Bundesliga Betting: Babbel and Van Gaal in last-chance saloon
Kevin Hatchard tells us why it’s a huge week for Stuttgart and Bayern Munich on the domestic and European front and why both teams are worth taking on this weekend…
“Bayern still don’t convince me, and with a massive Champions League game to come they may not be fully focused.”
Stuttgart 1.59 vs Bochum 6.6, the draw 4.3
There’s a huge week ahead for struggling Stuttgart, one that could ultimately decide the fate of coach Markus Babbel. On Saturday Die Roten face Bochum in an early-season relegation six-pointer, and on Wednesday they must secure a home win against Unirea Urziceni to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.
Stuttgart lie second from bottom in the Bundesliga, having won just twice in 14 matches. The powers that be at Stuttgart have kept faith with Babbel, but last weekend’s 4-0 thrashing at leaders Bayer Leverkusen set alarm bells jangling. Sporting director Horst Heldt was furious, suggesting all eleven players deserved to be substituted at half-time. He wasn’t far wrong, as it was indeed a wretched performance from a side that finished third under Babbel last season.
The loss of star striker Mario Gomez to Bayern Munich in the summer has been critical, and in his absence VfB have managed a paltry 11 goals in 14 games. Their home form has also nosedived. Last season they won 12 out of 17 Bundesliga matches at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, but this term they’ve managed just one home win in seven.
Bochum are a point and a place above Stuttgart, and are making tentative progress under new coach Heiko Herrlich. A 1-0 victory at title contenders Hamburg raised plenty of eyebrows, and they had chances to win last week’s goalless draw at home to FC Cologne.
The defence is gaining in confidence after two consecutive clean sheets, and Slovakian international striker Stanislav Sestak is always a danger on the break. He’s managed two goals and three assists in ten Bundesliga appearances this term. Herrlich’s been further boosted by news that top scorer Diego Klimowicz is back in contention after injury. He’ll be hoping to add to his tally of four goals in nine starts.
RECOMMENDATION:
Stuttgart continue to underachieve and will have one eye on the Champions League, while Bochum are improving. Lay Stuttgart at 1.6
Hamburg 2.4 vs Hoffenheim 3.3, the draw 3.5
These two are on the fringes of the title race, but have faltered in recent weeks. Hamburg are without a win in six league matches, and have suffered baffling home defeats to Monchengladbach and Bochum. A crippling injury crisis has been at the heart of this collapse in form, and Hamburg are now six points off the title pace. To make matters worse some of the club’s fans are unimpressed with the style of play under Bruno Labbadia, and unusually there are still tickets available for Saturday’s clash.
Hoffenheim have struggled at home of late, but are looking for a third straight away win in the Bundesliga. They were excellent on their last road trip, sweeping aside FC Cologne 4-0. Ralf Rangnick has built one of the best defensive units in the league, with just 13 goals conceded in 14 games. At the other end attacking talents Carlos Eduardo and Vedad Ibisevic are always capable of producing a match-winning moment.
RECOMMENDATION:
Injury-hit Hamburg aren’t playing well, and a record of four away wins in seven makes me lean Hoffenheim’s way. Back Hoffenheim to win at 3.3
Bayern Munich 1.31 vs Borussia Monchengladbach 12.5, the draw 6.0
I don’t normally include Friday night games, but the value on offer here is too tempting to ignore.
Despite Bayern’s 3-0 win at Hannover last week, coach Louis van Gaal is still on a knife-edge. Reports claim the Dutchman must win every game until the winter break to keep his job, and only a victory at Juventus on Tuesday will see the Bavarians reach the last 16 of the Champions League.
After recent wins against title contenders Hamburg and Schalke, Monchengaldbach are full of confidence. A five-match unbeaten run has lifted them to 11th, and in that spell they’ve conceded just three goals.
RECOMMENDATION:
Bayern still don’t convince me, and with a massive Champions League game to come they may not be fully focused. With Gladbach on great form 1.31 is way too short for a home win, so lay Bayern at 1.32. Backing Gladbach to win at 12.5 is also an attractive option.
