The German Bundesliga continues with round 30 match-ups this weekend. First encounter of the weekend will see Eintracht Frankfurt vs. FC Augsburg, square off at the Veltins-Arena ( 15:30 CEST/13:30 GMT). In order to spice the things a bit up, we will combine two more match-ups with this game, featuring the Hamburger SV vs. SV Darmstadt 98 and the super clash between Hertha BSC and VfL Wolfsburg. Things are heating up in the German soccer as the season finale comes closer and after the Round 30 things could get even more complicated. So let’s check out what we have prepared for you this weekend!!!
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT vs. FC AUGSBURG
3-Way: 1: FRANKFURT -118; X: +295 Draw; FC AUGSBURG +509
Spread -0.5: Frankfurt -133; Augsburg +138
Total +2.5 : +125; Under -128
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT
The Eintracht Franfkurt currently ranks tenth in the German Bundesliga table. After 29 games played, the side has managed to accumulate 38 points in the domestic campaign, with an even spread of results. The club has notched up 10 wins, 8 draws and 11 losses overall. Frankfurt has been struggling for home form of late, the team has drawn their last three home matches, and are without a win on home-soil in their last 5 matches. The club is currently experiencing a dismal run of form, which has seen them go without a win in their last 10 league encounters.
The struggling side has seen victory at home on 6 separate occasions this season, out of a total fourteen affairs played at the Commerzbank arena, harvesting 18 points from a possible 34 on offer. Their bleak run of form has seen them go six games on the trot without a win, as the negative streak continues. The three losses coming at the hands of Borussia Dortmund 1:3, earlier this month, 1:0 loss to Cologne away, and of course the 0:3 thumping sustained against table toppers Bayern Munich. Frankfurt are unbeaten in their previous three home affairs. The most recent a thrilling 2:2 clash with Werder Bremen where the spoils were shared.
Frankfurt will be looking to add another Home win to their tally this weekend, in what promises to be an enthralling encounter.
Top goal scorer Meir will be looking to add to his impressive season, if he can shake a minor injury in time for the clash. The potent forward has netted home six goals this season, and is in fine form ahead of the weekend showdown. Another one to watch is the midfielder maestro Marco Fabian. Currently one behind his fellow teammate with 5 goals to his name from the centre of the park.
The side will have to manage with a number of absentees for Saturdays skirmish. On-loan Jesus Vellejo is ruled out until the end of the season with a thigh injury. Anderson and Hasebe have both sustained nagging knee injuries, and are likely to miss a place on the starting line-up, whilst in form forward Meir is doubtful, but could recuperate in time for the mighty showdown.
FC AUGSBURG
Following a similar trend to Saturday’s opponents, FC Augsburg have been on a disastrous run of form going into this weekend’s tie. Currently ranked 16th in the league standings and looming perilously over the relegation zone, the side has accumulated 32 points after 29 domestic outings this season. The battling team has only managed to harvest one win in their last 6 affairs, in an narrow 2:1 victory over FC Koln. Before this, the team had lost their previous four matches 0:2 away to Hertha, 0:2 at home to Ingolstadt, 0:6 at the hands of Bayern Munich, and 0:3 to Schalke 04.
On top of this, Augsburg’s poor away form has seen them salvage only 4 wins from 14 matches away from home this season. The side has won only 8 games in the entire campaign, out of the 29 match-ups played. The good news for Augsburg is that they claimed victory in their last home game, which is sure to galvanise spirits ahead of saturdays crucial showdown. The side has relinquished exactly half of their travelling matches this season, losing 7 from 14.
Fellow strikers Raul Bobadilla and Altintop top the team in scoring this season, tied at 4 goals each. At the moment, the club resides in 14th spot in terms of total goals scored, with a combined total of 74 (28 scored and 46 conceded). Currently the low-lying side have a goal difference of -18, which is 10 goals adrift of their closest rivals Mainz, who occupy 15th spot in the current league standings. The club have netted 41 goals away from home this season, which is the 11th best rating in the league, whilst away from home they own the 15th highest record, with 33 goals scored.
The side will have to manage without Jan-Inwer Callisen Bracker who is absent with an ankle injury, and is presumed to be unfit for Saturday’s fixture. Top striker Bobadilla is also a doubt, who is sidelined after picking up a calf injury, whilst speedy winger Caiuby is recovering from a knock received during a training session earlier on this week. Other casualties include Daniel Baier and Attacking midfielder Ja Cheol Koo,who both suffered recent afflictions and will be out for the foreseeable future.
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT vs. FC AUGSBURG PREDICTION
Saturdays contest will be the 10th time that the sides have met in the German Bundesliga. The Bavarian team are unbeaten in their last 8 league matches against Frankfurt, which is a new club record, and lead the head-to-head 3:1 going into the tie. Frankfurt is experiencing a barren spell, having gone 1o matches without a single victory (L7 D3), the clubs longest winless streak since Kovak took charge.
Going into the match, Augsburg are occupying a relegation play-off position, following their dramatic victory over the rivals Koln last weekend. After experiencing a strong first-half of the season, Eintrachts form has dwindled towards the tail-end. The team will need to pull off a home win if they wish to claw back the gap between the top 6, and earn a European qualification.
