German Cup
2009-09-22 - Vfl Bochum vs Schalke 04
A Sports Betting Pick by Niko
Rewirpower Stadion
Tuesday 22nd September 2009 – kickoff 20:30
Vfl Bochum
Last weekend was a tough one for Bochum as they have lost at home to Mainz in the Bundesliga which was followed by sacking of the Swiss Coach Marcel Koller who had a contract until 2010, but the series of losses and bad team management made the board to make a decision.
Frank Heinemann has been installed as a new head coach and he has to improve this team quickly. He will have lots of problems for this Cup clash that comes in bad times for the team and he will not have several first team regulars at his disposal.
In addition to the long-time injured players Shinji Ono, Stanislav Sestak and Philipp Heerwagen - also the young team talent Kevin Vogt will not be able to strengthen the team.
The 26-year old forward Stanislav Sestak is especially important for the team because he is a main strike force of the team and his absence is very much obvious. However, he is set for a four- week injury layoff.
Schalke 04
Schalke 04 lost the derby match against manager Magath former team Wolfsburg, but it is interesting that he was satisfied with team performance and even Schalke fans cheered after the game.
In the second round Cup match Schalke have a full-strength squad again after Rafinha returned from his extended break in Brazil on Wednesday as agreed.
In the attack for this match is expected Gerald Asamoah and a Farfan is expected to help him from behind, so probably Kuranyi will start from the bench.
Almost three months after sustaining a hairline fracture of the left shin Jermaine Jones is still waiting to make his comeback.
During surgery at the end of June the midfielder had a metal plate inserted and the 27-year-old will spend the next three weeks on a therapy.
Head to Head
Vfl Bochum vs Schalke 04
16-08-2009 Schalke 04 3-0 VfL Bochum
14-02-2009 VfL Bochum 2-1 Schalke 04
30-08-2008 Schalke 04 1-0 VfL Bochum
06-05-2008 VfL Bochum 0-3 Schalke 04
01-12-2007 Schalke 04 1-0 VfL Bochum
27-04-2007 VfL Bochum 2-1 Schalke 04
The Betting Verdict
This is a Ruhr derby and these teams are local rivals. Both teams lost in the Bundesliga last weekend but Schalke has deeper squad and had one more day to prepare for this clash.
Cup victories bring in not just more money to the teams but also cup matches are a chance for a Europa League spot next season.
I do not think that Schalke can slip twice in a row against (supposedly) weaker team, but have in mind that this is a “small” derby and in Cup games anything can happen but i will go with a Schalke win and the price is good.
The Pick :
Vfl Bochum-Schalke 04 0-1
BEST BETTING TIP :
Away win for Schalke 04
