Eintracht Frankfurt - 1.FC Nürnberg

This is the first from two duels between both teams and it is an important one as most of the battles gives a real sign what team can go through. It was almost in every battle the same thing, the team who won the first game was in advantage before the second game and did the job then. Also in many battles won the team from 1.Bundesliga against 2.Bundesliga in two matches but sometimes surprises happened of course. Both do not like each other much and the fans are big rivals therefore we can only hope that this is an silent game between both but the atmosphere can be very hot anyway. Maybe Nürnberg wants the revenge for 99 where they got relegated due to a 1-2 against Freiburg at home and Frankfurt had to win high against Kaiserslautern what was the case with 5-1. This time can be turned things around for FCN. Also the financial aspect is very important for both, Frankfurt has to move the budget down in case of relegation while Nürnberg is in a need of additional money according to their difficult financial situation. If they can not reach the goal promotion they must sell some of their top players.

It was very close for Frankfurt above all after they changed the Coach as with Kovac for Veh success was not there and he got only 3 Points from 5 matches what many experts let them be relegated. But they could turn things around and won to Mainz, Darmstadt and Dortmund and got a real final game against Bremen which was lost. But overall they did the job and get the next chance to be in 1.Bundesliga for next Season again. Despite the late goal against them they have to look forward and should be positive to get the job done against Nürnberg.

Compared to the last game in Bremen where they was very defensive minded is Frankfurt expected to be more offensive this time. For this reason some changes are possible above all Huszti should be back in starting eleven after his suspension, he can replace defensive player Ignovski. He plays with Hasebe in central midfield then where he takes offense part and bring more power in their offensive play. In offensive part can Ben Hatira move from the middle to the wing and also up front he can count on two attacker as only on Seferovic as in Bremen. Beside him is Castagnios an option but it would be no surprise if hero Meier starts from beginning on after his long injury time.

It was sure that Nürnberg come in as third after having an incredible run with 18 unbeaten games and of course they had the hope to enter second place and direct promotion but after their winning streak was over he lost 3 of the following 4 matches. This knock them out in the race of place 2 and they have to look forward to be well prepared now to make the aim reality. The self confidence should be there after two wins to St. Pauli and Paderborn in the last League games.

In the last game against bottom side Paderborn gave Coach Weiler some players some rest like Burgstaller, Margreiter and Behrens but all are expected to stand in the starting lineup again today. They are coming to Frankfurt with almost all their players, only Polak, Erras and Mössmer are out and injured for long time now. The rest are ready what gives him a lot to choose but he said already that 9 of the 11 starters are already safe. Only on 2 Positions he is thinking about ….. Very important is the return of veteran Schäfer into the goal because he has more coolness and experience and gave the defensive line more stability as Rakovsky do or did. In front of him are Brecko, Margreiter, Bulthuis and Sepsi safe. In central midfield with Behrens and Möhwald are also two safe but with Petrak and Leipold he has to in back. Maybe he changes here a bit. According to the performance of some players on the wing line Gislason, Blum or Stieber Leibold is the man there of course. One of the mentioned three gets a place in starting lineup because Kerk is not 100% ready and only on bench then. Up front we have the two dangerous players with fighter Burgstaller and Goalgetter Füllkrug.

Eintracht Braunschweig - Fortuna Düsseldorf

It was a long and disappointing Season for Braunschweig so far but in the last games they seems on a good way to bring this to a good end. With two wins in a row they can close the Season with a win today what would be very important for them according to the TV money they get then. If they win they can overcome Kaiserslautern in this ranking and get 500.000 Euro more what is a huge amount for them. Fortuna on the other side made the important step against rival FSV Frankfurt and have now 3 Points advantage to the red zone and also plus 6 goals what is a very save position right now. If they want to be absolutely sure about the remaining in 2.Bundesliga they need one Point but overall the situation is clear and no one doubt that they can be cached form the teams behind. MSV plays RB Leipzig and FSV Frankfurt plays 1860 Munich but FSV has 10 goals difference to Fortuna.

It was a very hard and crazy Season for Braunschweig with a lot of problems above all in their defensive part they had a lot of injured players what made Coach Lieberknecht a lot of work to find always a new lineup in defensive. They had to play some matches without Baffo, Correia, Decarli, Afosu Ayeh and Sauer what would be the case again today. But they were able to handle this in the last games and can look forward to a good end and celebrating with their fans today. The uptrend is seen and they scored 3 goals in both last games what is much for Braunschweig if you take a look on the results. The offensive is working very well at the moment and with Holtmann they have an incredible inform player on the wing. He can make the difference here with his fast actions despite the defensive line is build by a lot of players which is not their part normally. But the guys did a good job and they help the team where they can.

