MARK O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) takes a trip to the Bundesliga for his next European NAP.
Hannover 96 v Paderborn | Sunday 16.30 | BT Sport 2
Sunday’s live Bundesliga offering on BT Sport features two teams with just one win in 19 games between them. Yes, neither side have particularly impressed in recent months so call me mad, call me stupid but I’ve found a bet I like. A lot.
Hannover are a side that enjoy their home comforts. Since 2011/12, the 96ers have collected 32/60 Bundesliga wins at their HDI-Arena base and I’m willing to invest my faith in Tayfun Korkut’s men this weekend. BetVictor's 20/23 is good enough to grab my attention as they bid for just a second league victory in 10.
Last weekend’s 2-1 loss at Hamburg was hard to take for Die Rotten. Star striker Joselu missed a penalty whilst both Hamburg’s goals came from huge deflections off defender Marcelo. Hannover put their hosts under huge pressure, got a goal back, fired in more shots than they have in any league game this season but just couldn’t find the equaliser their performance deserved.
The Lower Saxony club should return home pleased with their display but even more determined to end their recent winless record. As already mentioned, home form is impressive and their W5-D1-L3 return at the HDI-Arena this season involves playing teams in 13th and above. They’re yet to face-off against any of the league’s lesser lights at home.
Paderborn certainly fall into that category. Their fairtyale season is in grave danger. André Breitenreiter’s men have not tasted victory since the first weekend of November and have failed to score in their last four matches.
Since returning from the winter break, Paderborn have lost 5-0 and 3-0 before last weekend’s goalless draw at Koln. They gifted their hosts far too many first-half opportunities and showed little adventure until the second-half but a lack of cutting edge looks like it could cost them their Bundesliga status.
The minnows have scored just six goals on their travels and are conceding on average seven shots-on-target per match on their travels. Breitenreiter’s team are in desperate need of a pick-up but there are much easier venues to visit in Germany than Hannover and I just can’t see the plucky underdogs surviving, sadly.
Best Bets
Hannover 96 v Paderborn – Hannover 96 to win (20/23 BetVictor)
*Remember, you can earn a bonus of up to 100% on your returns if you place accumulators on the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga or Bundesliga with Bet365. Place a pre-match accumulator of 3 or more selections combining teams in any of those competitions, and if successful Bet365 will add the a bonus to your returns.*
Your View
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