Betdistrict.com
Zweite Bundesliga side FC Heidenheim will take on Hertha Berlin at home in the DFB Pokal quarterfinals, set to be played over a single leg.
Heidenheim didn’t meet any serious teams en route to this German Cup quarterfinal, but they do deserve some respect for their performance in 2.Bundesliga. They are 7th in the standings and managed to win 1-0 away from home, against Fortuna Dusseldorf, in their last match – which was also the first after the Winter break. Heidenheim allowed just 20 goals in 20 matches so far 2. Bundesliga this season, but they struggled to score, banging in just 22.
Hertha Berlin is having an amazing campaign, sitting on the third place in Bundesliga, dreaming about Champions League football. Defense has been the main reason for Hertha’s successful season, as they allowed the second least goals in the league (21 in 20 games, second only to Bayern). Since German football resumed after the Winter break, Hertha recorded 3 draws in 3 games – two of them 0-0 and one 3-3. Last time out, it was a 0-0 home result against Dortmund.
Bet on Heidenheim vs. Hertha and get your 100 Eur first deposit bonus at Ohmbet!
Team news & lineups:
Heidenheim will obviously field its best lineup here, while Hertha is also expected to field the first team. However, the visitors might choose to give a rest to 1 or 2 key players.
Heidenheim: Muller – Feick, Kraus, Wittek, Philp – Griesbeck, Halloran, Leipertz, Schnatterer, – Morabit, Finne
Hertha: Jarstein – Weiser, Langkamp, Brooks, Plattenhardt – Weiser, Skjelbred, Haraguchi, Baumjohann – Kalou – Ibisevic
I`m not sure this will be an easy win for Hertha and the bookmakers’ odds reflect that, as they offer odds over evens for a visiting win – which are pretty high. Heidenheim is a team in great form and it’s never easy playing on the road against such sides, even if they are one division below you.
It’s also a question of motivation. Heidenheim will not promote or relegate, so the Cup is their last objective and this is the match of the season for them. Meanwhile, Hertha is definitely more focused on their fantastic campaign in Bundesliga, where they can win huge money by going to the Champions League – so the German Cup is clearly just a sideshow.
Look for Heidenheim to try and defend in an organized fashion, as they know their defense is their main strength. Hertha should keep the ball, but I don`t see why they would be in a hurry to score. They certainly don`t want to precipitate things and allow the hosts to bang in a goal on the break. I can see Hertha calmly passing it around, waiting for opportunities. Heidenheim has an excellent defense, while Hertha also relies more on its back line, not having the best attacking game – so I don’t expect too many chances here. Hertha may or may not get a close win, but it will certainly be difficult to create opportunities against this resilient, disciplined Heidenheim team.
My tip is under 2,5 goals to be scored. The stats, the circumstances and the way these two teams play clearly suggest an underish game. Not the highest odds, but they are more than fair. Prediction: Heidenheim – Hertha Berlin 0-1.
Pick: under 2,5 goals
Odds: 1.64 @ 1xBet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 5.12
Event date: 10 February