My money’s on Frankfurt to clinch this one. The club is currently enjoying a lengthy unbeaten run. It is for this, reason, coupled with the fact that the club is chasing a European spot that I believe will gives them added chance to pull through with the victory.
MY PICK: Eintracht Frankfurt (-118)
HAMBURGER SV vs. SV DARMSTADT 98
3-Way: 1: Hamburger SV -222; X: +409 Draw; SV Darmstadt 98 +765
Spread -1.5: Hamburger SV +124; SV Darmstadt 98 -123
Total +2.5: Over -141; Under +135
HAMBURGER SV
Hamburg SV enters Saturday’s key clash with only three wins under their belt from a possible six, having lost their most recent away encounter to SV Werder Bremen (1:2), hosted at the Weser Stadion. Both teams enjoyed plenty of the ball, with a fearless Bremen carving out significantly more clear-cut chances. Bremen found themselves firmly on the offensive during the second half of the tie, posing a greater threat in the opposition’s final third than the travelling side. Eventually, the club sealed the contest with a dramatic winner in the 75th minute courtesy of in-form Austrian midfielder Florian Kainz.
Hamburg SV currently sits at the 14th spot of the German Bundesliga standings, having enjoyed a season filled with momentary highs and shocking, unforgettable lows. The 8:0 slaughter at the hands of the imperious table toppers Bayern Munich springs to mind. Overall, the HSV has won a total of 33 points, having scored 29 and conceded 53 goals. At home, they have been very successful as of lately, winning 4 straights games. For the season, the HSV has a 7-3-4 home record and 24 points won, also scoring 18 and giving up 22 goals in front of their home crowd.
Hamburg’s recent dip in form places added emphasis on this weekend’s showdown, which is rapidly becoming a crucial must-win scenario that no team can afford to lose.
Hamburg will have to go without the Swiss striker Josip Drmic, who will miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.
Veteran centre-forward Ivica Olic is also absent with a Torn-thigh muscle and is expected to be side-lined for up to four weeks.
The 36-year-old Croatian International is nearing retirement and plans to pursue a coaching role with the club at the end of the month.
SV DARMSTADT 98
As we reach the closing chapters of this year’s exhilarating German Bundesliga campaign, the SV Darmstadt 98 currently looms perilously above the jaws of oblivion. Scarcely managing to scrape together a meager five victories domestically this season. Last week’s dramatic stoppage-time clincher fends off predicted relegation for the bottom side temporarily. A heroic display that saved them from immediate extinction.
Darmstadt’s terrible goal-scoring record this season could be the decisive factor as to whether they get the drop. It is this cohesion of elements that makes the up and coming skirmish between the two scraping sides such an enticing prospect.
Darmstadt 98 demonstrated plenty of resilience and resolve during their last league encounter against Schalke 04. The struggling side managed to bag all three points at the Merck- Stadion, netting twice in a fiery contest that saw Darmstadt steal the spoils after a last-minute winner struck by the team’s talisman, Jonathon-Heimes.
Darmstadt 98 has suffered the season from hell, and the stats are anything but flattering. The club is placed 18th in the current German Bundesliga standings, only managing to harvest three victories in their last ten league outings (5-3-21 overall record). One of them being a 2:1 triumph over Borussia Dortmund way back in February. To make things even worse, the SV Darmstadt 98 managed to score only 21 goals overall, while allowing a total 57 goals to their opposition. Furthermore, they have not won a single point on the road this season, losing all 14 matches during which the scored only 6 and conceded 34 goals.
Charismatic coach Torsten Frings will be looking up to the heavens, in the hope that expeditious left-back Junior Diaz will be fully rehabilitated ahead of Saturday’s clash, after sustaining an injury. Although, it’s highly probable that the speedy defender will start on the bench.
A lower spinal injury prevents striker Dominik Stroh-Engel from returning to the squad. The ailment has plagued the centre-forward’s career ever since his traumatic footballing collision back in March of 2016.
HAMBURGER SV vs. DARMSTADT 98 PREDICTION
SV Darmstadt 98 has never beaten Hamburg in the German Bundesliga, but a rejuvenated team fighting for its safety, in a life and death relegation battle has nothing to lose and everything to gain. This intriguing factor could potentially create a tricky proposition for the Home team. After all, a cornered Lion is highly unpredictable in nature.
The away side appears to be riding a momentous wave of late, notching up an unbeaten streak of four games on the bounce, which included an impressive 2:0 display over Schalke 04.
On the other hand, Hamburg’s recent defeat in the league will dampen spirits ahead of Saturday’s crucial meeting between the two sides. Despite this, Hamburg’s home-form has drastically improved lately, earning them key points from must-wins games at a critical stage towards the tail-end of the season.
The last time these two teams locked horns was in the German Bundesliga Round 13 clash back in early December, where Hamburg romped home with a convincing victory over their fierce foes, netting twice to put an end to a disastrous baron spell of thirteen games without a win.
