VfB Stuttgart vs. Borussia Dortmund

VfB Stuttgart vs. Borussia Dortmund / Bundesliga – Another derby of the rear that puts together two teams with popular names and bright traditions who have in common a range of problems this season. This is especially true for Stuttgart who is at the bottom of the table and has four points less than the first team positioned above the relegation zone and that is exactly Borussia. Just that tells us how much is important this match. Stuttgart is in series of five matches without a win, while on the other hand Borussia won the last two matches and evidently plays better and better. They had played a very interesting match in the first part of the season in which Stuttgart had a lead of two goals but it ended as a draw 2-2. In the last four seasons Stuttgart didn’t manage to defeat Borussia. Begins: 20.02.2015 – 20:30 CET

VfB Stuttgart
Situation for Stuttgart is getting more and more difficult and watching this team and considering its individual quality they are absolutely the first candidate for relegation at the moment. It’s not just because they are currently the last in the standings but also because of a number of other indicators, such as only four goals scored at home and only five won points. They also drew only once in the four rounds of the season continuation and lost remaining three matches and they scored only goal in the same period of time, which happened in the previous round against Hoffenheim away.

When nothing functions as it is supposed to then the luck turns its back too, and they dropped a draw in that match in its last seconds. Coach Stevens had returned Hlousek on the left flank, G. Sakai was on the right one, while Ibisevic had again remained on the bench and Ti. Werner played instead. The new problem is that midfielder Gentner has gotten the fifth yellow card, so he cannot play in this match, which gives chance to Serey Die, who arrived to Stuttgart during the winter transfer window, to play from the first minute.

Probable lineups VfB Stuttgart: Ulreich – G. Sakai, Baumgartl, Niedermeier, Hlousek – Oriol Romeu, Sery Die – Harnik, Leitner, Maxim – Ti. Werner

Borussia Dortmund
If nothing else Borussia has finally started scoring goals, which seven goals scored in the last two rounds prove. Of course, they won both of them and so have moved above the relegation zone, but they cannot allow luxury of relaxation and as the struggle for survival continues. It is of especial importance how will play away matches as it was a big problem throughout this season, but they succeeded in Freiburg to discontinue the series without a win. In this match they truly dominated and the victory of 3-0 was pure as snow, but already in the next match against Mainz at home there were again some problems.

They unexpectedly received the first goal immediately at the beginning of the match and when they managed to overturn the result, they have received the second one, which created additional pressure. They continued with attacks and as a result of such game came two new goals. It must be said that were a much better team in that match. Compared to match in Freiburg, there was no captain Hummels, so Sokratis jumped in. They still have problems with the flu, so it is uncertain who besides Hummels will be unable to play, but probably there will be no big changes.

Probable lineups Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller – Piszczek, Subotic, Sokratis, Schmelzer – Sahin, Gundogan – Kampl, Kagawa, Reus – Aubameyang

VfB Stuttgart – Borussia Dortmund PICK
This is perhaps the decisive match for Stuttgart and we really expect to see them running, particularly in the attack as it is the only way to win. On the other hand Borussia scores goals with ease and we expected to continue in that rhythm, so that all together this should be an efficient match, which is in line with the tradition.

Pick: over 2.5 goals

Stake: 6/10

Odds: 1.80

Premier League Tips – 7th February

Our new football columnist previews Saturday’s Premier League games and expects routine wins for both Chelsea and Man City.

Aston Villa vs Chelsea

With only two defeats all season Chelsea remain the front runners for the Premier League title and are without a doubt the team to beat. Aston Villa, on the other hand, have not won any of their last eight games and were comfortably beaten 3-0 in the reverse of this fixture in September. To add to this, Villa have not even scored this year; their last goal coming in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United before Christmas, a run of six games without a goal. It’s hard to imagine that Thibaut Courtois and co. won’t keep a clean sheet and at the other end, one would expect Chelsea to bang in a few goals. Selection: Chelsea to win to nil @ 20/21

Manchester City vs Hull City

Believe it or not, both these sides go to the Etihad on Saturday without a win in their last three games. Draws against Everton and Chelsea, either side of a defeat to Arsenal, have Manchester City searching for only their second win of the calendar year, whilst Hull have won just two of their last sixteen. Following two consecutive 3-0 losses, one at home to Newcastle and the other away at West Ham, Steve Bruce’s side sit in the relegation zone and his future at the club is largely in question. However, do not expect them to turn all this around at the weekend, as City will be in a ruthless mood as they look to re-establish some form of their own. It looks like Hull will be on the end of another defeat, one which could read 3-0 again – or even more. Selection: Man City -2 Asian Handicap @ Evens

Swansea City vs Sunderland

This promises to be one of the more competitive games this weekend in the Premier League. Neither side are in great form, but both recorded all three points last time out to end their respective winless runs – Swansea four games and Sunderland five. The Swans beat Southampton 1-0, a result which somewhat made up for some recently poor ones; a 1-1 draw with QPR and a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea, whilst Sunderland won a crucial relegation six-pointer against Burnley having narrowly missed out on points against Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City coming into the game. The Black Cats are a tough side to beat away from home, only once in 11 away games have they lost by two or more goals. New signing Jermain Defoe will provide them with a bigger goal threat on the road. Swansea have scored in 10 of their 12 home games this season and, with both winning last week, there’s a good chance that both teams will find the net at the Liberty on Saturday. Selection: Both teams to score @ 11/10

Sevilla – Espanyol

Sevilla comes into this clash with a burning desire for revenge after narrowly losing qualification this Thursday in the Copa del Rey. Espanyol won 3-2 on aggregate after a 3-1 win in Barcelona and a 0-1 loss on Thursday, in Sevilla. It was a game in which Sevilla’s lineup really struggled in attack, with the guests defending really well and mounting some quick, fast, deadly counter-attacks. Overall i would say that the Andalusians are better off being left out of the cup, because they need to focus on catching up with Valencia in #4 place and also on their european spring.



Espanyol really went all out in the Copa del Rey. The team we see in the Copa is a different animal compared to the one we see in the league. In La Liga, without the fear of relegation and the promise of European places, the Catalans play some pretty boring football, with some short moments of brilliance in between. I expect them to be at 70-80% compared to what we have seen on Thursday, and because of this i do not want to back them, like i did a few days ago.

Not many changes in the lineups are expected compared to Thursday. Sevilla will start with Banega and Vitolo, leaving Suarez on the bench while Espanyol will give Stuani the nod while resting Caicedo.

I expect Sevilla to play their dominant quick passing game, and win this by at least 1 goal. The quality, home advantage and motivation are all in Sevilla’s favour. Sevilla -0.75 Asian Handicap is my prediction @ odds of 1.87 by Sbobet. Good Luck.

Pick: FC Sevilla (-0,75 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.87