German Bundesliga
2010-05-01 - Bayer Leverkusen vs Hertha Berlin
A Sports Betting Pick by Niko
Football : Germany : Bundesliga
Venue : Bay Arena
Saturday, 01st May 2010 – kickoff 15:30
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen got back to winning last week with their 3-0 win over Hannover 96 which was their first win after negative streak of five matches without a win (four defeats and one draw match).
The team will fight in the last two rounds to get to the third and last place that leads in the Champions league qualifications which is currently occupied by Werder Bremen with 57 points who have a better goal difference than Bayer Leverkusen at the fourth place. Borussia Dortmund are also breathing at their necks with 56 points at the fifth place, so the last two rounds will bring very exciting matches.
Good news for the team is that the striker Stefan Kiessling got back in his good form as he is the best Bundesliga striker so far with 21 goals scored. He had also scored five times in the last four matches.
Coach Jupp Heynckes once again can not count on long time injured Renato Augusto and Simon Rolfes but all other players are available for selection. Tranquillo Barnetta is back in the midfield after serving one match suspension for yellow cards.
Probable Bayer Leverkusen line-up :
Castro, M. Friedrich, Hyypiä , Kadlec ,
Vidal, Reinartz , Barnetta , Kroos ,
Kiessling , Derdiyok
Hertha Berlin
Hertha Berlin were really unfortunate last week when they lost 1-0 at home against Schalke 04 in the last minute of the match. That loss was their 15 match in a row without a home win and probably it sealed their destiny this season as they are almost certain to drop out. Even if they record two wins in the last two matches it is highly unlikely that they will stay up.
Coach Friedhelm Funkel can not count on Roman Hubnik (rehab after knee surgery) and Florian Kringe (broken bone). The left-back Levan Kobiashvili has to serve one match suspension due five yellow cards and he will be replaced with Marc Stein at that position.
Probable Hertha Berlin line-up :
Piszczek , A. Friedrich , von Bergen , Stein ,
Lustenberger , Kacar , Cicero ,Raffael ,
Ramos, Gekas
The Betting Verdict
The first match between these teams ended in 2-2 draw. Hertha Berlin have not lost any of their last four matches against Bayer Leverkusen, and in the last four matches between these sides Hertha Berlin had beaten Bayer Leverkusen three straight times.
But, this season is quite different story as Hertha Berlin are in really hopeless situation. They need to beat Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in the remaining rounds and hope that their rivals will lose the last two matches so they could stand a chance. That scenario is unlikely happen.
Bayer Leverkusen got improved and will have the best squad available in the remaining matches. Hertha Berlin are really demoralized after last week`s last minute loss which ended their hopes for survival. It might be tougher then expected by i think that Bayer Leverkusen will get a win in an exciting match.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 Hertha Berlin
