Two teams who’ll have their eyes fixed firmly on the European spots go head-to-head on Saturday afternoon as Köln play host to Hertha Berlin at the RheinEnergieStadion.
As this pair currently sit in 5th and 7th in the table, it’s fair to say that both have enjoyed solid campaigns, although they do approach this match in contrasting form. Hertha have been a bit up and down of late but are likely to be in good spirits ahead of this one having beaten Dortmund last time out. On the other hand, the mood in the Köln camp probably isn’t as high as it was a few months ago – the hosts are now without a win in six matches, although they did put in a spirited performance last time out when drawing 2-2 away at Ingolstadt.
From a betting point of view, ‘Both Teams to Score’ is the selection at 11/10. Although neither of these two boast the best ‘Both Teams to Score’ stats, recent performances suggest that both should have what it takes to cause the other plenty of problems.
Peter Stöger’s side have certainly been lacking wins recently, but they’re having little trouble in finding the net and have scored in four of their last five – a match against Bayern being the only time in recent weeks that they’ve been unable to register on the score-sheet. The problem for the hosts right now seems to be very much a defensive one – Köln are now without a clean sheet in six matches. Both teams have scored in four of their last five.
Hertha are in something of a similar position. Despite beating Dortmund last time out, Pál Dárdai’s men still conceded and have let in at least one goal in four of their last five. Away from home they’ve not shut their opposition out in six. The visitors are of course a decent side on their day and are certainly capable of posing an attacking threat, but, given their current defensive predicament, especially on the road, it would be a surprise if they suddenly put an end to their run of six away matches without a clean sheet.
In Anthony Modeste, the hosts have one of the Bundesliga’s top-scorers in their midst, while Hertha, who possess the likes of Saloman Kalou and Vedad Ibišević in attack, are certainly not short on goal-scoring talent. With their respective defences waning somewhat, it would be no surprise if both teams got on the score-sheet here, in fact, it would be surprising if they did not.
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