German Bundesliga
2009-04-11 - TSG Hoffenheim vs VfL Bochum
A Sports Betting Pick by Niko
Football: Germany, Bundesliga
Rhein- Neckar- Arena
Saturday, 11th April 2009 – Kickoff 15:30
Hoffenheim
Boiling point of the season brings us this important match for both sides. Hoffenheim will be looking to improve after the bad start since the winter break and possibly clinch the spot for Champions league qualifications next season.
However,that will not be an easy task to do. Many injuries has changed Hoffenheim team and does not look as team that played excellent football during the first part of the season.
Hoffenheim sits on 6th place at the moment with 44 points - 7 points behind the leaders, with real chance to improve bearing in mind that there is not too big of a point difference between the first and the fifth on the table.
During the second part of the season Rangnick’s team only won one of nine matches (2-0 vs. Cottbus). In addition to that, their record shows two defeats and six draws.
I think Hoffenheim will play very fast and aggressive from the start and they will exert a high level of pressure on this match to score as soon as possible, and that can be tricky of course.
Coach Rangnick can again count on Salihovic who is one of the best players in the team and also Obasi and Ba who have recovered for this match. Luiz Gustavi will miss this game too due to his unsporting behavior, so Vorsah will play in the midfield instead.
On-loan striker from Werder Sanogo got a minor injury in the last game so he will be on the bench and is doubtful. One of the main reasons for Hoffenheim`s fall in form in the second part of the season are the injuries of several starters, the top scorer Vedad Ibisevic, Jissie, Ibertsberger and Bernhardt that are still unavailable, as well as the goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand.
Bochum
Bochum sits at 14th place with 25 points, just 2 points above the relegation places. Bochum has improved since the winter break, but still not enough to go up at more secure part of the table.
Bochum will have to battle a lot and to pick up as many points possible from the remaining matches of the season in order to avoid relegation. The morale of the team is low, there are many injured players and after perhaps the crucial away win over direct rivals Monchengladbach, Bochum ended up losing to Stuttgart at home.
Although home side had the lead, still they failed to keep it and the visitors overturned the score in the very finish and that was major blow.
In addition injuries to Christian Fuchs (knee injury), Oliver Schröder (contusion to the thigh) and Marcin Mieciel (contusion to the coccyx) also Mimoun Azaouagh will be absent due to problems with his groin. Furthermore, striker Diego Klimowicz is not absolutely match fit and not yet.
Marc Pfertzel will return to the team after having served his suspension and also Matias Concha is match fit again. The Slovakian international Sestak will be up front in the attack and he is in good form, and has also scored in the last qualifying matches for WC2010.
The standard tandem on the center of the field Yahia-Marvaj, that missed the last game through injuries, will be back again for this match.
Bochum have recorded only one away win so far in the season but the fact that they have gone last three away games unbeaten speaks that they are improving.
The Betting Verdict
This is important match for both teams for different purposes, but I expect Hoffenheim finally to show off their skills and cruise to victory here that will boost their moral to finish the season strong as they have started.
Bochum will fight and give their best, but I think Hoffenheim will prove to strong for them and will have the edge.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Hoffenheim 2-1 Bochum
