|
European Football
Preview - 03 Nov 2007
Hamburg to
steamroller Berlin idiots
"We're the idiots of the Nation" said Hertha Berlin GM
Dieter Hoeness in the wake of Tuesday's humiliating DFB Pokal defeat
to Wuppertal.
After leaping up to second place in September, the Capital club
are now in freefall, with the midweek cup wupping, signifying their
third successive away defeat. Nothing appears to have changed under
new coach Favre. Whilst still able to churn out victories at home
against the lesser lights, Hertha are as bad on their travels as
they have ever been. A solitary victory at lowly Duisburg, courtesy
of two deflected Marco Pantelic strikes, is all they have to show
for their troubles so far this season.
Hamburg meanwhile are going about their business unnoticed, happy
to let big-spending Bayern grab all the headlines. Huub Stevens'
side are now unbeaten in ten games, and are emerging as the only
realistic challengers to Othmar Hitzfeld's star-studded ensemble.
It was feared that Hamburg may struggle to keep up the pace in
the absence of Nigel De Jong, Castelen, Paolo Guerrero and most
importantly Rafael Van Der Vaart. If anything, Stevens' side have
taken things up a notch, with Ivica Olic, Mohammed Zidan, David
Jarolim and Petr Trochowski all in fine form. The real star of the
show however has been Vincent Kompany. A highly accomplished
centre-back, the Dutchman has taken on De Jong's midfield role in
recent games and impressed hugely. In fact, it almost doesn't matter
who goes where nowadays, as Stevens' squad has so much strength and
versatility. The front three constantly inter-change, whilst holding
players such as Jarolim and Kompany offer a huge threat going
forward. Now with Van Der Vaart, Guerrero and De Jong fit and
available, Stevens has an embarrassment of riches, and a squad
easily capable of competing on two fronts.
Quotes of 8/13 don't reflect the gulf in class between these two
sides at present. Hamburg are still off the radar, and should be
able to distance themselves further from the chasing pack. Take them
on asian handicap to heap more away-day misery on Hoeness' idiots.
Hamburg v Hertha Berlin. Saturday 14:30.
Recommendations: 5pts Hamburg -1
@ 2.16. Canbet. 0.25pt e/w Kompany to score
first. 33/1 Bet365.
Ilunga
|