TSG Hoffenheim-Werder Bremen
Rhein-Neckar Arena
Sunday, 14th March 2010 – kickoff 15:30

TSG Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim were stunned against Mainz last week at home and they lost 1-0 which left them sitting in the mid-table at the 11th spot with 32 points and are safe for now.

The team failed to live up to the expectations this season and they will probably finish the season near the mid-table which relieves them from pressure for the remainder of the season.

The team is currently in a very bad form as they have won only two times in the last twelve matches. Hoffenheim also have only one win, four defeats and two draws in the last seven home matches.

Rangnick often uses offensive formation with three strikers, but for this match probably the line up will be with two attackers with Carlos Eduardo and Vedad Ibisevic up front, who has been in good form recently. Josip Simunic will command with the defense and Sejad Salihovic and Luiz Gustavo will take their positions in the midfield.

The team has trouble with many injured players so Coach Ralf Rangnick once again can not count on few regular starters such as Chinedu Obasi, Andreas Beck and Isaac Vorsah who still have not recovered from their injuries.

Werder Bremen

Werder Bremen were very dangerous especially in the first half against Valencia in the Europa League and got a fairly good result 1-1 which gives them hope that they can progress further.

In the Bundesliga, they are currently on a good run with five matches being undefeated (three wins and two draws) but prior that good run they had a series of five straight losses.

One of the reasons for the team`s good run is the fantastic form of the striker Claudio Pizarro who has already managed to score 20 times for the team this season (ten goals in the Europa league and ten in the Bundesliga). Marko Marin is also a great striker, very fast and dangerous and he will be in the starting line up in the attack as well. Naldo will be used as offensive midfielder and interesting fact is that although he is a defensive player he has managed to score thirteen times so far in the Bundesliga.

Coach Schaaf can not count on services of Sebastian Boenisch (lacks fitness) and Peter Niemeyer (muscle problems).

The Betting Verdict

These two teams have met three times in the league so far with Werder Bremen winning twice and one match ended in draw. The first match between these teams this season ended in 2-0 win for Werder Bremen at home and they also have beaten Hoffenheim 2-1 in the DFB Cup this year.

Werder Bremen might be a bit tired from the clash against Valencia, but i still think that they have more quality then their opponents and should get the job done. Werder Bremen are in better form and Hoffenheim struggles this second part of the season and it seems like they just wait for this season to come to an end.

Werder Bremen are in pursuit of a place for Europe next season and they are currently 11 points behind the Champions league spot and three points behind Europa league place. Hoffenheim will try to make up for the recent losses but against Werder Bremen that will not be an easy task to do. If Werder Bremen scores first i think they will cruise to an easy victory here.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

TSG Hoffenheim-Werder Bremen 1-3

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Away win for Werder Bremen