German Bundesliga
2011-01-29 - Vfl Wolfsburg vs Borussia Dortmund
A Sports Betting Pick by Niko
Football ; Germany : Bundesliga
Volkswagen Arena
Saturday, 29th January 2011 – kickoff 15:30
Vfl Wolfsburg
Vfl Wolfsburg are placed at the mid table on the 11th place with just 23 points, but currently they are on an unbeaten streak of eight Bundesliga matches. What is interesting is that they have only one win in those eight matches and seven draws! Also Vfl Wolfsburg have been good at their home ground and are undefeated in five matches (one win, four draws).
There are some changes in the team as the defender Andrea Barzagli left the club and joined Juventus, but The Wolves have signed new striker, the Congolese Dieumerci Mbokani who joined the club from AS Monaco and is expected in the starting line up as only striker, having on mind that Mario Mandzukic has a toe injury and is not available and Grafite is doubtful due to an ankle injury.
Also the midfielders Sascha Riether (knee injury) and Cigerci (foot injury) are not available for selection.
Probable Vfl Wolfsburg line-up :
Pekarik, Madlung, A. Friedrich, M. Schafer,
Josue, Kahlenberg,
Dejagah, Diego, Cicero,
Mbokani
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund are comfortable at the top with eleven points lead over the nearest team, and a minor setback from the good games was the unexpected 1-1 draw last weekend against Vfb Stuttgart when they conceded the equalizer in the last minutes of the match.
Very bad news for Borussia Dortmund is that the 21-year-old attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa got injured at the Asian Cup in the match against South Korea and latest reports say that he might have suffered a bone break in his right foot which will probably force him to a lengthy lay off and he will most likely miss all remaining matches of this season. He was one of the best players for Borussia Dortmund this season with eight goals scored as well as many assists that lead to winning goals.
Mario Gotze is taking his role as a playmaker and Lucas Barrios will be the only team striker. Sven Bender is back in the starting eleven after recovering from his injury and Jakub ‘Cuba’ Blaszczykowski is a bit doubtful also struggling with injury and if he is not fit on time than probably Mohammed Zidan will take his place at the right wing.
Probable Borussia Dortmund line-up :
Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer,
S. Bender, Sahin,
Blaszczykowski, M. Gotze, Grosskreutz,
Barrios
The Betting Verdict
Vfl Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund have met 27 times in the Bundesliga with Vfl Wolfsburg winning in only six matches, Borussia Dortmund have won 14 times and there were seven draws. The last match between these teams in September last year was won by BVB 2-0.
Another fact to consider when betting is that in seven of their nine home matches this season, VfL Wolfsburg have scored two or more goals and in the last 44 home matches overall they have only one scoreless result, 0-0 against Werder Bremen in the 15th Round of this season.
Borussia Dortmund are a much better team than Vfl Wolfsburg and are expected to win, but it will be interesting to see how the injury and losing of Shinji Kagawa for the remainder of the season will affect them.
Instead betting on winner i would rather bet on goals having on mind the tradition this season in the Vfl Wolfsburg home matches and also Borussia Dortmund are the best offensive team with 43 goals scored this season, so betting on both teams to score seems like a very good punt here.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Vfl Wolfsburg-Borussia Dortmund 2-2
