Energie Cottbus - Eintracht Braunschweig

After facing top team Kaiserslautern last weekend Energie Cottbus has the next top match ahead. At Kaiserslautern they were a bit harmless and play not on their level as they are expecting. In this case coach Bommer motivated his team to get back on track but motivation should be there overall at Cottbus, face they an unbeaten team from Braunschweig, where they can be the first team who beat them. This should be motivation enough and give some sign to the league that Braunschweig is beatable as well. An advantage can be their home court, as they are very hard to beat there and they had some great performances here. With a record from 5-1-1 and 12-4 goals they are one of the best home sides in this league. As they are not very pleased with the performance against Kaiserslautern, coach Bommer mentioned some changes. He played 4-2-3-1 in the past but he wants to return to his system from beginning of the season where they had much success and this was 4-4-2. The options are there, according to some players who returned from injuries. For this Sanogo gets his partner back with Stiepermann who was long time out but had some minutes in the past matches and is fully fit now. May some changes in midfield as well but not as important maybe only that Farina is back after injury and strength them a lot for sure. The last change should be the defensive row where youngster Börner moves out for the more experienced Hünemeier. All in all Coach Bommer has almost the whole squad to choose from and the injury problems are gone now.

Unbeaten league leader Eintracht Braunschweig was a bit lucky against Ingolstadt, of course they won 3-0 but Ingolstadt was the much better side. Braunschweig tried to defend well and sit back for some counter attacks and were even very efficient. This decided this match for them, but nevertheless they did this like the whole season so far and success proves them right. But if their first opportunity ends not in a goal and they do not take the lead what they did in the past matches, it would be very interesting to see how the team react then. They have to change their style of play and open more and more options for their opponent. Ok, their home record is absolutely clean but away from home they showed some weakness and they are only 3-3-0 and 9-3-0 goals. No changes expected and Coach Lieberknecht gives the same starting eleven a chance who won against Ingolstadt. They miss again Correia, Kratz, Kluft, Henn, Petersch and Washausen but the last guys are all long term injured so far.

I am very keen on Energie Cottbus here, because they are strong enough at home and Braunschweig are not such dominat as at home soil and it opens a lot of opportunities for Energie today. It is almost the same, as in FSV - FCK match, sooner or later Braunschweig gets his first defeat. After so many matches unbeaten they are focussing not exactly also their concentration subsides. All these are hints and were also assigned. If they lose, it will be for sure away from home. In this case I try the DNB line on Cottbus which is very good in my eyes.

Recommend Bet: Energie Cottbus AHC 0 @ 2,09 (3 Units)

FSV Frankfurt - 1.FC Kaiserslautern

After some downtrend and maybe some unlucky lost matches against 1860 Munich or Dynamo Dresden, FSV Frankfurt want to be a very hard opponent for promotion candidate Kaiserslautern. Moreover they want to bother Kaiserslautern a bit and they are more and more focused on this encounter because they want to be the first team, who beat them. The situation is not such bad maybe, above all at home where they are very strong and hard to beat but they miss again a lot of important players. But I mentioned it several times already and almost every weekend, they had their biggest success with a long injury list. Maybe the players moves closer together and every player run more and fight more as they do with more options. Coach Möhlmann has to change a bit as central midfielder Start is suspended and Leckie, Yelen, Gaus, Gledson and Tosonoglu are injured. The only good information for them that captain Schlicke returns after suspension. 

Sure Kaiserslautern played a good season so far and they are still unbeaten, but sooner or later the day will come, where they get their first defeat. Maybe against FSV today, or maybe some weeks later. Let's hope that they are on the same level as the last matches, where they convince me not much. Also their coach said that they are to harmless in the last twenty minutes of the match. Both strikers Idrissou and Bunjaku are not anymore so dangerous at to begin of the season and they have to work harder for their goals or scoring opportunities. Maybe some of their opponents know how they be controlled. Additional it would be again a very hard match for them as the FSV stands very deep and for this they have not the space as they need maybe and also they need many ideas to break  through the defensive wall. As with Linsmayer one of the players for the double six is suspended, who takes Foda in a small squeeze on this position as not much left and therefore with Zellner and Borysiuk are set to play. Upfront they hope on Idrissou, Zuck, Baumjohann and Bunjaku to get the right outcome.

In my eyes I see this one as more closer as maybe others do because FSV is really a difficult opponent to play and as I take in mind their last performances where they are more than unlucky, it could be on their side maybe today. Also Kaiserslautern is unbeaten and their run is set to go to end sooner or later. For this I like the matchup here and I take the underdog and hopefully the Winner.

Recommend Bet: FSV Frankfurt AHC +0,25 @ 2,08 (3 Units)

Bayern München - Hannover 96

Leader Bayern München is in good shape, ok they got only 2 draws in the past but it is not easy to win in Nürnberg as I wrote last weekend and also with the many changes Coach Heynckes made. Also CL in Valencia by one of the strongest home teams it is not an easy task and with a draw both advanced. But overall Bayern is dominating the league this season very well and they are one of the dangerous sides as 33 scored goals showed, and on the other side they are very hard to beat as well, as in 12 matches they conceded only 5 goals. Defensive row worked well and they should do this again although Boateng is out and Badstuber replaced him in Valencia and maybe need some matches to be back on normal level. But it will be better from match to match. Also central midfielder with Gustavo is out but they have a lot players there as Martinez or Tymoschhuk and maybe Kross as well can play beside Schweinsteiger. After his national team trip Robben came back injured and is out again, but it is not such important as Müller replaced him very well to beginning of the season and he had some great matches too.

Hannover 96 on the other side are not the best traveller this season and they got only 2 wins by 3 loses. The wins are from their first and last matches they played this season, in Wolfsburg 4-0 and VfB Stuttgart 4-2. The others they showed not much and lost very easy, the only one where they should had get something was in derby against Hamburg. But overall they face a big disadvantage for this match as they played their EL match against Twente on Thursday while Bayern played already on Tuesday. So they have only 43 hours for rest and the next match starts. Maybe Slomka rotate a bit and give tired players some rest but it is not much possible and if we take a look at the stats in Munich they are more than horrible. They are 1-2-20 there and in their last 5 starts they are 0-0-5 by 2-20 goals. Not the best situation for them because they get trashed in Munich every year. Maybe the same happen again as the last results are 1-2 / 0-3 / 0-7 / 1-5 / 0-3.

