Hamburg – Stuttgart

Two of the big names in Bundesliga will try to get the 3 points in a tight game today in Hamburg.

Hamburg is in a real slump, despite having a pretty good squad, highlighted by dutch star midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart. The defense is the one that betrayed the hosts so far. Hamburg is able to score against anyone, but with 19 goals conceded in 9 rounds clearly you can`t expect good things to happen. Nevertheless, the home team appointed Bert van Maarwijk as manager a few weeks back and things are starting to look better for them. Hamburg is on the back of an impressive 5-0 win at Nurnberg last round. Still, Hamburg is currently in the relegation zone on 15th spot and badly needs a win today. Team news for Hamburg are saying that only key defender Marcel Jansen is a doubt for today.

Hamburg: Adler – Westermann, Tah, Djourou, Jansen – Badelj, Arslan – Beister, van der Vaart, Calhanoglu – Lasogga

Like Hamburg, Stuttgart also started the season in horrible fashion, but they made a coaching change earlier than their rivals and recovered in time to move up the table. They are currently on the 9th place, still not great, and they need the three points here to stay in contact with the european qualifying spots. Stuttgart is in terrific form, undefeated in 5 Bundesliga matches (3 wins, 2 draws). Die Roten are playing nice, free flowing football, and they have their best players up front, mainly Vedad Ibisevic. Regular goalkeeper Ulreich and midfielder Leitner are absent for this game.

Stuttgart: Kirschbaum – G. Sakai, Schwaab, Rüdiger, Boka – Kvist, Gentner – Harnik, Traoré – Maxim – Ibisevic

This is a game which both teams need to win, so they will go for it and not sit out for a draw. We`re talking about two of the most offensive clubs in an offensive league like the Bundesliga. Both Hamburg and Stuttgart are counting on some fantastic talent up front, with strikers in superb form like Lasogga / Ibisevic and top class playmakers like van Der Vaart / Harnik, Maxim. It`s also hard to see any of these two hesitating defenses keep a clean sheet.

Stuttgart and Hamburg usually produce high scoring games, despite the fact that last season both games ended 1-0. Prior to that, there were 8 consecutive matches with more than three goals between these two teams. I don`t see any reason for an under 2.5 today, all the circumstances are indicating that we`ll see 3 or more goals. Good teams in good short term form, offensive philosophies, no absentees in attack, both teams need to win … my call is Hamburg – Stuttgart 3-2. For sure not the best odds, but they are fair and worth a big investment. I expect this to be won in the first hour of the game and make for a simple, enjoyable and profitable Sunday bet.

Pick: over 2,5
Odds: 1.57 @ Bet365
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 5.13
Event date: 20 October

Editor Facts

• Ocean is 4 for 6 in German football this season