The clash between the Borussia Monchengladbach and Hertha BSC is our match of the day for Wednesday night in the German Bundesliga Round 27. Although the Foals are ranked in the middle of the league table, they are only 4 points behind one of the spots leading to the European Cups, while Hertha is ranked 5th, so that is why this could be a real battle for the European competition next year and that is why we have singled out this matchup. Both teams have seen their form decline over the recent period with the home team going winless in their last five outings, while the visitors lost three and won two games over the same period. The Old Lady celebrated a 3:0 win in Berlin the last time the two teams met, but failed to conquer the Borussia-Park since 2008.
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH vs. HERTHA BERLIN
3-Way: 1: Borussia Monchengladbach -114; X: +262 Draw; 2: Hertha Berlin +430
Spread -0.5: Borussia Monchengladbach -118; Hertha Berlin +114
Total +2.5: Over +131; Under -139
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH
As noted in the introduction, the Borussia Monchengladbach has not seen a lot of success most recently, recording their last win at the beginning of March when they defeated FC Schalke 04 at Borussia-Park with 4:2, the same team that knocked them out of the Europa League during the stretch. In the domestic league, they connected two losses against Hamburger SV away (1:2) and Bayern Munich at home (0:1), while most recently recording a scoreless draw against Eintracht Frankfurt on the road. It was not a pretty performance in Frankfurt as the Foals failed to create any real scoring chances, while the home team came close to scoring on several occasions and it is only a miracle that the Foals came out undefeated.
The Borussia Moenchengladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer pulled off some unbelievable saves, also denying the penalty kick in the 78th minute of the match. Considering the fact that the Foals were also playing the last 5+ minutes with only 10 players after Strobl received the red card, than the point won is worth the gold. Strobl will certainly miss the game against Hertha BSC, but the Foals can count on Stindl who should bring some energy up front where the team has not been functioning well lately. Kramer and F. Johnson could miss the game again with injuries, while other players are Ok to go.
HERTHA BSC
The Hertha BSC Berlin is still riding among the top ranked teams in the German Bundesliga, currently ranking 5th overall with 40 points to their name. However, most of those points were won at home turf, whilst on the away field (especially as of late) they are giving away points left and right. Although many took in consideration their strong performances at home, during the Round 26 the Old Lady slipped and gave away all three points in the 1:3 loss to Hoffenheim.
This was only their 2nd loss at the Olympiastadion in Berlin this season. Despite the loss, Hertha is still holding the spot for the European competitions next season, but the Champions league competition is drifting away slowly as they are now 7 points behind the 4th spot and the Champions league qualifications. Going into the matchup with the Foals, the Old Lady will try to win some points at the Borussia-Park, a place where a very few teams have outplayed Borussia this season. Knowing that Hertha has won lost their last 5 road games and that they have won only 9 of 29 possible points on the road so far, the optimism is not something that Hertha BSC fans can count on.
When we take a look at the roster, Coach Julian Nagelsmann cannot be happy either, as Plattenhardt missed couple of games but according to the latest reports he should be back in action on Wednesday, while Mittelstadt received a red card in the last match and will be suspended in the next game. Lustenberger, Weiser and Dude are also missing, while their leading scorer this season Vedad Ibisevic will miss the game on Wednesday after collecting 5 yellow cards.
Both teams have the potential to be among the top teams in the German Bundesliga, but their struggles and inconsistencies over the season have not allowed that potential to surface. Now, both teams have to save their season winning enough points to reach the European Cups next year, but that task won’t be easy. However, the Foals play much better at home, while Hertha is terrible on the road, especially in the second part of the season. With that being said, I am picking the Borussia Monchengladbach to win.
My Pick: Borussia Monchengladbach to win (-114)