In the winter break was Kurz the new head coach for Fortuna and they hope to have better times as at least but he was sucked after 7 games without any success. For him Funkel is the man on the sideline an experienced Coach who has the skills in this situation. The start was good with him and a win against Kaiserslautern but the following matches he was also not able to bring this team forward and they got only 2 Points but the last game to rival FSV was won 1-0 and this was maybe the key match and the game where they were saved now.
Despite the win Coach Funkel wants to changes on a lot of position, first one is on the wing where Bellinghausen is out. For him can play Bebou or Bolly but they are also possible as back wing because Mavrias could not convince against FSV again. On the other back wing move Schauerte in the starting lineup after illness where Koch is out then. In offensive they have with Pohjanpalo an attacker back who was missed in last game but Demirbay made the job there. He can move back in the midfield and bring some rotation there too. Fink move back and plays beside Bodzek in central midfield while Gartner is on bench.

Both teams with some problems and missing players today. But overall it is very hard to play in Braunschweig for all the teams because the fans and the atmosphere is great there and push the home side very well. According to the latest run it is more as possible that they can walk on above all the pressure is gone in Düsseldorf. They are almost save, they should only not lose to high ..... What the teams are doing if the pressure is gone saw we yesterday, they sit back and play only on low level. We expect Braunschweig at home to push and bring Fortuna in danger.

PICK: Eintracht Braunschweig AHC -0,25 @ 1,90 (3 Units / Flat Stake)

FC Bayern München - Hannover 96

This is the last home game for Bayern Munich before they can celebrate the championship with their fans. They had an incredible good season despite the third knock out in the champions league semi final in a row. Normally Coach Guardiola was signed to bring this title home to Munich but he was not able to beat a spanish team in three attempts. But overall he had a excellent time in Munich with a lot of success and the new style of play is seen very well. Before the league doors close for him he has to bring his team well prepared on the pitch to celebrate the last home game with an excellent game against relegated Hannover. Also they should hold the concentration high according to the important Cup Final in one week against rival Borussia Dortmund. For this he will count on his strongest lineup and allow his top guys a good rhythm. Also they can play for their striker Lewandowski who has scored 29 goals so far and he wants to break 30 this Season what is an incredible number and never reached in the last years. Also he is the first none German who can reached this special number.

Hannover comes to Munich already relegated and has to play for nothing, only for a good result what was not always the case in the last years if they were there. No they got almost every game a big pounding from Bayern. The play from Munich is to fast for Hannover and they were not able to defend this well. Therefore it is not sure if new Coach Stendel is able to find the right mix and balance for this game also if the motivation is gone. Despite the situation they should try to bring this match to a good end but the pressure can be very high over the 90 minutes and this can be one of the hardest matches for them this Season. In the last 8 matches with Bayern Munich they scored only 2 goals and conceded incredible 31 what says all of the dominance from Bayern. Of course under Stendel they are doing better but this is almost impossible for them to get the job done.

This match is very clear, I am sure that Bayern wants to celebrate with a great win the title. Also with some goals from Lewandowski, therefore they press from beginning on and bring H96 in really danger. The goals will come for sure here as they did in several games before against Hannover and they won always with a high margin. They love to play against this team and they come to an exactly good moment to Munich.

PICK: Bayern München AHC -2,75 @ 1,86 (3 Units / Flat Stake)
Special PICK: Lewandowski to score anytime

1899 Hoffenheim - FC Schalke 04

Statistic:

- This team meet each other 15 times and it is very even so far (5-4-6 for 1899).
- S04 was 7 times in Hoffenheim and they could never win there (0-4-3).
- Against no other club they have such a bad run as in Hoffenheim till now.
- Only the top clubs collected more Points from the last 13 Rounds as Hoffenheim 23.
- With Nagelsmann on the sideline they are much more effective and successful as before.
- 1899 was able to bring 24 Points on their side 2016, 2 more as Schalke did so far.
- Schalke was not able to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 league games.
- The last one was in February to Frankfurt 0-0. Such a run happened at least 2004.

With Nagelsmann as head coach 1899 has found the right man to lead this team despite his young age. He has a lot of power although the experience is not there but he is working hard and has some good skills in his training work. The team is doing by far a better second half of the Season as to begin where they got only 13 Points, under Nagelsmann they were able to be 5. in the second part of the season. This says all and the team is following him very well what is seen in success. They are already save and they can go out and play relaxed but with a lot of passion and celebrate with their fans the last game of the Season. They have all their key players ready, so no excuses here.

It was an average Season for Schalke so far but they have reach one of their goals already. They are sure for an international spot so far. Although they wanted much more above all the Champions League was their big aim but they missed this target. They can be happy with this above all after some weak performances they do the job. All is possible for them form place 5 to 7. With a draw they maybe climb one place up as Mainz and Hertha which both above them are playing each other. It could be important to get one of the places above them as they do not have to start so early in qualification for Euro League. With Goretzka they miss one midfield player who started recently but he can be replaced from Geis this time.