I think Bayern should be focused on this encounter and they are able to return on winning track above all the less rest from Hannover is a huge disadvantage and also they are not able to stop Bayern in the past what is in their mind as well.

Recommend Bet: Bayern München AHC -2 @ 1,74

Jahn Regensburg - VfR Aalen

It seems that Regensburg is on a huge downtrend at the moment. They are not anymore such good in their defensive play as to beginning of the season. As the last matches showed. They are winless since 5 matches and in all these matches they conceded 2 goals or more. Overall one time 2 and 3 times 3 and one time 4. It is obvious where the big problem lies, but even the offensive are to harmless as well as they scored 1 / 2 / 1 / 0 / 2 and 3. Especially the match against Köln is to mentioned where they were 2-0 up but can not hold such a lead and they lost within a few minutes 2-3 in the end. This match is still in their minds as we saw against Ingolstadt as they lead and also against Union where they were even 2-0 up and then 2-3 down but came back with one men more to 3-3. If they take the lead and even the longer the match lasts players getting more nervous as they have in mind such situations from Köln and Union. And if they concede the first goal, more to come because they make mistake after mistake then. It is a must win match for them already if they want to keep in touch to the places above the red zone. Coach Gerber has a lot to do to get the heads of the players free to look forward. He has to replace some as Rahn, Djuricin and Kurz are out. Back wing Rahn is important for them above all his experience.

VfR Aalen is very dangerous away from home as they play only their counter attack style. All their opponents has much more ball possession as they. And even they are at the bottom of this category. But  nevertheless they are very successfully with their style of play as they collected a lot of points, ok they scored not much overall but this is not such important as they conceded also less. It is very hard to score against them and upfront they are always able to score as their fast players like Lechleitner, Dausch, Leandro and Klauß decides matches. Above all Klauß should be huge motivated for this encounter as he was one of the promotion heros for Regensburg last year. He did a very good job there and was very important. But his future is VfR Aalen now. Coach Hasenhüttl can not count on Hofmann suspended and Mössmer injured. But overall a very good squad to choose from.

I think both sides are very motivated and maybe it will be a very close and hard match .... big fight as well but maybe the team with the first bigger mistake will lose here.

Jahn Regensburg - Union Berlin

After Regensburg sucked their coach Corrochano, his interim successor Franz Gerber had also no success although they took the lead against Ingolstadt due to a big mistake from Ingolstadt's defender Gunesch. They played good then but Ingolstadt equalized and on the other side Regensburg with some luck as well because striker Sembolo played with hand and it should have been red for him and penalty for Ingolstadt but Refree did not see it. In the end Regensburg was conditionally down but they managed the comeback to 2-2 but lost very unlucky in the end due to some critical refree decisions. So it is all about today's match, they have to bounce back if they do not want to fall down at the bottom of the table, this can happen in any worth case scenario. Coach Gerber has not an easy task today because with both central defender Kamavaka and Laurito are out, one suspended the other injured. Also Wiegers should be again in goal, as Hofmann is not ready yet. He has to change a lot in defensive also the double six must be changed according to the suspension from Kotze. In Offensive maybe the same lineup as against Ingolstadt as they did their job well.

Union looked much better on the road as at home in the past. Maybe this is that they are not able to score at home while on the road they can go for their counter attacks and this helps them very much. Maybe also some missings here because Mattuschka was ill and maybe is out while central midfielder Karl is suspended. Coach Neuhaus has to wait and decides in the end on what system he counts and also on what players. Maybe some of them must move to a position that they never played before. All is possible but also many options are there for him too. Union should be focused on this match very well because they are not far away from the red zone and they need to earn some points too.

Hard fight expected above all from Regensburg but I am not sure if it will be enough in the end for a win.

MSV Duisburg - Erzgebirge Aue

Many excitement in and around the MSV these days. As many have already spoken of the bankrupt but they are working on a concept to solve the financial situaion. Maybe some of their patrons were able to rescue the MSV with their financial help. Let’s see what happen in the next days. Nevertheless Coach Runjaic and his team have to focus on the important match against Aue. This is almost a do or die match for them also according to their situation and also to step into the limelight for a potential financial help. With a win they can get in touch with the midfield of the table and in this case they can work a bit more relaxed and without such high pressure as this week or today. They go the first step last weekend at Köln with 0-0, although they played almost 70 minutes with 10 men because Bajic was sent off. For him Hoffmann move from his normal position in central midfield back in to central defensive row, while Pamic replace him on the double six. No more changes expected as the offensive showed some good actions against Köln and sooner or later they get what they deserved and they will be rewarded I am very confident about.

Sure Erzgebirge Aue is much more dangerous at home and they got many good results there while losing on the road many times by getting only one draw so far. This showed not all in my eyes because I saw a slight uptrend in the past matches and they played not such bad as the results said. Coach Baumann brings more and more an offensive lineup on the pitch and they want to play more to the front and put the opponent under pressure. After the good performance against leader Braunschweig with a 1-1 at home coach Baumann has no major worries to change something. The only one Savran is out but for him returns Sylvestr who was suspended against Braunschweig. Also in defensive where some are injured like Klingbeil is .... no problem, they play with injury, as they did in the past matches already.

