German Bundesliga
2009-05-08 - Bayer Leverkusen vs Arminia Bielefeld
A Sports Betting Pick by Niko
LTU Arena, Dusseldorf
Friday, 8th May 2009 – kickoff 20:30
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer sits at 8th place in the Bundesliga and with nothing much to play for in the last four rounds. Their main focus is the domestic Cup through which they can play Euro matches next year but first will have to overcome Werder Bremen.
However, Bayer are still seeking their first win in the Bundesliga at their temporary ground in Dusseldorf.
Bayer have 45 points – three less than at the same stage last season when they finished three points short of qualifying for Europe.
In addition to FC Köln, Bayer Leverkusen are the only other side in the Bundesliga to have won more points away from home than in front of their own fans (26 compared with 19).
Few days ago Bayer Leverkusen signed a two-year contract with a legendary Liverpool defender, Sami Hippiya who will improve Leverkusen`s defense next year.
Bayer 04 coach Bruno Labbadia will have to make do without two defensive players for the home game against Arminia Bielefeld. The Brazilian central defender Henrique is still suffering from a thigh strain which kept him out of the 2-1 away win against Schalke.
Thomas Zdebel has picked up an injury at a training session. The midfielder has a recurrence of a knee ligament injury and will be sidelined for a number of weeks. Kiesling is back for this match, who missed the last match through injury, and will now join Helmes in the attack.
Interesting fact is that none of the last ten matches involving Bayer Leverkusen have produced more than three goals.
Arminia Bielefeld
Arminia will fight to the end to avoid relegation. They are 16th and will bite in all of the remaining four matches to grab as many points to stay in the Bundesliga.
That is tough task ahead, but German teams fighting for something to achieve can not be underestimated no matter at what place they are currently sitting on the table.
Arminia have gone last six games without a win – four defeats and two draws and coach Frontzeck’s team have earned the same number of points at home as they have away (13).
In the last two games coach Frontzeck couldn’t count on his best striker, Arthur Wiscniarek, who recovered just in time for this match to help the team.
Good news for Bielefeld defense is the return of Michael Lamey who missed the match against Stuttgart through suspension.
Head to Head
In the first part of the season, Bielefeld celebrated 2:1 home win at Schüco Arena and now they are equal with Leverkusen in head-to-head record.
Bayer have won only one of their last eight games against Arminia – last season’s 4-0 home win over Bielefeld was also Leverkusen’s biggest win of the campaign.
Arminia Bielefeld have come out on top in three of their last four meetings with Bayer (one defeat).
In the last ten clashes against Leverkusen, Bielefeld won five, which is encouraging before the match in Dusseldorf. Hartmann and Versik are injured and out for this match.
THe betting Verdict
This match is of much greater importance for Bielefeld, rather than for Leverkusen. A point or even three will push the team to survive.
In my opinion, Leverkusen has more quality and better players, but they struggle a lot in Dusseldorf and that combined with Bielefeld`s imperative to get something out of this match makes it tough for Leverkusen to win.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arminia Bielefeld
