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Premier Preview -
22 Sep 2007
Tough pickings in Germany.
There isn't much to get excited about on today's Bundesliga card,
but there's a couple of games that have caught my eye for
contrasting reasons.
The game of the day comes from Bremen, where struggling Werder
host reigning champions Stuttgart. Both sides suffered 2-1 defeats
in the Champions League midweek. For Werder, a narrow defeat in
Madrid was something of a renaissance after some abject recent
performances. Brazilian playmaker Diego was once again in majestic
form, and he will need to be at his best here if Thomas Schaaf's
side are to get their title campaign back on track. Stuttgart's
Champions League opner was a little more inauspicious, throwing way
a lead at Ibrox to come away pointless and restless. Armin Veh was
fuming afterwards, as the Swabians were well in control, but shot
themselves in the foot with two pieces of sloppy defending. They
will need to be more resilient here, in order to pick up their first
away points of the season. One point of inspiration, will be their
success in Bremen last season. Veh's side suffered an abject start
to the season, and were even layed at 1000 on Betfair in the
outright market whilst 2-0 down and heading to a third heavy defeat
in four games. A stunning comeback ensued, and the rest is history.
Veh's young side proved to be the real deal, and they can do so
again. If nothing else, history proves that this lot should not be
written off. Watch out for Stuttgart putting a run together when all
eyes are on Bayern. The underdog tag suits this side perfectly. 40/1
is being layed about an identical result today (2-3) and that may be
the best way to go for an interest. Expect plenty of chances, and
plenty of fouls. The prices look about right.
If there's one side that have been slightly underrated this
weekend it's Energie Cottbus. The East Germans are still winless,
but coach Patrick Sander has received the backing of managing
director Stefan Heidrich. And so he should, after the miracles
Sander performed last season to keep his unfancied side well above
the relegation places. Away perfomances have been disappointing but
on their own patch, Cottbus are always a tough proposition. They
wasted a hatful of chances against Nurnberg last time out, getting
caught by the sucker punch, and were somewhat unfortunate to go down
2-1 to Bochum before that. Ex-Bayern coach Felix Magath is having a
hard time of things at Wolfsburg. The pressure is now on, after a
dismal home defeat to new boys Karlsruhe last sunday. Despite
boasting attacking talents such as Marcelinho, Krzynowek and the Ex-Cottbus
duo Radu and Munteanu, it's just not clicking for them.
Traditionally, Wolfsburg have a dismal away record in the Bundesliga.
The bookies make the Wolves slight favourites, but I would argue
that this side should never be the jollies on their travels. Not in
current form anyway. Cottbus are overpriced.
Energie Cottbus v Wolfsburg. Saturday 14:30.
Recommendation: 1pt Cottbus
at 2.84 Betfair.
Ilunga
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