Both teams are focused on this encounter and both do not want to lose for sure, but both also want the three points and I do not think that they sit back and play slow from beginning on. I expect more a hard fight on both sides and if we take in mind that both are very unstable in defensive where both conceded a lot it is not obvouis that goals comes here. If one of the teams take the lead, the match is wide open then and possible for more. GL

Recommend Bet: OVER 2,25 @ 1,80 (3 Units)

1.FC Nürnberg - Bayern München

This is a derby match, and it was not always easy for Bayern to win there. Although Nürnberg had huge problems infront of the goal and they scored less goals. Also they are not in the best moment and most of their points they got from the first matches. They were on a huge downtrend but stopped it against Wolfsburg at home with 1-0. They scored and keep a clean sheet what is normally obvious for Nürnberg. One week later they lost at Mainz 1-2 but showed some good action and their performance was not such weak. The only goal they scored was after a free kick, and this is maybe a weapon for them because they scored most of their goals with free kicks. Coach Hecking must replace his central midfielder Balitsch who is out with 5th yellow card, also Cohen, Hlousek and Mendler are long term injured. He mentioned that maybe Feulner will get the place and play on double six beside Simons.

Bayern Munich is high flying at the moment and they look almost unstoppable but sooner or later they come to a point where they lose some points. Normally it is not possible against Nürnberg today if we compare both sides but if we take a look on the squad, maybe. Bayern without Robben, but replaced from Müller very well, also Luiz Gustavo out, replaced by Martinez but was on international trip, maybe Tymohchuk plays there. Moreover Ribery is slight injured back from national team and travel with the team but maybe they rest him. It is not confirmed yet. Upfront with Mandzukic where Pizzaro and Gomez who returns today should be also an option. In defensive he has to change because with Boateng got a defender injured last match, also Badstuber should be not ready. Van Buyten is the man now beside Dante. As you can see, some changes for Bayern Munich and I think a bit to many .... maybe it needs a bit if they are in the match.

All in all a clear match for away side, but if I consider AHC +1,75 for home side, it is not groundless to put some money on it. If we remember the last matches against each other in Nürnberg it was always very close and Bayern had a lot of problems in the past there. Although they were huge favorite. Last season they came from an CL match and had big problems, this time they had several players on international trip. I think this HC should be worth to go against Bayern, but decide for your own.

Bor. M'Gladbach - VfB Stuttgart

With a lot of success last season they got a lot of confidence back from their fans and they are more then euphoric. But sometimes different times comes up and with their lose from important players like Reus, Neustädter and Dante almost their heart is lost. They were not able to replace them equal and in this case they are only average this season and additional with EL matches in their legs it is a very difficult situation as well. They lost a lot of their home strength from last season and they had a lot of problems in their own stadium. Also with problems in defensive, midfield and offensive. Many mistakes happen and they conceded almost in all matches so far. Upfront they are very limited as many of their players are not in the right condition now. Moreover coach Favre changed a lot and try to find the right possible lineup but maybe not found yet. And with Deams and de Jong they miss two important players again. This is the chance for some other guys here. They won against Fürth last weekend 4-2 but got also some help from refree with penalties and the red card for Fürth early in the match that they played against 10 mens. Against Stuttgart they have to work harder to achieve anything.

Although I wrote many times from the small squad as Stuttgart coach Labbadia has, they did very well away from home so far and they are very hard to beat anyway. They lost only the first match in Munich 1-6, the others are all in favor for them. Their defensive worked very well and they do not concede a single goal in the past 3 matches and upfront they are always able to create something and score with striker Ibisevic. This guy needs not much, he is very dangerous and work also much for the team. With Audel, Didavi, Hoogland, Torun and Cacau miss Stuttgart a lot of players but they replaced them in the past matches very well and should be able to bring a good lineup on the pitch. Central midfielder Kvist should return into starting lineup after his flu while Tasci is a slight questionmark but for him Maza is an equal replacement.

Both teams are EL starter for Germany and in this case both are with almost the same number of matches in their legs. For this I expect a very close match and maybe the team with the luck on their side will win maybe. As Stuttgart did very well in the past away matches where they allowed less I think they are worth a try. Gladbach are to unstable in their performances.

Recommend Bet: VfB Stuttgart AHC +0,25 @ 1,85 (3 Units)

1860 München - 1.FC Köln

1860 started well and was under the top 5 for long time but in the past they showed some weakness and fall down in the table. They got only 4 out of 15 and in this case they are in some crisis. Coach Maurer has not many players who can replaced equal and in this case some of them are a bit tired. Also they had some signings who disappointed a lot. Above all Blanco, who played not often and scored no goal so far. Ok, they won the last match in Frankfurt by FSV but it was very very lucky. They scored a lucky goal and thanks to keeper Kiraly who had an excellent day and saved them many times. If they want to climb a bit in the table or hold the distance to third place they have to win this encounter. At home with 3-2-1 and 10-4 goals not bad but with bad results in the past. Normally they are hard to beat in Allianz Arena and they conceded not much, 3 goals from the above mentioned 4 came in the last two matches. I think this said all at the moment. Maybe they worked on the problems during the week and they can stop it. We will see.

While Köln played good football at least to the beginning of the season, it is more than awful at the moment. Above all their last matches against Aalen 0-2 and Duisburg 0-0 where they were one man more over at least 70 minutes but created nothing and played more or less to slow. Without any ideas it bordered on a playful revelation. Almost all their attacks are played without any pace and without creativity. Sure it is not always possible against deep standing opponents but as a club with such high ambitions we should expect much more. As we saw against Worms, they are very weak at the moment and they had huge problems to create something and their chances was more or less random. In this case we have to expect some changes for the match against 1860 Munich. Coach Stanislawski wants to bring more activity in his team action and for this maybe Jajalo gets a chance again but he failed often in the past. But he trained very good this week and should get a chance from beginning on, the second one maybe is Ishak who trained also well. It is not out yet if Stanislawski plays again with 3 mens on sixer position or gets more offensive focused. The only good thing maybe they are not the favorite in this match and they can go for counter attacks, for the first time. Maybe it is better for them as they can react more and get more space then.

No important missings on both sides but both a bit out of form. Very important would be which team take the lead in this one and if any side leads it would be very hard for the other side to strike back.

