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betting » Previews » Matchday 14 - Ruhr Derby For The Top

Matchday 14 - Ruhr Derby For The Top

By Joe, BettingExpert.com | Published

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Ruhr Derby

The biggest derby in Bundesliga between Dortmund and Schalke 04 will be stage on Saturday with much on stake as both teams are close to each other at the top of the Bundesliga. Both teams need to find a way to get past Bayern as the league leaders wants to keep their lead.

 

 

Dortmund vs. Schalke 04

The aftermath of the midweek Champions League didn’t give much hope for the men on the field to further their progress in this tournament. A slim chance is hanging on a thin thread after losing 2-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. However, off the field, the fans were giving somewhat great raves of their support which will certainly witness once again on Saturday as they go into the Ruhr derby against Schalke 04. Head Coach Jurgen Klopp could be without young star Mario Gotze but the staff are confident that he will be fit, however midfielder Sven Bender broke his jaw in the midweek and definitely out. Clearly the good progress form from the Bundesliga after beating Bayern away 1-0 didn’t affect their European result so Dortmund is likely to focus more efforts in the domestic. Once again the question arises on the attacking force, the most likely potent combo would be Shinja Kagawa and Robert Lewandowski, considering Lucas Barrios has been a sub for the last two games. This is one game that Dortmund will try to avoid defeat. This is also one game that is the most important of all in their football schedule calendar.

 

 While their neighbors are out in Europe, Schalke 04 are sizing up the challenge to take all three points at Signal Iduna park. Their run up to the game has seen two draws before a thumbing 4-0 at home over Nurnberg last weekend. This leaves them only a point away from their fierce rivals and this season will surely see not just pride to be play for but also a vital three points that can decide one over the other in the Bundesliga table. By no means are Schalke 04 ready to take the crown away from Dortmund as they are one of the most successful teams when it comes to an away game against Dortmund. Out of the four defeat already incurred this season, two came on foreign soil and against the top team, Schalke 04 was unsuccessful home against Bayern. They have the players to make the difference but when it comes to derbies, will they be able to manage the same intensity that the Dortmund players have? Never the less, they have two players that can’t stop scoring, both Raul and Klas Huntelaar will start. Farfan is still out but Lewis Holtby has been a great replacement.

 

Verdict: Many will have this as a draw but Dortmund is turning up the heat, a home win with a small stake.

 

 

 

Mainz vs. Bayern Munchen

Bottom half Mainz are struggling but they are surely within a chance to get themselves out of the relegation battle. After a few good seasons, this season hasn’t started out well and with 12 points in 12 games, one game short from the rest, things could get from bad to worse as they face Bayern. Having said that, their last game was a 3-1 win over Stuttgart and ever since the 4th of November, they have not played a competitive game. Maybe this is one rest that might have wear out.

 

The league leader, Bayern, bounced back in the midweek by beating Villarreal 3-1 in the champions league and also secured a place in the last 16 of the next out stage. A promising display from Franck Ribery and Mario Gomez gave them the goals Wednesday night but that didn’t happen last weekend when Bayern lost 1-0 at home to Dortmund. What was more intriguing is that Dutch superstar returned in the starting eleven against Bayern but that didn’t help them much but he slow regain of fitness are reaping benefit in the midweek. The travel to Mainz should be nothing but an expectant win and without Bastian Schweinsteiger, the return of Robben should give them more options, that is if the rumours are false about Robben not getting on with his teammates.

 

Verdict: Have to bounce back from a defeat to Dortmund, Bayern needs to win to keep the top spot.



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betting » Previews » Matchday 14 - Ruhr Derby For The Top