyway, on Saturday they return to the Imtech Arena for a crucial clash against European chasing Augsburg but it’s hard to see their goal trends reverse. The hosts have seen Both Teams To Score bets prove profitable in just 5/14 (36%) of their home games this term whilst Augsburg’s return of just 4/14 (29%) suggests this showdown should again go low on goals. But Coral have made ‘No’ in the Both Teams To Score market available to back at 21/20, which screams value.
Augsburg players are still dreaming of European qualification but appear to have run out of steam in recent weeks. Last weekend’s 2-1 victory at home to Stuttgart was a welcome three points for Markus Weinzierl’s charges but the Bavarians failed to exert their authority on that fixture and make the long journey north without a goal in half of their 14 previous away days this season.
As for team news, the hosts are without the suspended Behrami and Lewis Holtby for this encounter, hampering their chances but aiding ours in the process. I’m just glad I’m not paying to watch what will probably prove to be another dour display from the northerners.
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt | Saturday 14.30
Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour continues apace this weekend with a visit from Eintracht Frankfurt. Leg one was completed comfortably as the Black & Yellows eased to a 3-0 win over Paderborn last Saturday and BVB will be looking to use the emotion of Klopp’s departure to good effect again at Signal Iduna Park this time around.
There’s not too much to say on Dortmund. The hosts are still reeling from the news of 10 days ago but remain well in the hunt for a European qualifying place and so therefore shouldn’t any let up from the hosts. I’m willing to stick my hard-earned cash on Klopp’s charges -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at 10/11 with 888 Sport but this bet is based more on their visitors than the Black & Yellows’ credentials.
Frankfurt were going great guns until an injury ruled top goalscorer Alex Meier out for the season. Eintracht have now failed to find the back of the net in their last two outings and would actually be sitting rock bottom of the Bundesliga without Meier’s 19-goal haul.
The Eagles have won once in 18 attempts at Signal Iduna Park and their recent road form is woeful. It’s four defeats on the spin for Thomas Schaaf’s team, conceding three goals in each loss. No surprise then that Frankfurt have leaked a league-high 33 goals on the road then, eh?
It gets uglier, too. Eintracht have suffered defeats in five of their last six on the road, in eight of their previous 12 at top-half teams and five of their previous eight losses all came by a margin of two goals or more. I’ll back Dortmund to continue that trend on Saturday.
Paderborn v Werder Bremen | Sunday 13.30
Another struggling side looking to keep their Bundesliga status intact is Paderborn and the newly-promoted side take on Werder Bremen on Sunday hoping for only a third league win in 20 attempts. The minnows have failed to even score in 11 of their previous 13 starts, have recorded a record low for goals scored after the winter break (four) and so just can’t be considered favourites for this clash. But they are!
Bremen have done their best work on home soil but Viktor Skrypnyk’s side are interesting 37/40 (BetVictor) shots in the Draw No Bet market and I’ll be getting involved. Taking this selection means we’ll get our cash back if the match ends all square but we’ll have ourselves a winner visitors come out on top.
Die Werderaner’s W3-D4-L7 return from their away matches this term is of concern but it’s a far brighter picture when taking into account Bremen’s results since Skrypnyk took charge. The five road trips under their new boss have returned W2-D2-L1 figures with that defeat coming at Stuttgart and in second-half stoppage time.
Since mid-December, Werder have W7-D3-L3 to plough up the German top-flight table and with European qualification not yet out of the equation, we should expect another strong and resolute performance from Skrypnyk’s men on Sunday. They just shouldn’t be outsiders!
Best Bets
Hamburg v Augsburg – Both Teams To Score ‘No’ (21/20 Coral)
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt – Borussia Dortmund -1.5 Asian Handicap (10/11 888 Sport)
Paderborn v Werder Bremen – Werder Bremen draw no bet (37/40 BetVictor)
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