Eintracht Braunschweig v Wolfsburg
Monday May 29, 19:30
Live on BT Sport 2
Eintracht Braunschweig
It's been fifty years since Eintracht Braunschweig's only Bundesliga title win, and they are desperate to celebrate with promotion. Coach Torsten Lieberknecht says that having amassed 66 points during the Bundesliga 2 season, his players deserve to be in the top flight next season. Although they lost Thursday's first leg 1-0 at the Volkswagen Arena, they competed well in the second half, and made chances to grab a precious away goal.
The Lions have every reason to be confident ahead of the second leg at their Eintracht Stadion. They won 13 of their 17 league games at home, and they scored in every single one. You have to go back over a year for the last time they drew a blank at home. Their 23,000-capacity ground is sold out, and a sea of fans clad in yellow and blue will make their presence felt, especially as their visitors are from just down the road in Lower Saxony.
Braunschweig do have personnel problems. Forwards Domi Kumbela and Julius Biada are both injured, so there's a chance that teenage striker Phillip Tietz could feature. He was signed by Lieberknecht in unusual circumstances - the coach was walking near his house, and saw Tietz having a kickabout in the street with his father. Lieberknecht offered the youngster a trial, and now he could be about to play in the one of the club's biggest ever matches.
Wolfsburg
The Wolves won in their lair, but should be taking a bigger advantage to Braunschweig. Their only goal came from the penalty spot - Mario Gomez converted after a controversial handball award (ref Sascha Stegemann has since admitted he made an error), and it was the German international striker's 18th goal of the season in all competitions. The rest of the Wolfsburg squad have scored just 17 goals between them.
Wolfsburg played really well in patches. Playmaker Yunus Malli had his best game since joining the club in January, Gomez was a strong physical presence, and Daniel Didavi also sparkled sporadically. Andries Jonker's side were the only Bundesliga team this season to pick up more points on the road than they did at home, so they'll be confident they can avoid defeat.
Defensive midfielder Joshua Guilavogui is struggling with a muscle injury, and is racing to be fit. Winger Paul-Georges Ntep is definitely out with a torn thigh, and Ricardo Rodriguez looks to have played his last game for the club, as he's still struggling with an ankle problem.
Match Odds
Given that Braunschweig have only lost once at home all season, they look a big price to me at 3.45. I think they'll put Wolfsburg under early pressure, and I'm not sure the Bundesliga side have the characters to deal with the occasion.
I'm happy to back the hosts Draw No Bet at a generous 2.44.
Both Teams To Score
Braunschweig have scored in all of their home games, but they looked a bit shaky at the back on Thursday. If Wolfsburg grab an away goal, the game will have to open up, as the Lions would then need at least three goals to win the playoff.
Recommended Bets
Back Both Teams To Score at 1.91
Back Eintracht Braunschweig Draw No Bet at 2.44
Monday May 29, 19:30
Live on BT Sport 2
Eintracht Braunschweig
It's been fifty years since Eintracht Braunschweig's only Bundesliga title win, and they are desperate to celebrate with promotion. Coach Torsten Lieberknecht says that having amassed 66 points during the Bundesliga 2 season, his players deserve to be in the top flight next season. Although they lost Thursday's first leg 1-0 at the Volkswagen Arena, they competed well in the second half, and made chances to grab a precious away goal.
The Lions have every reason to be confident ahead of the second leg at their Eintracht Stadion. They won 13 of their 17 league games at home, and they scored in every single one. You have to go back over a year for the last time they drew a blank at home. Their 23,000-capacity ground is sold out, and a sea of fans clad in yellow and blue will make their presence felt, especially as their visitors are from just down the road in Lower Saxony.
Braunschweig do have personnel problems. Forwards Domi Kumbela and Julius Biada are both injured, so there's a chance that teenage striker Phillip Tietz could feature. He was signed by Lieberknecht in unusual circumstances - the coach was walking near his house, and saw Tietz having a kickabout in the street with his father. Lieberknecht offered the youngster a trial, and now he could be about to play in the one of the club's biggest ever matches.
Wolfsburg
The Wolves won in their lair, but should be taking a bigger advantage to Braunschweig. Their only goal came from the penalty spot - Mario Gomez converted after a controversial handball award (ref Sascha Stegemann has since admitted he made an error), and it was the German international striker's 18th goal of the season in all competitions. The rest of the Wolfsburg squad have scored just 17 goals between them.
Wolfsburg played really well in patches. Playmaker Yunus Malli had his best game since joining the club in January, Gomez was a strong physical presence, and Daniel Didavi also sparkled sporadically. Andries Jonker's side were the only Bundesliga team this season to pick up more points on the road than they did at home, so they'll be confident they can avoid defeat.
Defensive midfielder Joshua Guilavogui is struggling with a muscle injury, and is racing to be fit. Winger Paul-Georges Ntep is definitely out with a torn thigh, and Ricardo Rodriguez looks to have played his last game for the club, as he's still struggling with an ankle problem.
Match Odds
Given that Braunschweig have only lost once at home all season, they look a big price to me at 3.45. I think they'll put Wolfsburg under early pressure, and I'm not sure the Bundesliga side have the characters to deal with the occasion.
I'm happy to back the hosts Draw No Bet at a generous 2.44.
Both Teams To Score
Braunschweig have scored in all of their home games, but they looked a bit shaky at the back on Thursday. If Wolfsburg grab an away goal, the game will have to open up, as the Lions would then need at least three goals to win the playoff.
Recommended Bets
Back Both Teams To Score at 1.91
Back Eintracht Braunschweig Draw No Bet at 2.44