I let this one open until a few minutes before kick off and decide then if I take a bet on any team here. Let's see what happen :-)

Dynamo Dresden - FSV Frankfurt

After last results, Dresden and their coach Loose are under huge pressure. If we give something on the newspapers around Dresden it is almost the last chance for Loose to keep his job as Dynamo coach alive. Otherwise he should be fired after the match. Their last performances were very weak and they had a lot of mistakes or missed a lot of their opportunities. They conceded some goals very easy and looked not very well balanced in defensive. Also their offensive had a lot of problems. Against Cottbus where they lost 0-2 their fans was very angry and they stopped the Team-Bus. I do not think that they can allow such a weak performance again above all before their huge crowd at home. Normally they played a bit better there and will be pushed a lot too. In this case they plays more open and give his opponent a lot of space as they did against Union. But anyway, I do not think that they are without a single goal again, they get their chances and they score for sure. I am very confident about. And if they can take the lead some more goals will come for them as well.

Surprise team FSV Frankfurt arrive in Dresden for the encounter on Friday. They are some points ahead of Dresden and they can play a bit more relaxed as their opponent. But as the whole season coach Möhlmann has a lot of problems again. We remember, they had a lot of injured players to beginning of the season and they got a lot of points. Some of them returned in the past but more and more they face huge injury problems again. With Gledson, Yelen, Gaus and Tosunoglu are 4 players long term injured while Schlicke is suspended again. Also with Konrad, Heitmeier they have two players very doubtful. But this is not all because with Roshi and Leckie are two players on international trip. They return very late above all Leckie who has to travel from Seoul to Dresden. His flight takes several hours and he should be very tired of course. Coach Möhlmann mentioned that the personal situation is not the best but they try to bring a good lineup on the pitch. As we know from some matches in the past, they are much more dangerous in such bad times. Moreover they played very well against 1860 Munich and where the much better side but missed a lot fo their chances. I do not think that they have such a bad day again infront of the goal.

The signs are very different for this encounter, Dresden with 4 loses in a row and in very bad shape while FSV face huge injury problems. Also some problems in defensive if Konrad and Heitmeier are not available. I am very sure that Dresden scores in this encounter and if they score one, the other goals come for sure too. Also FSV is set for their counter attacks …… I like the goals in this match even.

Recommend Bet: OVER 2,25 @ 1,79

FC St. Pauli - VfL Bochum

Very interesting situation at both clubs as both changed their coach and both are on an uptrend after that. While Frontzeck was on bench in the last 4 matches, stands Neitzel before his third match as headcoach.

With new coach Frontzeck St. Pauli are unbeaten in 2.BL, they lost only the Cup match against Stuttgart. The league matches were very successful as they got a draw at Paderborn where they lead for long time and conceded the equalizer late, at home against Dresden they were 0-2 down but with fantastic comeback to a 3-2 win, and an easy win at 1860 Munich with 2-0 where they got not much in the past. They are for sure in an uptrend and they are more able to put a lot of pressure on their opponent according to their new style of play. Also they are able to create a lot and score additional. But overall with all their success in the past matches their self confidence is back. With this you can be more relaxed and play more easy. Unfortunately, not everything is good, because with Mohr and Boll he has to replace two important players wherefore some changes are expected. Replacement for both above mentioned players should be back wing Avevor maybe move to the middle in central position while Kalla come in and plays as back wing. Funk takes the place from Boll and plays beside from Kringe on the double six. The offensive was good in the past and showed good form but maybe he changes here too. With Bartels he has an option more after returning from injury who trained very well this week and maybe gets a chance here for Buchtmann or Gogia. It is not comfirmed yet.

After Bergmann was fired Neitzel took over and advanced in Cup and also got a draw last weekend against Cottbus where they are absolutely dead after 0-2 but had an absolutely famous comeback in the end and scored a late equalizer. Maybe this gave them a lot of confidence and also self confidence back. The motivation should be high as well but overall Bochum hardly score. They played very well in some situation but with less success and looked very harmless infront of the goal. Sure sometimes they are very unlucky in some matches but it is not all about luck, it is more disability from some players. Some changes must be made because with first keeper Luthe is out again and will be replaced from Heerwagen as in the past. Also important defender Sinkiewicz who was in great form is suspended. For him maybe Dabrowski or Kramer comes in, with tendency to Dabrowski. Defensive row should be the same but in offensive he has some options as Delura and Iashvili maybe move in while Freier and Engelbrecht must be on bench then. And upfront with Dedic who got some extra motivation as new father now.

VfB Stuttgart - Hannover 96

I wrote often about Suttgart in the past and it has not changed much. They have a very small squad available but they did better in the past matches and got some imp. points. Above all on the road they had much more success as at home in the past. But anyway they managed to win their first match at home against Frankfurt 2-1 with a late goal from Ibisevic. Maybe this give them much more self confidence now and also the match against Dortmund and in Kopenhagen helps additional. Stuttgart is a team who plays offensive at home and in this case they can create some with their dangerous players but above all Ibisevic is always able to score. On the other side they conceded in almost all matches at home and it is not such a stable defensive. They do not found the right balance at home so far and they have to work on it.

It seems a bit different for Hannover 96 if they play at home or away from home. They did much better at home in the past. On the road they won only their first match with 4-0 against Wolfsburg and losing all their 3 coming away matches with conceding 7. Do not know why because they have some good players in their rows, also they love normally to play their counter style. Maybe their were not so focused in the past matches but they showed some good actions. If I compare the match in Hamburg or against Frankfurt they were not much weaker but they missed to often a lot. Maybe the return of top striker Diouf can help more. He is in great shape and showed some of his skills in Cup against Dresden and also in EL against Helsingborg. This EL match showed Hannover’s form and problems very well, upfront they are always able to score some but in defensive they are to often to careless and give many opportunities to their opponents and maybe let them comebcak into the match.

I expect an open match where both go for the 3 points. Also both had matches under the week and which also have impact on the freshness and fitness of the players  the longer the match lasts. Therefore I expect a few mistakes on both sides when the power and concentration decreases and thus we can hope for some goals.