Personally, I think this clash has all the hallmarks of a captivating goal-fest, with both teams going for broke early on, vulnerabilities in defense will surely be exposed, with both back-lines taking constant, collateral damage. This promises to be a fascinating face-off between two despairing sides, eager to turn around the disastrous misfortunes off an unrelenting season. therefore, I am taking the Over 2.5 goals offered at -141.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-141)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (-106)
HERTHA BERLIN vs VFL WOLFSBURG
3-Way: 1: Hertha Berlin +160; X: +242 Draw; VfL Wolfsburg +215
Spread 0: Hertha berlin -119 ; VFL Wolfsburg +116
Total +2.5 : Over +116; Under -119
HERTHA BERLIN
The Hertha Berlin have had a topsy turvy season up to now in the German Bundesliga. Struggling with inconsistency, the team has been unable to gather momentum, suffering from conflicting home and away results. Away from home, Hertha has suffered a miserable eight league defeats on the bounce. The most recent of which was a 0:1 loss to rivals Mainz who currently lie in the bottom half of the table. Hertha will need to rely on their excellent home performances if they wish to cement a European spot in the Bundesliga this season.
In fourteen home affairs in the German Bundesliga they have only lost on two occasions, achieving an impressive eleven wins, and a draw. Strong defensive performances this season have lead to very few leaked goals (9), whilst scoring at the Olympiastadion has come naturally, netting an impressive 24 goals in their 14 home appearances.
The scraping side currently lie in 5th position, having acquired 43 points from 29 matches played.
Hertha Berlin have won two of their last three home contests, the most recent being a dazzling display against Augsburg, which saw the home-side win 2:0, in a comprehensive performance. The other victory coming against high flyers Borussia Dortmund (2:1) who currently sit comfortably in 4th, ten points clear of Saturdays competitors Hertha BSC. The uncharacteristic defeat came at the hands of Hoffenheim, the final score being 1:3.
Hertha has a number of absentees for this weekend’s showdown. Arne Maier is a doubt following a persistent knee injury sustained by the defensive midfielder during match play, but has subsequently been reintroduced to training. Fabian Lustenberger is also out of action with a groin issue, whilst Sinan Kurt is expected to miss the tie due to an ankle injury.
VFL WOLFSBURG
The VfL Wolfsburg has lived dangerously for most of the 2016/2017 German Bundesliga season, teetering precariously over the relegation zone, the side currently finds themselves one point off the relegation playoffs in the current Bundesliga standings. The battling side have managed three wins from their last six league encounters, the most recent of which came in there emphatic display over league rivals Ingolstadt, where they romped home with a 3:0 win. The other victories came away from home, where the visitors managed to overcome title contenders Leipzig 1:0 in a compelling tussle, followed by a home triumph over struggling Darmstadt 1:0.
Travelling away from home has proved to be a daunting task for Wolfsburg this season. The beleaguered side has only managed 4 wins out of a possible 14, having lost 6 and drawn 4 on the road. Defensively Wolfsburg has conceded 24 goals away from home, compared to Hertha Berlin’s tally of 26. However, the visiting side have leaked goals in every match, unable to keep a clean sheet all season.
On top of this, Wolfsburg has let in seven more goals overall in the German Bundesliga, in contrast to this weekend’s opponents. The team does have an ace up their sleeve in the form of German international striker, Mario Gomez, who on his day, can upset any defense. The 31 year old striker has scored fourteen times in the German Bundesliga this year and has won man of the match on two occasions. The attacking powerhouse is certainly one to watch when the two teams lock horns this coming weekend.
Victor Osimhen is unavailable for selection, plagued by an meniscus injury that will keep the previous CAF Youth player of the year out for the next couple of weeks. Jeffererry Bruma is also out for a lengthy period, due to a lasting knee injury. The Wolves will have to replace Iranian attacking midfielder Ashkan Dejagah, who is unfit to compete due to a calf injury. The club will also have to fill-in for expert shot stopper Diego Benaglio, who is unlikely to reach match fitness for the tumultuous tie, hampered by persistent back problems, the goalkeepers future is yet to be determined. There is good news for Wolfsburg mind. Ismail Azzaoui, Ricardo Rodriguez and Paul-Georges N’Tep all return to training, after their absence from leg related injuries.
HERTHA BERLIN vs. VFL WOLFSBURG PREDICTION
It would be difficult to bet against Hertha taking all three points this coming Saturday. The team has been on pristine form at home during the 2016/2017 German Bundesliga campaign. In addition, Hertha triumphed in their latest clash, courtesy of a converted penalty by Salomon Kalou to seal the victory at 2:3, which could give them added confidence going in.
Comparatively, Wolfsburg has scored an average of two goals or more per game in their last 10 meetings against Dardai’s men, and with lethal goal threat Mario Gomez on the prowl, this contest is sure to have goals on either side. My bet’s on Hertha Berlin to snap up all three points, but I can foresee plenty of goals, and it may not be as straightforward as it perhaps seems on the surface for Jonker’s high flying German team.
MY PICK: Hertha Berlin (+160)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (-110)
