Wolfsburg – Hannover 25.01.2014

Wolfsburg had a fantastic first part of the season, although the first few rounds were not that good as expected.

However, Wolfsburg are unbeaten in nine straight Bundesliga matches, and they showed some really dominant performances in the last two months of last year. Their last defeat was the 2-0 loss against Eintracht Braunschweig and since then they managed six wins and three draws. Ivica Olic is also restless in the attack, and his wonder goal in the victory against Borussia Dortmund, was voted as the best goal of the first part of this Bundesliga season. He had scored seven team goals so far. Wolfsburg is an attacking side, especially at their home ground where they have netted at least two goals in 10 of their last 12 matches. Wolfsburg also did a great job this winter by buying the Belgian International Kevin de Bruyne from Chelsea, so the team will be even stronger than the first part of the season. De Bruyne will have his team debut in this match. Ochs is suspended for this match.

Hannover are having the worst season in years, and that led to sacking of their long time coach Mirko Slomka, just couple of days after Christmas. Slomka departure was pretty much expected, but appointing the 39 years old Tayfun Korkut as their head coach was a bit unexpected and raised some eyebrows. Hannover is a team with two faces. At home they are strong, but away they look like a group of amateurs. Amazing fact is that they have lost all of their eight away matches this season. Not only they lost all of their away matches so far, but also have scored just six and conceded 20 goals in their 8 away matches. Hungarian midfielder Szabolcs Huszti is Hannover’s best player this season with six goals scored, and he also contributed with ten assists in the team total of 23 goals. During the winter break, Hannover brought the 25 years old Latvia international Artjoms Rudnevs on loan from Hamburger, and he should strengthen the attack partnering Mame Diouf.

Wolfsburg is a stronger and has better preparation team in my eyes, they won 6 of their last 8 home league games, but Hannover lost all their 8 away games so far. Hannover and Tayfun Korkut still need times for sure, Wolfsburg can go on their good run without big problem here.