Champions League
2008-11-04 - Werder Bremen vs Panathinaikos
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
After three draws from their first three Champions League games Werder Bremen will be looking to pick up maximum points against Panathinaikos who have taken only one point from their three fixtures themselves.WERDER BREMEN
Bremen would be happy to repeat the 5-1 winning scoreline when Pana last visited the Weserstadion, three years ago in Champions League play.
Werder Bremen did also manager a 5-1 win on Saturday, this time beating in-form Hertha Berlin in a Bundesliga match, a much needed result as it was Bremen's first win in SEVEN matches.
Scoring goals hasn't been a problem for Bremen domestically, they've notched up 28 goals in their first 11 league games, but conceded 23 at the other end - also a league high.
PANATHINAIKOS
This is Panathinikos 10th match in Germany in UEFA club competition, with their record showing three wins and six defeats.
Panathinaikos have a poor record when travelling in the Champions League and while they overcame that in the qualification round - beating Sparta Prague, they went back to losing ways in their only away group game so far - losing 1-3 in Cyprus to Anorthosis.
Pana will be buoyed by their first win in five attempts at the weekend as goals from Ioannis Goumas and Gabriel earned them a 2-1 win at Panionios despite the dismissal of Bryce Moon just eight minutes into the second half.
Team NEWS
Werder Bremen Team News :
The Bundesliga side are without midfielder Torsten Frings, who picked up his third yellow card in the competition in Greece to earn a suspension.
Panathinaikos team news :
Panathinaikos travel to Germany without Austria international Andreas Ivanschitz, who picked up a thigh injury at the weekend.
HEAD TO HEAD
When these sides met three years ago, both clubs had home wins with Werder Bremen winning 5-1 in Germany, and Panathinaikos edging the game in Greece 2-1.
The first clash this season between the two sides occured two weeks ago in Athens, where Panathinaikos dominated much of the play, but both sides had to settle for a 2-2 draw.
THE VERDICT
I favour the German side to make home advantage count, they've been exceptionally good in the Weserstadion over the last 2-3 years at all levels.
It also looks like being a game that goes over the 2.5 goal total as well.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Werder Bremen 3-1 Panthinaikos