Recommend Bet: OVER 2,75 @ 1,83 (3 Units)

FC Ingolstadt 04 - Jahn Regensburg

High flying Ingolstadt played a good season so far and they are only 3 points behind third place. Their aim is anyway sooner or later 1.Bundesliga and with the Audi Group in their back they can work very easy and has no financial problems. In this case they signed some very good guys who played already in 1.Bundesliga. Sure some of them are older but for 2.Bundesliga they are very good. Maybe many saw that the record is not the best at home in their „Audi Sportpark“ and they collected most of their points away from home where they can go for their dangerous counter attacks. Maybe this can change a bit today because I expect a very deep playing Regensburg side but they should be able to find some way to beat them. From their players it is a huge advantage for sure but you have to take in mind that this one is a derby. The first matches at home were not so well and they was up against Cottbus 2-0 but it ended 2-2, also against FSV 0-2 and against 1860 0-2. In these 3 matches they conceded 6 but in the other 3 only 2. Coach Oral has found his team and they know now what he has to do. In this case they are very hard to beat and they conceded in the past 4 matches only one single goal. The defensive worked very well and they are able upfront to score as well as 5 goals showed. No imp. injury problems.

Huge trouble in Regensburg this week. They fired their coach Corrochano and as new coach took manager Gerber over. He is on bench until winter-break. In the break they want search for a new ambitious coach. But some rounds to play and the first match from new man on the line Gerber is just the derby against Ingolstadt. It is not an easy task for them overall if you took a look on former matches and how the team was presenting herself. It is not all bad there but their trend more goes down as up. Their squad is not as big as they can choose from a lot, it is more that they have problems now according to their injury list. Important players like captain and defender head Laurito is out, also back wing Rahn with huge experience, Djuricin who is on loan from Hertha also out. Maybe 1st keeper Hofmann returns today but he had a lot of mistakes in the past anyway. It seems that Gerber has a lot to do to form a new starting lineup and bring some motivation and self confidence back. Also as I wrote many times about Jahn Regensburg, they are playing well in some situations and create also some good things but they are more or less to harmless upfront. They scored only 12 goals in 12 matches and overall with 5 from Sembolo they are to predictable. Moreover if you take a look at the last 4 matches they scored only 4 goals but conceded 11 !!! If they can not stop this they are for sure the loser today. As I saw the lineup who are in the starting lineup today I am not very convinced about it because with Amachaibou (to slow), Haag (played not such good so far) and Kurz (returned last weekend after long injury time ... not ready overall in my eyes) he wants to bring 3 new guys and change an unsettled team again.  

Normally it is clear, a team who played well with huge self confidence who are very hard to beat against a team who is very confused and also has some missings and additional score not much ..... which would you trust?

Bayern München - Eintracht Frankfurt

Let's hope for the next Bayern GOAL Dance !!!

Record Champion Bayern Munich is in great shape at the moment. After losing a bit unlucky their first home match against Leverkusen 1-2 they got immediately back on track and they played really great soccer. They are rolling at the moment and overcome their opponents very easily. All players have a lot of fun like Ribery, Müller, Kroos, Alaba, Schweinsteiger who are in absolutely great form. Although Coach Heynckes rotates a lot, it makes almost no difference who is on the pitch. They work very well and they work together and one of the important fact additional: They have a lot of fun. He changed 9 players in Cup against Kaiserslautern and they won easy, then they played at Hamburg where he changed back to normal and they overcome HSV easy and some days ago, they won 6-1 in CL against Lille where it was never in danger and Lille has never a chance in this encounter. They are scoring for free and play great and offensive soccer, they press and push a lot from beginning on and allow not many opportunities against them. All in all it is hard to play against them.

As I wrote many times in the past, newcomer Eintracht Frankfurt played a great season so far and they had a lot of success recently as well. It is more a team who think more offensive as defensive and Caoch Veh mentioned that he does not change this and he let them play. Sure they are successful with it but in the past they lost a bit of their power and their freshness is gone. They do not win so easy and they had also some problems to score at the moment. Also they give a lot of space to their opponent and were wide open in defensive. Against Fürth, it was shown very often and if Fürth use only one of their great opportunities they should have won deserved. They were the clear better team but waste a lot and Frankfurt had the luck on their side to get at least a draw. If they continue playing like the past two matches they will get a lot of problems against giant Bayern Munich.

All in all a clear situation, Bayern lost their last league home matches against Leverkusen and I am sure they will not lose again and also against newcomer Frankfurt who are in a bad moment. In form team, with huge self confidence and motivation against a team with downtrend, who lost their strength and missing freshness they should be able to overcome them. Above all if Frankfurt gives a lot of space to Bayern, it would be more difficult to get here anything. Clear home win. 

Recommend Bet: Bayern München AHC -2 @ 1,85 (3 Units)

FSV Mainz 05 - 1.FC Nürnberg

After starting a bit weak into the new season they were in a good moment in the past. With some wins they climbed in table and advanced in Cup. This series was stopped a bit unlucky last Sunday against Bremen where they lost due to a free kick by Aron Hunt. Keeper Wetklo made not the best figure there. Also Ivantschitz missed some good chances and in the end they had nothing but normally they deserved a point at least. Their other Series continue at home so far. After losing their first home match to Fürth 0-1 they won three in a row now and conceded not a single goal in these. Above all long injured striker Szalai is back and he is in great form and score and score. He is very hard to stop and very dangerous too. Also beside him with Ivanschitz they have a good man who can create a lot and also bring some dangerous into their play as well. In defensive they working very well too and they are very hard to beat there. Not available are Bungert, Choupo-Moting, Caligiuri, H. Müller and Klasnic.

At their opponent it was the other way, they won twice at beginning of the season and collected a point against champion Borussia Dortmund and then to remain winless in six matches before they won against Wolfsburg with 1-0 on the weekend. In this long time Coach Hecking tried and changed a lot but without success. They are to unstable in defensive and additional hardly score. They try a lot to create something but it is very harmless and if they get some good opportunities they miss big. If we take a look at the stats of Nürnberg it says all. Overall they won twice on the road but it was long time ago, also they scored 5 goals but 4 of them in their first two matches this season. They are without a single goal on the road in their last 4 matches. Overall not good enough and far to less to achieve anything. FCN miss 1st keeper Schäfer, Marcos Antonio, Cohen, Hlousek, Mendler and Stephan.

