The Golden Nuggets 2010/11 - German Bundesliga

By Sports Magician

WITHOUT BAYERN MUNICH

Opposing Bayern Munich in the each-way market seems futile as the strength of the Bavarian squad appears too tough a challenge for any of the other Bundesliga contenders. Instead of essentially wasting a portion of our stake on the win market we will look to find the best value available without Bayern in the equation. Louis Van Gaal’s side are a touch too short for us to find worth in backing them for the title, but should they encounter a sticky start to the season, as they did during the last campaign - then we will surely have to consider backing Bayern at a greater price than they are at present.

Hamburg had a relatively disappointing campaign during 2009/10, finishing 7th in the league and failing to reach the Europa League final which was held in their home stadium. Armin Veh was appointed as head coach almost as soon as last season ended and will hope to experience better fortune than he managed during his last appointment. Veh took over from Felix Magath at Wolfsburg, after the Wolves won the Bundesliga. His reign was over by January and he has now been afforded a wonderful chance to rebuild his reputation.

Hamburg’s summer transfer activity has been well orchestrated and the club are stronger than they were last season. Jerome Boateng left for Manchester City, but Hamburg have replaced him with fellow German international Heiko Westermann (from Schalke). Talented Serbian midfielder Gojko Kacar has also joined from Hertha Berlin. Westermann will partner Joris Mathijsen at the back, who was a pillar for the Dutch at the World Cup. German internationals Dennis Aogo and Marcell Jansen also form part of the squad.

Experience is the key to the Hamburg midfield with Czech captain David Jarolim often setting the tempo and keeping the team ticking over. Ex-Bayern and Brazil midfielder Ze Roberto is still going strong and the midfield has an added touch of class through another German international Piotr Trochowski. It’s in attack where Hamburg have greater options than the other pretenders chasing after Bayern. Dutch speedster Eljero Elia put himself in the spotlight at the World Cup with a series of impressive displays off the bench. His searing pace was a nightmare for defenders to contend with and he will look to build on his first season with Hamburg in which he scored 5 goals.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy joined the German club in January after he was deemed surplus to requirements at Real Madrid and scored 5 goals in only 11 league appearances. The Dutchmen clearly showed he still has plenty to offer in a career which has been full of goals (332 of them in 531 appearances). Peruvian Paolo Guerrero increases the options upfront, to the point where young Swedish star Marcus Berg has been loaned out to PSV for the season. The jewel in the frontline is Croatian Mladen Petric who has a wand for a left foot.

Werder Bremen, Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg are all ahead of Hamburg in the betting for this market and none of those sides can claim to have better squads than Hamburg possess. Especially when Bremen and Wolfsburg might end up losing their star attractions, Mesut Ozil and Edin Dzeko, before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

PICK: 3*HAMBURG WIN BUNDESLIGA WITHOUT BAYERN MUNICH @ 10.00 (BLUESQ / 888 SPORT)

Sports Magician