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Matchday 13 - Champions Meet in Bayern
By Joe, BettingExpert.com | Edited
Google+: Joe Bexpert
Battle for the top, 5 points difference between Bayern and Dortmund when they meet on Saturday. After last season's home defeat to Dortmund, Bayern are building up a new era and this is game they could measure themselves of the progress. Earlier on the day, Schalke 04 takes on Nurnberg while Sunday will see Bundesliga strugglers Augsburg travel to Stuttgart.
Schalke 04 vs. FC Nurnberg
The International would hopefully help Schalke 04 to get a few players off the injury list but that hasn’t really materialized. Schalke 04 will see Huntelaar recover from a broken nose sustained during the 0-0 Europa League game against Larnaca and worse of all, Jefferson Farfan is reported to suffer from a knee injury during international duties. If that doesn’t rock the boat then Germany International Benedikt Howedes also suffered a ruptured knee ligament against Holland and it is highly likely that Schalke 04 captain will not be in the starting eleven on Saturday. Sitting fifth in the Bundesliga, Schalke 04 are only 6 points away from the league leaders, Bayern and an expectant win over Nurnberg is a must this weekend. With Farfan out of commission, head coach Huub Stevens need to shuffle a few players around but certainly not an excuse not to bring all the three points home. Side new of midfielder Albert Streit has been release by the club.
Nurnberg is on the opposite end of the table compared to their hosts. They are currently fourth from bottom and hold a simple 12 points in the account, leveled with Mainz. Before the International break, Nurnberg suffered two consecutive defeats to both Bayern away and 2-1 home defeat to Freiburg. This is worrying times for Nurnberg as any missed points could land them under the relegation line and struggle further in the relegation battle. Their defensive are having a nightmare to cope against six of the top half teams in the Bundesliga in their last seven games, so to that Schalke 04 will be another tough task.
Verdict: Wound Schalke 04 to scrap a win over a defensive error ridden Nurnberg.
Obscure Stat - Just 7 goals have been scored in the last 4 meetings between the clubs at Schalke.
Bayern Munchen vs. Dortmund
The game of the weekend, league leaders, Bayern will host defending champion, Dortmund at the Allianz Arena, Saturday late afternoon kickoff. This match will set the pace at the top of the Bundesliga and as for the host, they are looking to defend the top spot with their key midfielder, Bastian Schweinsteiger this weekend. They will be hopeful with Dutch winger, Arjen Robben to return to the squad but more likely as a joker on the bench than in the starting lineup. You won’t be expecting Anatoliy Tymoschuk in the squad either as he is suspended for this game. So to the players that can be expected to play, both Mario Gomez and Franck Ribery have found their partnership to blossom and so has Thomas Muller scoring form too, scoring the first goal for Germany in the midweek international. Head Coach Jupp Hecknyes will have to draw his attention to the midfield as he will have to pick between David Alba, Toni Kroos or Janijel Pranjic to start. The defensive line will certainly see Badstuber, Van Buyten, Lahm and Rafinha to protect Maniel Neuer. Two consecutive wins in the Bundesliga before the international break and if they can find their dominant form on Saturday, then their guest will be hard at work.
Dortmund is looking to repeat the memories dated back just earlier this year in February where a 3-1 win over Bayern at the Allianz Arena saw them cement the Bundesliga title once and for all. All critics were to jump on the Dortmund bandwagon of a new era but scrolling forward to today, the critics are back out to get Dortmund after a subdued start to 2011/12 campaign. The fall of Bayern was also the raise of Bayern going into this game, on the other hand, Dortmund struggled in the Bundesliga specially when it came to their away games. Two out of three defeats came on their away trips and two draws with two win in the process, however Dortmund has picked up 16 points out of the last six games, so it will be up to the starting line up on the day that could determine Jurgen Klopp former glory. They will be without central defender Neven Subotic who is out with a facial injury. The offensive constellation will be the important factor of the afternoon, it will certainly give us a hint whether Klopp is about to gamble away or defend. Never the less, Lucas Barrios will be a vital key player that might start but both Lewandowski and Kagawa would be preferred. Starlet Mario Gotze could shine from these situations.
Verdict: Revenge on the card and Bayern might just find it tough, can’t underestimate a draw here.
Obscure Stat - Over the last 6 seasons, when the top placed club has been at home against the 2nd placed club, they are 1-1-3.
VFB Stuttgart vs. FC Augsburg
Mid table Stuttgart couldn’t be happy with the international break taking over the last fortnight schedule. Their last two games before the break kicked in saw them drawing to Dortmund at home 1-1 but then away to Mainz 3-1 and the obvious plan was to get to the drawing board in preparation for the Augsburg at home for Week 13. Big expectation of Stuttgart on Sunday to pick up all three points and with 18 points in the account, these are the games that could see them avoid the relegation battle if they were to get a win here. Both Cacau and Martin Harnik are expected to find the net while the defensively need more concentration and not lose the battle for the ball. This will all come down to whether they will make the most of the possession of the ball on the day.
No hopers Augsburg could spur into continuing the consecutive losing streak that they collected before the international break. They lost to Bayern at home and 3-0 away to Cologne and if they are not awakening from the warning signs, then relegation is what they are staring at as they push forward to the winter break. They have only 8 points and two points away from their nearest rivals, both Hamburg and Freiburg in the vicinity but if Augsburg doesn’t try hard, then I’m afraid, they are really no hopers on these occasions.
Verdict: Much need 3 points for Stuttgart on Sunday.
Obscure Stat - Over the last 6 Bundesliga seasons, teams positioned between 6th and 8th on the table playing at home against teams positioned in the bottom 6 of the table are 51-26-15, with 64% of those matches going over 2.5 goals.
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