Hertha Berlin v Bayer Leverkusen Betting Tips: Dárdai’s men to cement Europa League position

When this pair meet on Saturday afternoon, both still have plenty to play for. The hosts, who’re currently sat in 5th, will be looking to guarantee themselves a place in next season’s Europa League with a win, while Leverkusen, whose below par campaign has culminated in them sitting just three points above the drop-zone with one game to go, are in need of at least a point to secure their Bundesliga status for another year.

Considering that they finished last season in 3rd position, this campaign really has been a poor one for Leverkusen. They’re just three points above that dreaded 16th place but can count themselves lucky that several other teams are also struggling near the foot of the table. If it wasn’t for the fact that any of Mainz, Wolfsburg, Augsburg and Hamburg are more likely to occupy 16th spot, Leverkusen really would be in trouble. As things stands, they’re likely to survive, regardless of the result here.

On the other hand, Hertha Berlin have enjoyed a solid season, especially on their own patch, and are fancied to round things off with one last victory in front of a home crowd. Backing Pál Dárdai’s men to come out on top is certainly advised.

Having lost just three times at the Olympiastadion, Hertha, thanks to their defensive solidity, have been particularly hard to get the better of at home. They’ve also done a pretty good job when it comes to picking up three points having won 12 of their 16 home matches. Defensively, having conceded just 13 goals, Dárdai’s side have been solid, but, at the same time, are more than capable of hurting teams at the other end, as their total of 26 goals scored suggests. Economical would be a good way to describe the hosts this season; they’re an organised outfit who do a good job of nullifying the opposition threat before pouncing at the other end.

When it comes to getting the better of teams in the bottom half of the table at home, Hertha have been as good as anyone this season. In fact, Saturday’s hosts have won each of their seven matches against teams currently in bottom half, keeping six clean sheets in the process. In doing so, they’ve scored 12 goals and have conceded just one. Such form bodes well ahead of this fixture.

As touched on above, Leverkusen have been disappointing pretty much from start to finish this season. The visitors have defended poorly, especially on the road having conceded 25 goals, and have offered nowhere near the level of attacking threat that fans had become accustomed to over the past few years. Playing away from home has proved to be tough with Leverkusen managing to win just five of their 16 away matches. What’s more, the visitors have won just one of their five away matches since Tayfun Korkut took over as manager back in March, keeping just one clean sheet in the process.

Having returned to winning ways last time out, Hertha approach this match on the up – something that cannot be said for a visiting side who’re without a win in six – and are expected to keep up their outstanding record against bottom half teams by treating their fans to one final win.

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