Saturdays Bundesliga Preview: Matchday Nine

Marco Reus Is His Sides Only Hope Against Werder Bremen.

Matchday nine has started off with an anti-climactic nil-nil draw featuring Hamburg and Bayern Munich. Chances are, though, that the rest of the weekend will be packed with goals and excitement. Lets get to the games.

Borussia Monchengladbach v Werder Bremen

Gladbach continue their slide to the lower reaches of the table with little hope of reversing that at home to Werder Bremen this weekend. Last matchday, Gladbach lost 32 to Hoffenheim and lost Schachten and Juan Arango to straight red cards. A full strength Gladbach side would likely have little chance against Werder Bremen, but a Gladbach side missing first-team players like those will likely get a tonking. Gladbach still have Marco Reus and Raul Bobadilla to construct and finish their attacking moves, but none of that will matter if Gladbach cant get it together at the back. Gladbach have conceded 23 goals in just 8 Bundesliga matches, which is by far the worst goals against stat in the league so far. Funnily enough, Werder Bremen have the second-worst defense in the league, having conceded 17 goals in 8 domestic matches. While both teams are strong in attack, they are both evidently woeful in defense. For that reason, I expect goals. Gladbach wont be able to outscore their opponents, but theyll try. 24.

Eintracht Frankfurt v Schalke 04

Frankfurt have been one of the many surprise packages of the season, and I really cant see them not scoring against Schalke. Theofanis Gekas has been on scintillating form early on, with an incredible seven goals in eight domestic matches. His aerial ability and off the ball movement makes him a huge danger inside the penalty area. Schalke have won just one match on the road this season out of f! our away matches, but ironically enough, Frankfurt have won just a single home match out of four, so its still anybodys game. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Raul have hit form, and Jose Manuel Jurado is starting to hit his stride. If Schalke can continue to play like they have been in the Champions League, they may have too much for their hosts. 22.

Hannover 96 v FC Koln

Kolns Zvonimir Soldo is under increasing amounts of pressure after only managing to take five points from his sides first eight Bundesliga encounters. With an away trip to Hannover this weekend, it looks like Koln could well be on the end of another disappointing defeat. Last weekend, Koln were beaten by a last-minute Nuri Sahin strike against table-toppers Borussia Dortmund, and a loss like that isnt something a squad will easily get over. Hannover have impressed early on, and also have a decent home record so far this season with just one loss coming at the AWD-Arena. If Koln lose, Zoldo might be on his way out of Koln. 21.

Nurnberg v VfL Wolfsburg

Wolfsburgs inability to kill games off has cost them big time already this season. First, their 34 loss to Mainz after leading 30, and now their 23 loss to Leverkusen after leading 20. Wolfsburg have the potential to be the best squad in the league, and they know it. That arrogance could be leading to complacency, and it seems to be costing them. However, Nurnberg shouldnt be able to muster up that kind of level of opposition to Steve McClarens side. If Wolfsburg put three past them, its likely that itll stay that way. Nurnberg are good at home, and Wolfsburg have been poor on the road, but I expect Die Wolfe to have too much for their hosts. 02.

SC Freiburg v Kaiserslautern

Kaiserslautern have hit a dip in form recently after looking very decent early on this season. Freiburg, on the other hand, can boast a striker as clinical as Papiss Demba Cisse, and it has been his goals that have lifted them to a modest tenth place! after e ight games. Neither team is particularly strong, but I think Freiburgs home advantage will see them through this one. 10.

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