Both teams should be very even in their class at the moment and 1899 at home can always be a difficult team to play although they play for nothing. Nevertheless Nagelsmann is ambitious and he wants to win this one of course. S04 has something to play for and must be take the active part in this game what can be dangerous for them above all if Hoffenheim brings their fast offensive players in running. This can hurt them badly. We love the matchup and the HC on our side here.

PICK: 1899 Hoffenheim AHC +0,25 @ 1,95 (3 Units / Flat Stake)

VfL Wolfsburg - VfB Stuttgart

The Season is already gone for Wolfsburg but they have not won in the last 3 home games what put them under additional pressure for this game despite they play for nothing. This can not be their real target to reach a midfield place. Both manager Allofs and Coach Hecking are not pleased with the outcome and the Season, all the players have to improve their level and ask themselves what they can do better for the next Season. After coming in as second last Season they had a huge downtrend this Season above all away from home they won not much and this was maybe the reason why they missed an international spot. At home they lost only 3 matches so far and they had some really strong games there what should make it possible to get a win in the last game. All players are monitored if they are the right one for Wolfsburg next Season. Coach Hecking and Manager Allofs put the level high and they want to see a good performance and also a win.

After 39 years in Bundesliga the worst case is almost there for VfB Stuttgart. They had a good run after Kramny took over and pushed VfB on the right way but the last games were all without any fire above all the big miss in midfield with fighter Die is a big blow for them. Some other important players are not fully fit and plays with slight injuries what help the team not much. Therefore the results are all against them and only with a win they can have some hope to reach place 16 and two relegation matches against the 3 rd from 2.Bundesliga. But for this Bremen must lose otherwise Stuttgart has no chance anymore, although if Bremen plays draw and Stuttgart win with a very high margin they can overcome Bremen but this is almost impossible. So only a lose from Bremen hold them in the race. A very hard scenario for Stuttgart and what the fans are thinking about was seen in the last home game where they attack the pitch after the match was over. Also they attacked some of the players. The nerves are not the best there anyway and how should they be handled from the players on the pitch additional. Stuttgart travels to Wolfsburg with almost full squad only Sunjic suspended, Serey Die injured and Großkreutz injured again are not ready. 

The pressure is clear on Stuttgart’s side and Wolfsburg can sit back and play a normal game at home what is maybe their preferred style if they can play on counter with their fast offensive players. If Stuttgart has to open in the end of the game it can be that Wolfsburg overcome them easy. I have my doubts that Stuttgart can celebrate the same wonder as last Season when they won the important game against Paderborn and was saved then. This time we have to say good bye for a traditional BL team.

PICK: VfL Wolfsburg AHC 0 @ 1,78 (3 Units / Flat Stake)

Saturday 1.Bundesliga update

Werder Bremen - Eintracht Frankfurt

- Frankfurt lost only 1 of the last 11 matches against Werder, at Round 31 0-1 last Season.
- They are 6-4-1 in this period against Bremen and of course want to continue the run.
- Frankfurt needs only a draw here while Bremen has to win if they want to overcome Frankfurt.
- If Stuttgart does not win in Wolfsburg both Bremen and Frankfurt can not be relegated directly.
- This is only the case because Stuttgart -23, Bremen -16 and Frankfurt -17 goals.
- It is almost the same run from Frankfurt since they managed the biggest surprise 98/98.
- They won 98/99 also the last 4 matches and got saved .... 3 in a row they have already managed.
- Bremen kept the first clean sheet this Season and collected 7 Points out of the last 4 games.


FSV Mainz 05 - Hertha BSC Berlin

- For FSV a draw would be enough to be directly qualified for the Euro League.
- On the other side Hertha need a win to overcome Mainz and do the same job.
- In the last 7 matches between these two clubs in Mainz, Hertha had the better outcome (3-3-1).
- This is the weakest number from Mainz against a team who played at least 2 times there.
- Hertha lost all their last 4 road games and showed a big downtrend recently.
- Hertha was always better in the first half of the Season and in second half they are much weaker.
- Berlin lost 5 of their last 6 last Season games. The only win was 2012 with 3-1 to 1899.
- In BL history lost Berlin 10 of their last 13 matches of the Season (2-1-10).


Borussia Dortmund - 1.FC Köln

- Cologne was able to get 7 of 9 possible Points against Dortmund from the last 3 games.
- Coach Stöger is actual unbeaten against Dortmund so far.
- Before this run they lost all 8 matches to Dortmund.
- But in Dortmund is Cologne waiting since 25 years for a win. The last one was 1991 2-1.
- Since this win they lost 14 times and got 2 draws what is not the best outcome so far.
- Also they are waiting since 440 minutes to score a goal in Dortmund.
- Cologne has the change to win both matches against BvB this Season. They are the only one then.
- FC is playing his best Season since 2000/01 when they managed 45 Points, 42 now.
- Dortmund won 18 of their 20 BL home matches and scored 57 goals, an average from 2,9.
- The last team who was able to win in Dortmund was Bayern in April 2015 with 1-0.