Friday’s Bundesliga action sees high-fliers Borussia Monchengladbach look to move joint-top of the table by defeating a Hamburg side still in the hunt to secure a Europa League qualification spot (Borussia Monchengladbach v Hamburger SV).
The game is arguably far more important to Lucien Favre’s side who have enjoyed an impressive campaign and are one of four clubs still in with a very realistic chance of winning the Bundesliga title (8/1 Outright).
Borussia Dortmund lead the way, while Bayern Munich sit one place and one point behind second-placed Monchengladbach with Schalke a point further back in fourth ahead of this weekend’s round of matches.
Therefore it is imperative for Monchengladbach to take full advantage of a home clash against a mid-table Hamburg side to keep pressure on their rivals before their respective matches.
The signs look promising for the hosts as they have won four and drawn one of their games since returning from the winter break, while they have only conceded 13 times – the best in Europe.
However, Favre will be forced into making one change from the side which defeated Kaiserslautern 2-1 after right-winger Patrick Herrmann fractured his clavicle during the match.
Therefore, the influential 13-goal Marco Reus is set to move out wide to deputise, leaving Igor de Camargo and fit-again striker Mike Hanke in the centre of attack.
Hamburg are currently sitting just below mid-table and are ten points behind fifth-placed derby rivals, who they crashed to a 3-1 home defeat against last weekend.
Time is running out for Thorsten Fink’s side to get the points on the board to push for a place in European competition next season so they will be desperate to avoid defeat.
Hamburg are set to be unchanged from that defeat to Bremen as Gokhan Tore remains sidelined so Jacopo Sala will get the nod on the right side of midfield.
The visitors will not be too daunted about the trip to Monchengladbach given that they have performed better on the road this term with four wins under their belts.
And, while their overall recent form is inconsistent, they have picked up maximum points in their previous two away games at FC Cologne and Hertha Berlin respectively.
Hamburg also won on their previous game at Borussia Park 2-1 in December so know what it takes to put one over on their hosts.
Looking to the game and, with Monchengladbach in such a rich vein of form and very strong defensively, you have got to fancy them to nick this one by the odd goal.
Prediction: Home 90 Minutes @ 8/11
Value Bet: Monchengladbach To Win 1-0 Correct Score @ 6/1
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