German Bundesliga
2009-05-16 - Bayer Leverkusen vs Monchengladbach
A Sports Betting Pick by Niko
LTU Arena,Dusseldorf
Saturday, 16th May 2009 – Kickoff 15:30
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen plays for the eight and last time in Dusseldorf still seeking first win at the temporary ground. With the start of the next season they will be back at the new re-constructed ultra modern stadium BayArena.
This season was a disappointment for Bayer but not everything is lost since they are in the DFB Cup Final where they will meet Werder Bremen at the end of the month so they still have chances for silverware.
However, the team wants to finish in the top ten and now they are at 9th place with 46 points - one more than Werder Bremen.
Bayer Leverkusen has a great record against their rival - Leverkusen has been unbeaten against Monchengladbach for the last 23 games and has won last 4 matches.
At home, Bayer also has celebrated last 4 wins in a row against Borussia. In the last 10 matches, Leverkusen has conceded at least one goal.
Leverkusen will field a similar starting eleven to the side that played against Bayern Munich. Toni Kroos seems likely to make his fourth start in the game as the on-loan midfielder currently has the nod over Swiss winger Tranquillo Barnetta.
But Coach Bruno Labbadia will have to make at least one change after Arturo Vidal collected his tenth yellow card against Bayern.
Adler
Castro, Friedrich, Sinkiewicz, Kadlec ,
Rolfes, Renato Augusto, Kroos, Barnetta
Kiesling, Helmes
Borussia Monchengladbach
Monchengladbach has 30 points and sits at 14th place and need at least a point from this match so they can be safe and stay in the Bundesliga.
Their direct relegation rivals are facing very tough opponents - as Arminia Bielefeld plays with Borussia Dortmund who are fighting for Europa league, and Energie Cottbus play with Stuttgart, so this is a great chance for survival if 'Gladbach can get something out of this match.
Borussia Monchengladbach have improved their chances of survival in the German top competition with last minute goals against Schalke and Cottbus. They have the momentum and are flying high right now. My opinion is that they will stay in the Bundesliga and will not get relegated.
“The two last-minute wins have reinvigorated Monchengladbach. They know that a point will help their cause and could make things tricky for us. We’ll have to deal with the pressure,” is Bayer 04 coach Bruno Labbadia’s statement on press conference ahead of the match on Saturday.
The only absentee for this match will be the Czech international Tomas Galasek who has picked up injury at the last game. (muscular discomfort in the back).
Coach Hans Meyer has won only 1 out of 10 games against Leverkusen - he lost last 3-times in the series against Leverkusen.
Bailly
Stalteri, Brouwers, Dante, Daems
Paauwe , Levels, Bradley, Baumjohann,
Matmour, Colautti
The Betting verdict
I think that Bayer Leverkusen has a deeper squad and more quality players than Monchengladbach, but Monchengladbach is playing really well recently.
Last minute wins show that this team does not give up to the end and fights hard for survival. Bayer has been terrible this season in Dusseldorf and although they have a great record against Monchengladbach, I think that there is a value in the price Monchengladbach to pull off surprise and upset Leverkusen.
Leverkusen plays for their fans and without stress not bothering that much about the final result, so that will open up chances for Monchengladbach.
So having that in mind, and that combined with the tough matches of the direct opponents, I think that Monchengladbach will be very motivated to get at least draw.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Borussia Monchengladbach