Therefore why trust a team without any positive background, in this case FSV Mainz 05 should be the much better choice here. They are able to create some dangerous situations and also score. If they can bring only some of them they brought in the past matches they should win this above all if they score twice, Nürnberg should not be able to exceed. Maybe they can score one, but never two. Futhermore Mainz failed only once to score in 10 matches this season. So I have the bigger trust in Mainz here.

Recommend Bet: FSV Mainz 05 AHC -0,75 @ 2,12 (3 Units)     

SV Sandhausen - Hertha BSC Berlin

Newcomer SV Sandhausen started average into the season but collected much more points at beginning as in the past weeks. They are more or less on a huge downtrend and with many injuries they can not field their best  lineup anyway. If not all work together as team it is very hard to get points in this close league. Above all at home they have to get rewarded because away from home they are much much weaker. Overall they played only average or weak teams table wise. With FSV Frankfurt, Union, Dresden, Regensburg, Aalen and MSV they faced teams maybe on their level but got only an even outcome with 2-2-2 and 6-6 goals. It is more to less as they can say it is enough because the bigger opponents come in the future now. The first one with promotion candidate Hertha BSC Berlin on Friday. If their performance increase not much they are without any doubt with no chance here. They have to improve a lot, if defensive or offensive, just everything. In their 6 home matches they scored only 1 time 2 goals, the other only 1 or zero but allowed in 4/6 goals. And against Hertha I think it would be not much easier and they get under huge pressure and it is impossible to predict whether they can withstand these.
For this match they miss Dorn, Schulz, Halfar and Fießer. And the last news was that 1st keeper Ischdonat can not play today.

It is time to strike back for Hertha BSC after two draws in a row. They played not such bad that 3 points were not possible in the past but they even missed it. In this case they should be able to find a way to get back on track and win matches again. Although they miss a lot again with Holland, Ben Hatira, Janker, Lasogga, Radjabali-Fardi, Franz and Kobiashvili Coach Luhukay can count on the same lineup as in the past matches. They are huge favorite in this match and they should be able to push and press a lot, so that they get some nice and dangerous situation to score. But it is not at least their offensive, also their defensive do better and better from match to match and with Lustenberger and Brooks they are very hard to beat as the last matches showed. In their first 6 matches they conceded 8 goals while in the last 6 only 4. Coach Luhukay and his team has found each other now and they understand his tactical system too. On paper they are the much better team and they should have the much better players in their rows. Experience and self confidence also on their side. All in all a clear advantage, hope they can use it.

I know, once again I prefer Hertha BSC but we drove so well with them against Braunschweig where they were much better and deserved more than a draw. If we compare the two teams (Sandhausen and Hertha BSC), there can only be one winner here, so big is the difference.

Recommend Bet: Hertha BSC Berlin AHC -1 @ 2,14 (3 Units)

1.FC Kaiserslautern - Erzgebirge Aue

Lautern's captain Bunjaku is not available !!

For 1.FC Kaiserslautern it is very important to win this match today. All of their direct rivals (Hertha BSC, Energie Cottbus) for promotion lost points and this is their chance to overcome both and climb up to second place. But overall not an easy task for them above all at home where they collected only 2 wins out of 6 matches so far. But this is not the only problem for coach Foda, he has a lot to do to bring a good lineup on the pitch. They miss a lot of important players for this encounter, because with de Wit, Alushi, Bunjaku, Borysiuk, Micanski, Yahia and Azaouagh are 7 players not available. They had some hope that Azaouagh can return into the squad but after the Cup match in Muinch where he gave his comeback after long injury his muscle problems are back and stop him for today again. For all this reasons Coach Foda has to change a lot and according to his statement he wants to change the whole double six because Enis Hajri played in Munich but he moves out to the bench and therefore young talented Steven Zellner and Denis Linsmayer are in. Also Zuck is back and return into starting lineup as wing, on the other side should play Fortounis and create some. Playmaker Baumjohann is intended to help the lone striker upfront Idrissou.

Erzgebirge Aue with an uptrend in the past 3 matches where they are unbeaten. They collected their first point away from home at Munich by 1860 and won twice at home with 9-2 goals. But knocked out of the Cup with 0-2 at Mainz. After this match coach Baumann has some problems above all in central defensive where all 3 defenders with Nickenig, Paulus and Klingbeil probably are out. For the last one Klingbeil maybe it is some hope that he can play but it is not much. According to Aue’s news young player Dominic Rau is set as central defender and beside him is a big questionmark. Two options has Baumann in mind. First one should be 20 years old Müller from second team, second one is Marc Hensel who normal plays in central midfield and is more needed there as fighter but is not decided yet. The offensive should be the same as in the past matches where they scored 10 goals in 3 matches.

Both teams with some problems and for this reasons we have to look what team can handle it better. Sure Kaiserslautern for their excellent crowd should be pushed a lot but they failed also to often in the past matches. With so many players unavailable, a quality loss is conceivable.

Bayer Leverkusen - Fortuna Düsseldorf

Very hard to beat, keeper Giefer from Düsseldorf

This is an encounter where both teams played in Cup under the week and both andvance after Extre time. Seems no advantage for one side fitness wise. They should be all a bit tired maybe or it need some time if their legs are fresh enough, as we saw yesterday at Hannover where they need some minutes but after that they managed their job.

