Hamburg V Fulham Betting: UEFA Europa League

 

UEFA Europe League: Semi-Finals, First Leg

 

 

Hamburg V Fulham

 

Thursday, 22^nd April – 20:05 (GMT)

HSH Nordbank Bank Arena, Germany

LIVE on ESPN

 

 

 

Hamburg

 

Outright Odds: 3.25 Bet365

 

The only thing standing between Hamburg and a home final, with the competition show-piece itself being in Hamburg at the Nordbank Arena, is England’s Fulham. The Germans made it this far last season before bowing out to fellow Germans Werder Bremen. To get so close but receive no final reward will have been a blow for the Hamburg players and fans, but they’ve worked hard through the season and their valiant efforts could finally be rewarded in that elusive European final.

 

Hamburg have been Mr. Consistent in Europe down the years, none more so than at the Nordbank Arena. The venue for not only this first leg encounter with Fulham but also the final venue. It’s a big bonus and huge plus considering Hamburg are unbeaten in seven home game in Europe, while Arsenal are the only English team to have won at the Nordbank Arena back in 2006 in the UEFA Champions League. Home has certainly proven to be a cosy little setting for Hamburg, and they’ll set out to make it count with aplomb on Thursday night as they aim to avoid their second successive semi-final slip up.

 

The German didn’t exactly warm up for this semi-final encounter in confident fashion, as Hamburg suffered their seventh league defeat of a somewhat deflating season. Bruno Labbadia, the Hamburg coach, now faces a stiff task getting Hamburg back into this competition next season as the loss to Mainz on Saturday sent them spiralling down to seventh in the table, outside the European places. It leaves the club in a ‘do or die’ situation in regards to this seasons Europe League in that the likelihood now is Hamburg must win the competition if they wish to have another bite of the cherry next year. Moreover, the Mainz defeat also came at home denting the positive aurora around the Nordbank Arena as Hamburg’s eight match unbeaten run at home in the league was diminished by one of the league’s weaker teams.

 

While Saturday’s defeat might play on their minds, Hamburg is a team full of experienced players with several breaching the 30 mark. Their more notable veteran is Holland’s Ruud Van Nistlerooy, whom despite only joining midway through January, has a 50% strike rate after scoring 5 goals in 10 games for the German side, of which two of those did come in Europe. The Dutchman will lead the line for Hamburg alongside Mladen Patric (5 Goals in this competition) and the pair will form a deadly combo up front. The dangerman, however, will come in the form of Piotr Trochowski, who can strike a decent shot as well as create openings for the strikers. Trochowski especially will look to take this first leg to the English side as they seek out a first leg lead on German soil.

 

 

 

Fulham

 

Outright Odds: 6.00 BetFred

 

As Fulham contemplate a road trip to Germany due to the Volcanic ash causing havoc with airports, the only thing on the minds of the Fulham fans will be the prospect of a first ever major European final for the Cottagers. It’s been a memorable journey just to get this far ranging from their 3-0 win in their very first Europa League game in the qualifying round, to their stunning 4-1 victory against Juventus. It’s been unforgettable but can Fulham go that extra mile by beating the consistent Hamburg from Germany over two legs as a début final beckons.

 

Fulham have amazed everyone with their efforts in the competition thus far, and it’s because of this why very few are willing to rule out Fulham springing another surprise. They’ve hardly been extravagant in their games, although the sensational 4-1 win over Juventus in the Round of 16 will tell a different story. Fulham have been workmanlike all the way through, not giving an ounce of space away without a fight. The Cottagers have also had this ‘never say die’ attitude, one which has steered them through some difficult situations, none more so than their heroics against Juventus. The one thing you definitely need in order to go far is team spirit and Fulham certainly have a tonne of that.

 

The omens are good despite Fulham steeping into unknown territory. This is the furthest the club have ever got in Europe, while a Europa League final would take some beating in the Fulham history books. Fulham did beat German opposition in the previous round though, the quarter-finals, as they comfortably seen to the reigning German champions, although soon to be dethroned, Wolfsburg. Fulham even had the audacity to win on German soil, with the Cottagers etching out a confidence boosting 1-0 win at the Volkswagen Arena proving there and then that they have what it takes to not only win a crucial encounter away from home in Europe, but to win on German soil. Something they will try to do again on Thursday.

 

While Fulham did amazingly well to win over in Germany in the last round, their away record back home in England is pretty poor, and Fulham do have a terrible history of poor away form. So, it should come as little surprise to hear Fulham have won just one of their three away encounters in the knock-out stage of the competition, with that win of course coming at VFL Wolfsburg in the last round. With this in mind, as well as their poor away record in general, it’s safe to assume that while a win in Hamburg would be a fantastic result, Roy Hodgeson won’t set his side up in an attacking manner and will instead try to sit back, absorb some Hamburg pressure and play on the counter by using the strength and hold-up ability of Bobby Zamora, who has 6 Europe League goals to his name this season and is enjoying his best ever spell in the Premiership back home in England. He scored Fulham’s winning goal over in Germany in the last round and is on the verge of scoring in his fourth consecutive Europa League game.

 

 

 

 

 

Europe League Statistics (Knock-out)

 

Hamburg

 

Overall Record: 4-0-2

Home Record: 3-0-0

Offensive Record at Home: 6

Defensive Record at Home: 2

EL Form: LWLWW

 

 

 

Fulham

 

Overall Record: 4-1-1

Away Record: 1-0-2

Away Offensive Record: 3

Away Defensive Record: 4

EL Form: DLWWW

 

 

 

Match Verdict: Hamburg to WIN – 1.67 Boylesports

 

A draw would be a fabulous result for our Fulham, and we will definitely cheer them on. However, Hamburg know the importance of winning the first leg as attaining a result over in England will be tough at a Craven Cottage were big sides have fallen this season. The Germans will go out onto the field in a ruthless fashion, aiming to put the Fulham defence under a lot of consistent pressure straight from kick-off. The crowd will get right behind them and with that it’s difficult to see Fulham getting a look in. The Cottagers have been stubborn in some of their away displays in Europe this season, while they’ve been pretty lethargic and one paced in others. They could produce another whirlwind effort in Germany but Hamburg are a different proposition from Wolfsburg, who Fulham beat in the last round.

 

With the Germans going all out in their bid to etch out a vital first leg win, we will side with them to achieve their goal. It will require a brave defensive effort from Fulham to restrict Hamburg’s enjoyment in front of goal and, unfortunately, we don’t seem them succeeding. We reckon this will end somewhere along the lines of 3-1 to Hamburg.

 

 

 

Match Odds:

 

Hamburg – 1.67 Boylesports

Draw – 3.75 bWin

Fulham – 5.50 Bet365