German Bundesliga
2009-04-12 - Bayer Leverkusen vs Werder Bremen
A Sports Betting Pick by Niko
German Bundesliga
LTU Arena, Dusseldorf
Sunday 12th April, 2009 – Kickoff 17:00
Bayer Leverkusen (Home 5-3-5 23:18)
Bayer still has chances for UEFA cup next season so their aim at this match will be to take maximum points and continue their recent good form. Coach Bruno Labadia is taking this game seriously and there are reports that the starting line up will be the same that won the derby last week against FC Cologne.
So Henrique and Thomas Zdebel can be hopeful of getting another chance on the right side of defense or in central midfield. The regular right back Gonzalo Castro will probably need another rehab session. Bayer Leverkusen still have not won a single “home” game at the LTU Arena in Dusseldorf since they moved there.
The first two games ended in defeat for Bayer, then came two draws (both 1-1) Maybe this match is chance to break that tradition. Ahead of the clash at the LTU Arena in Dusseldorf history is on Werder’s side overall, but Bayer 04 have won most of the home games at Bay Arena in Leverkusen.
Last week`s Bayer 2-0 victory against Köln (2-0) is the first time Leverkusen have kept a clean sheet for 14 games.
Leverkusen will play offensively, and Renato Augusto will take his place in the midfield once again. Fernandez, Schneider, Castro and Domaschke won't be able to help their side as they are out through injuries.
Werder Bremen (Away 1-4-7 13:19)
It has been a real roller coaster with Bremen this season. They sit in mid-table with probably only chance for Europe matches next season through UEFA cup or domestic DFB cup.
In the domestic championship the play with two faces-one match they will play like real champions and then next weak will be trashed by supposedly lower opposition. Werder have gone 9 away games without a win and have only collected 3 points in the process.
They might be suffering by some fatigue having in mind they have played great match against Udinese this Thursday.
Bremen have netted 14 goals from outside the box – that is by far the most in the league at the moment.
Claudio Pizarro has scored 4 goals in the last three games and is fourth highest goalscorer in the Bundesliga with 15 goals.
Coach Schaaf can't count on Jensen, who underwent a surgery of Achilles tendon and is out for the rest of the season, so Tziolis will take his place.
On the other hand, the good news is that Rosenberg is back after the back problems but is doubtful will he start. Andersen, Jensen, Futacs, Artmann, Pellatz and Kruse are all injured and out for this match.
Head to Head
Leverkusen have drawn with Bremen (21 times) more often than with any other club. The teams have met twice before on a Sunday with both games being played at Leverkusen and Bayer picking up two wins (2-1, 2-0).
Thomas Schaaf’s Werder Bremen side won their last away game against Bayer 04 with a 1-0 victory on the last day of last season which secured them qualification for the Champions League. At the same time, this meant that Bayer did not qualify for Europe.
Werder had won 5 out of 6 of the previous meetings between these two sides.
The betting verdict
Bayer are struggling in Dusseldorf, Werder are unpredictable but fact is that both sides play offensively and score lots of goals.
Werder will approach this match more relaxed than Bayer who have to win in order to keep alive Euro dreams. It’s a gamble, but I consider a high scoring draw as most likely result.
It’s your choice but maybe better bet is to take over 2.5 goals, since both teams can be unpredictable but have a tendency to score many goals.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Werder Bremen
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Over 2.5 goals as a main betand consider the draw as another bet.