Ok Bayer Leverkusen managed some nice wins in the past, they won in EL 4-0 away from home and also after 23 years without any win in Munich they won there 2-1. Sure a bit lucky in the end but win is win and this count. In Cup against 3rd league team Bielefeld they were the better team but it was very hard for there and advanced only in Extra time. The other side of them is that they are not able to keep this level for a long time and they very unstable from time to time. Above all at home it was not much from Bayer in the past matches. They dominated the beginning of the match against Mainz but in 2nd half they were far away from their normal level and was very lucky in the end to get a draw. I know, some of you think that this win in Munich said more about the strength of this team but I am a bit different opinion. Leverkusen has much problems if they must make the match and can not go for their counter style of play with open space for Schürle, Castro, Kießling. Exatly this, what they did in Munich, do Düsseldorf today. They are defending very deep and they have to show if they can break through the wall. I doubt, that it can be so easy for them. With Bellarabi, Leno, Kadlec they miss three players from starting lineup normally.

Fortuna Düsseldorf played a good season so far. They are very hard to beat above all away from home where they conceded only one single goal so far but scored 4. They play a very defensive style and they are hard working every match. Additional the win in Cup gave them self confidence and motivation back after 2 hard loses at home against Bayern 0-5 and Wolfsburg 1-4. After this matches Coach Meier takes more focuse on the defensive play again and they did it already very well again against Gladbach 0-0 after 90. mins in Cup. They allowed not many chances for their opponent and I think they do it so to Leverkusen. With Fink suspended, Bruno Soares and Malezas are 3 players out for Fortuna.

All in all I can not understand such a big move on the market. It is not a match like Bayern – Leverkusen where they have many space for their counters, this is a different one. They have to push and Fortuna defends and go for counter. Leverkusen was not able in the past against such playing teams to score much or get many. They are to unflexible against teams like this.

Recommend Bet: Fortuna Düsseldorf AHC +1,5 @ 2,02 (3 Units)

1899 Hoffenheim - FC Schalke 04

Hope for a big fight from Hoffenheim !!!

Ok sure, I wrote often in the past from the problems Hoffenheim had but I think I give them a try today. They are a bit better at home in their own stadium and after many talks the players know now what the situation is. They have to work as a team on the pitch and give all for the team. Against Fürth they were a bit unlucky in the end as they got the equalizer in last second but sooner or later it turns for them, maybe today. Player wise they are a good team but they miss to show it so far. Their only imp. missings are Salihovic with suspension and Vukcevic after accident.

The bavaria hunters from Schalke 04 wants the next win and for this coach Stevens rested a lot of players under the week in Cup against Sandhausen where they won easy 3-0. The only problem after so many matches the players lost their rythmn. According to their style they play saturday, wednesday and now rested. I think they need some minutes that they are back in business. This assessment is only by me but it can happen for sure. Schalke should have all imp. players ready, only Höger is out who had some minutes in the past.

Sure normally is this a clear thing for Schalke but they always had problems there in the past and never won at Hoffenheim since they are in BL. Maybe in this one it can happen a surprise today. I hope so.

Recommend Bet: 1899 Hoffenheim AHC +0,75 @ 1,83 (3 Units)

Borussia Dortmund - VfB Stuttgart

What a bad start for Dortmund, maybe their concentration was to much on CL and they lost some percent for the league. But all should be good now according to their last results they are on a good way. They won against Real Madrid, at Freiburg and at Aalen under the week their Cup match. Against Aalen coach Klopp rested some players for the upcoming matches. But they should return against Stuttgart into the starting lineup. However at home they are very strong, lost only to big rival Schalke 04 but the other matches are all won very easy and they scored very well too. I think that no one can stop Reus, Götze, Lewandowski, only they themself. Out for them are only Kuba and Bender while Owomoyela is long term injured and anyway no option for Klopp in the past.

VfB Stuttgart run out a very easy win against Pauli 3-0, it was decided at half time already. Also they stopped Eintracht Frankfurt where they scored a late winner. They are on track more or less maybe. Success help to put their problems behind and get more focused and with more self confidence on upcoming matches. They have huge injury problems and with only 16 players available coach Labbadia can not change a lot. They miss with Torun, Cacau, Didavi, Audel, Boka and Bah (no option anymore under Labbadia)  a lot. Back wing Sakai has also some problems and was rested against Pauli, Holzhauser too. For Sakai maybe plays young Rüdiger as he did in Cup already, also defender Tasci is doubtful, in this case Maza take the place beside Niedermeier.

It is very hard not to see any goals in this encounter, they producing much in the past and it is sure that Stuttgart gets more trouble as against St. Pauli .... and with many matches in their legs it could be that they make more mistakes and Dortmund is one of the teams in this league who can take advantage about.

Recommend Bet: OVER 3 @ 1,73 (3 Units)

MSV Duisburg - FSV Frankfurt

Zebras at the bottom of the table and they knocked out of the Cup under the week against 3rd league team from KSC. They lost 0-1 in an absolutely boring match, both sides created not much and also were far away to score normally, the only goal was after a free kick in the end of the match. At their league matches MSV showed a small uptrend and they were able to score in 3 from the last 4 matches. This give a little bit more hope at the moment because they are not known as a high scoring team at the moment. But most of their players upfront are back after injury and need some matches but they are on a good way. If they want to leave the bottom zone they have to risk some and maybe play more offensive as they do or did in other games. They chances is there, because with a win they overcome 4 teams. I think they know this and they want to push a lot at beginning.

Also FSV Frankfurt knocked out from Cup but they lost to VfL Wolfsburg who are on a better way now after Magath is fired. They played solid there but had no chance anyway. They can concentrate on the league now and they are on a good position at the moment. They collected a lot of points so far and after three matches without a win they won against Jahn Regensburg with 10 men 3-1. With Schlicke and Gledson they miss both central defenders. Also Yelen, Gaus, and Tosunoglu are injured, sure they are away longer so far but the situation is better as in some other matches.

I like the goals here, because both teams played cup matches and both should be a bit tired in the end and in this case some mistakes will come for sure and open this for some goals anyway.

