German Bundesliga
2010-01-23 - Hertha Berlin vs Monchengladbach
A Sports Betting Pick by Niko
Olympic Stadium
Saturday, 23th January 2010 – kickoff 15:30
Hertha Berlin
Hertha started the second part of the season with morale booster 3-0 win over Hannover last weekend which made them believing in what seemed impossible so far-surviving in the top flight football.
They are still rock bottom team with just 9 points and 9 points behind the safety place. They also have conceded massive 39 goals so far.
Coach Friedhelm Funkel will field the same team from the last week hoping that they can bring another joy to the fans from Berlin.
Only the new team signing Roman Hubnik is expected to replace some of the starters and make his debut. Probably von Bergen will miss this match or will replace Hubnik later on during the match.
Funkel can not count on the midfielders Dardai, Nicu and Gojko Kacar, but there are couple new signings that could replace them, which makes Hertha`s coach less worried.
Probable Hertha Berlin line-up :
Piszczek, Arne Friedrich, Hubnik, Kobiashvili,
Lustenberger, Kringe,
Cicero,
Raffael, Ramos Gekas
Borussia Monchengladbach
Monchengladbach slipped against their bottom rivals Bochum at home losing 1-2 last weekend, and although Monchengladbach had a very good first part of the season when they finished in the mid-table they are in danger since they are now only four points separated from the relegation zone.
Monchengladbach won the first meeting against Hertha Berlin 2-1 in round 2 of the current season.
For this match, coach Michael Frontzek will have to do without the services of injured Stalteri, Alberman, Friend and Karim Matmour (Africa Cup). Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker (rehab training after foot tendonitis) and Christian Dorda (torn patellar tendon) will remain sidelined.
The attackers Roberto Colautti and Oliver Neuville, who were sidelined by muscle strains last week, have resumed full training, but are doubtful for selection.
Probable Borussia Monchengladbach line-up :
Levels, Brouwers, Dante, Daems,
Marx, Bradley, Reus, Arango, Lamidi,
Bobadilla
The Betting Verdict
As you can see the Bundesliga is very specific and interesting in that the half of the league is fighting for championship and the half of the league is fighting for survival.
Last season Wolfsburg managed to become champions after being placed ninth before the winter break. Can now Hertha Berlin try the same thing and after being rooted to the bottom of the table to climb up few places and achieve their goal? I think it’s possible, but one or two wins do not change things much.
If Hertha Berlin manages to get a win here and continue with building the momentum than their quest for survival seems realistic.
Monchengladbach has several players injured and their form is dropping so i think Hertha will try to use that in their own advantage, as they are in desperate need for points.
Hertha Berlin have won six of the last ten home games against Borussia Monchengladbach at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, drawing three and losing just once.
I think that Hertha Berlin will not lose this match, but i am also not sure if they can win it either.
Although i think that they have a slight advantage over their opponents and probably will manage to grab a very important narrow win, a late equalizer and a draw match is also possible.
At the end it`s your choice, but you should consider home win if the prices are around evens.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Hertha Berlin 1-0 Borussia Monchengladbach
