Augsburg vs Nurnberg
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Today’s free tip is in the Bundesliga game between Augsburg and Nurnberg.
Augsburg have been one of the revelations of Bundesliga football this year. They’ve been an absolute delight to watch and they showed that last time out by ripping VfB Stuttgart to shreds away from home. Perhaps it’s unfair of me to call them a “revelation”, though – what has actually been revealed about them? They’ve not loaned in a wonderkid or suddenly been backed by a Russian billionaire. What I mean to say is that Augsburg have played some really good football without any fear this season and I’ve really enjoyed watching them because of it.
If you dissect the Augsburg team, you’d struggle to find many top-notch players, if indeed any. However, what you do have is a tremendous level of understanding and tenacity, which they have to thank boss Weinzierl for. Altinop, Werner, Baier, and especially Hahn have all had very good campaigns and the combination of everyone throughout the team has propelled them into a comfortable mid-table placing rather than battling against relegation as many were expecting. I do love how fearlessly Augsburg play, though – you have to watch them to appreciate it entirely, in my opinion. They do concede goals but their belief and desire to attack and score goals allows them to outscore plenty of sides too. They’ve now gone over 2.5 goals in all of their games in 2014 despite facing Bv09 Borussia Dortmund, Werder Bremen, and VfB Stuttgart along the way, losing none of those games. Augsburg enter this game with plenty of confidence and it’ll take a braver man than I am to oppose them with that in mind.
Nurnberg are no shrinking violets themselves, however. I’ve long associated them as a side that defends rigidly, a side that is a nightmare to give a lead to. However, they’ve developed their counter-attacking game massively this season, frequently scoring goals away from home as a result. Outside of the top eight in the Bundesliga, only three sides have scored more goals on the road than Verbeek’s team, which is why they’re not to be taken lightly. However, a poor defensive record on the road has cost them many, many points this season, which has resulted in just one away win all season long. Therefore, although it’s wise to be wary of what Nurnberg can do to be obstinate and difficult, it’s also worth remembering that their defence isn’t too hard to breach either.
Swiss striker Drmic has been in terrific form for Nurnberg this season and he’s the focal point of their attack. Kiyotake and Hlousek are important too but it’s Drmic that is the main threat away from home and he’ll be instrumental if this tip is to win today. Nurnberg will get their chances against Augsburg’s defence and it’s imperative that they take them, especially with Ginczek’s absence likely to harm their attacking. Chandler’s absence in defence further damages their ability to keep sides out and despite Nilsson and Pogatetz both returning at the back for Nurnberg, I don’t believe that they’re anywhere near good enough to keep their hosts out here.
Nurnberg have scored in all but two away games this season and only Dortmund have stopped Augsburg from scoring at home this season. Football doesn’t always follow the trends that it shows but with the above taken into consideration, you really have to feel that this derby (of sorts!) has the potential to go over 2.5 goals at 9/10.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 9/10.
Sunday’s Picks
As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!
Argentinian Primera Division:
Gimnasia de la Plata vs Newell’s Old Boys (4) 1-1
Atletico Lanus vs Atletico Rafaela (7) 1-0
Rosario Central vs River Plate (5) 1-1
Boca Juniors vs Belgrano de Cordoba (6) 2-1
Australian A-League:
Wellington Phoenix vs Melbourne Heart (6) 2-1
Brisbane Roar vs Newcastle Jets (7) over 2.5 goals
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
AA Gent vs Lokeren (5) 1-1
Anderlecht vs Mons (7) over 2.5 goals
Croatian Prva Liga:
Osijek vs Slaven Koprivnica (5) 0-1
Zadar vs Rijeka (5) 1-2
French Ligue 1:
Olympique Lyonnais vs AC Ajaccio (7) 2-0
Evian Thonon Gaillard vs LOSC Lille (5) 1-1
Saint-Etienne vs Olympique de Marseille (6) 2-1
German Bundesliga:
Augsburg vs Nurnberg (6) 2-1
Hertha BSC Berlin vs VfL Wolfsburg (6) 2-1
German Bundesliga 2:
Aalen vs Energie Cottbus (6)
Sandhausen vs Koln (5)
Paderborn vs Arminia Bielefeld (6)
Greek Super League:
Asteras Tripolis vs PAOK Salonika (5) 1-2
Panaitolikos vs Apollon Smirnis (6) 1-0
Panionios vs PAS Giannina (6) 2-1
Aris Salonika vs Veria (5) 1-0
Panthrakikos vs Panathinaikos (5) 1-1
Israeli Ligat Ha’al:
Beitar Jerusalem vs Maccabi Haifa (5) 1-2, at least one red card in this game
Italian Serie A:
Catania vs Lazio (5) 2-1
Juventus vs Chievo Verona (7) 2-1
Cagliari vs Livorno (6) 2-1
Sassuolo vs SSC Napoli (7) over 2.5 goals
Atalanta Bergamo vs Parma (5) 1-1
Genoa vs Udinese (5) 1-1
AS Roma vs Sampdoria (7) 2-1
Dutch Eredivisie:
Cambuur Leeuwarden vs PEC Zwolle (5) 1-1
NAC Breda vs Feyenoord Rotterdam (5) over 2.5 goals
Groningen vs Go Ahead Eagles (6) 2-1
AFC Ajax Amsterdam vs Heerenveen (6) over 2.5 goals
Portuguese Liga Sagres:
Maritimo Funchal vs Vitoria Setubal (6) 1-0
Arouca vs CD Nacional de Madeira (5) 1-1
Vitoria Guimaraes vs Rio Ave (6) 1-1
Pacos de Ferreira vs SL Benfica (7) 1-2
Gil Vicente vs Porto (7) 1-2
Portuguese Liga de Honra:
Atletico Club de Portugal vs Moreirense (6)
Penafiel vs Portimonense (5)
Beira-Mar vs Santa Clara (4)
Porto II vs Leixoes Matosinhos (4)
Feirense vs Academico Viseu (6)
Sporting Club de Portugal II vs Tondela (5)
Trofense vs Desportivo Aves (5)
Chaves vs Uniao Madeira (6)
Farense vs Maritimo Funchal II (5)
UD Oliveirense vs Sporting Covilha (5)
Scottish Premier League:
Celtic vs St.Johnstone (7) over 2.5 goals
Spanish Primera Liga:
Granada vs Real Betis Balompie (5) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Getafe vs Real Madrid (7) over 2.5 goals, at least one red card in this game
Athletic Club de Bilbao vs Espanyol (7) 2-1
Sevilla CF vs Valencia CF (6) 2-1
Spanish Segunda Liga:
Deportivo La Coruna vs Sporting Gijon (5)
Ponferradina vs Alcorcon (5)
Girona vs Lugo (5)
Deportivo Alaves vs Real Murcia (6)
Recreativo de Huelva vs Mirandes (6)
Numancia vs Cordoba (6)
Turkish Super Lig:
Akhisar Belediye vs Kayseri Ericyesspor (5) 1-1
Besiktas JK vs Bursaspor (6) 2-1
Fenerbahce vs Kasimpasa (7) 2-1
Enjoy your free betting tips!