Recommend Bet: OVER 2,25 @ 1,82 (3 Units)

Eintracht Braunschweig - SV Sandhausen

Last weekend we oppose Eintracht Braunschweig in order to their great home stats from 5-0-0, because sooner or later every team failed. We were right with and they got only a 1-1 draw. They were the much weaker side in this encounter against giant and promotion candidate Hertha BSC Berlin. Berlin created much more and was the much dangerous side here but had not the luck on their side to win this one. Also against SC Freiburg under the week they knocked out from Cup and lost very easy 0-2. This was maybe the mistake of the Eintracht coach because he changed some in his squad. I do not think that he does the same mistake against bottom team from Sandhausen. They should return to their normal style of play and also to their normal starting eleven. The only blow should be the injury from defender Correija who got injured against Freiburg and is not available while Kluft, Henn, Kratz and Petersch are long term injured. The others are ready and Coach Lieberknecht count on Davari, Boland and Kumbela again after they were only on bench in Cup. Ecactly after two not so good matches they should be motivated enough to get back on track and also their excellent supporters help a lot too. Additional big home strength, good offensive and with 2 goals conceded their defensive is one of the best in 2.BL. Moreover they won against bottom teams like Bochum and Duisburg very easy at home.

Sandhausen hosts Schalke 04 at Veltins Arena and at the beginning it looks like that they are only to visiting the great Arena. They played very bad and with no self confidence. It seems to huge was their respect from Schalke and the stadium and their supporters. After some minutes the match was decided after Schalke 04 took the lead and in the following minutes Sandhausen did not find the way to a dangerous attempt infront of Schalke’s goal. They provided the same harmless performance against bottom team MSV Duisburg at home, and they lost also deserved 0-2. In the whole 90 minutes they had only 2-3 dangerous attempts nothing more, it is much to less for a home team and also if you need to collect points. Weeks ago they had problems with many injured players, some of them are back and on the way back but their play remain static. They conceded a lot away from home and scored only 3 goals so far in their 5 away matches. All in all a lot to do but to many problems, what should coach Dais force? Working on offensive or on defensive .... maybe he wants both but with less time according to their shedule.

Recommend Bet: Eintracht Braunschweig AHC -1,25 @ 1,70 (3 Units)

Recommend Bet: OVER 2,75 @ 1,89 (3 Units)

Jahn Regensburg - SC Paderborn

After a good start into new season Jahn Regensburg is back in relegation trouble and as many experts said that they have to fight until the end of the season but with an unknown finish so far. Also their performances were not the best in the past three matches where they lost all. Against Aue 1-3 it was deserved and they had no real chance but against Köln they was 2-0 up and lost within 5-7 minutes because of some mistakes from keeper Hofmann and so on they conceded 3. Moreover they played almost 60 minutes with one man more against FSV Frankurt but lost 1-3. Many problems at the moment for Jahn Regensburg and also with these big lose against Köln they are more a bit down as they want to admit. Their biggest problems are their defensive where their best player and captain Laurito got injured, he was the head of the defensive and no one can replace him so far. A big miss anyway for Regensburg because he is not back so quick. The next one should be the offensive, the only dangerous striker is Sembolo and he is always alone upfront, ok, he did a great job so far and scored already 5 goals but it is to less. They creating good opportunities but waste with it or missed it feeble like Djuricin did against Köln. The whole team is not dangerous enough and in this case they are not able to win matches, or if they concede they get very nervous as we saw against Köln. It is very hard to trust them at the moment and with all their problems they have to work hard to get out of these. In addition I read that keeper Hofmann and left back Rahn could not train so far and they face a late test on matchday. If both are out, it could be hard to replace them equal.

Paderborn is unbeaten in their past three matches and they scored in all their  six away matches at least one goal. Their defensive worked very well and if they can go over their fast counter attacks they can create always some dangerous situations. They had a lot against Union Berlin above all in the first half but they missed all. In second half they scored a very nice goal and won deserved 1-0. It is very hard to play against Paderborn at the moment, they work well and what is important as team. Some of their young players push a lot and they want to commend herself for higher duties. The only matches they lost away from home so far was against Braunschweig and Cottbus and both with 2-1. As you can see, it is very hard to score against them and not many teams managed it above all twice. I think they have really a chance at Regensburg if they can hold their form and their play like in the past. I doubt that Regensburg can score twice. For this I like the DNB option here on Paderborn very well.

Recommend Bet: SC Paderborn AHC 0 @ 1,92 (3 Units)

Hertha BSC Berlin - FC Ingolstadt 04

As I wrote already last weekend, Hertha started bad but turn things around and they found their form and system to compete in 2.BL. The aim is clearly stated with returning to 1.BL. They are on the way with huge motivation and self confidence in their bag. All the problems are gone at the moment although they miss some players again here but, however, every new player who came in, did his job very well, and it is not necessary what age the player has. Coach Luhukay work with young talented players and he knows when he can trust them or not. With Niemeyer (suspended) and Ben Hatira (injured) they miss again two imp. players but they have the deepness in their squad to replace them. They was the better side against Braunschweig and pushed a lot but had not the luck on their side although they got a draw in the end but it was even more possible. And at home they are very hard to beat anyway with an excellent record so far. They won 4 in a row now and they are always able to score some goals while they concede not much.

German soccer experts sais it already, that they should keep an eye on FC Ingolstadt this season. They signed some excellent players and if they work as team they can reach a lot this season, also promotion is possible. They showed it already and they are only 2 points behind 3rd place and only 3 points behind 2nd placed team Hertha BSC Berlin. They are unbeaten on the road so far and they are very hard to play additional. They play very well and controlled in defensive and upfront with some excellent players they are always able to score some. But if we take a look at their opponents at the road, they played no top team so far. With 13.Pauli 1-1 (was a bit lucky), 9.Paderborn 3-1, 14.Dresden 1-0, 17.Bochum 1-1, 18.Duisburg 2-0 are only teams from lower position at the moment. Therefore Hertha BSC is a different caliber and a first serious heavy test fort he newly formed team. In this encounter they can prove what they are able to afford. But all in all, sooner or later they suffered their first defeat away and according to their luck sometimes it is possible today.

Recommend Bet: Hertha BSC Berlin AHC -1 @ 1,90 (3 Units)