BUNDESLIGA boff Tom Loveys (@ValueBetMethods) pinpoints the best bet for Friday night's action in Germany.
Koln v Hamburg | Friday 25th August 2017, 19:30
Koln take on Hamburg on Friday evening looking to kick-start their season. Having lost 1-0 away at rivals Borussia Monchengladbach in Match-Day 1, they'll be hoping for their first goal(s) and points in front of the home fans.
Hamburg started the season off with three points and a win against Augsburg, Nicolai Muller with the only goal of the game and then bizarrely injuring himself in the goal celebration ruling himself out for seven months. Perhaps the noble art of a gentleman's handshake following a goal should return for HSV.
Despite the three points, Hamburg were under pressure for much of the game conceding the lion’s share of possession and the best chances – and whilst confidence will be improved by that first win – survival seems to be the name of the game again this season, with their only away win of note over their last 10 outings a surprise 3-0 victory of Leipzig back in February.
The betting angle
Koln have always been tough to breakdown and performed well enough in their 1-0 defeat last Sunday. The Billy Goats will rely on Timo Horn between the sticks and Jhon Córdoba to fire the goals and are tempting at 19/20 (Marathon) to get the three points here.
The hosts have won 10 of the last 20 at the Rhein Energie Stadion including last season's 3-0 victory against Hamburg. Coach Peter Stoger has declared his side ‘ready' and wanting to make up for Sunday's defeat.
With a great atmosphere expected under the floodlights, we'll chance the Billy Goats yet again.
Best Bets
Koln v Hamburg – Koln to win (19/20 Marathon)
