The leaders want a reaction after Kiel, and Bielefeld bring back an awkward memory
Seven wins from seven, then a 0-0 at bottom-of-the-table Holstein Kiel: Hertha’s perfect start ended last Friday, not because they played badly but because Kiel goalkeeper Timon Weiner had the game of his life. Stefan Leitl’s side still lead the 2. Bundesliga by four points, and they now face a Bielefeld team that has won its last two games. The last time Bielefeld played Hertha, in May, they won 6-1, a defeat Leitl was asked about again this week.
„Wir müssen da jetzt kein Fass aufmachen, sondern die Jungs unterstützen.“ – Hertha coach Stefan Leitl on his side’s finishing after the draw in Kiel (“We don’t need to make a big fuss about it, we need to support the lads.”)
Predicted lineups: Hertha vs Bielefeld
Hertha’s settled side is intact. Gustaf Nilsson (thigh) and Márton Dárdai (pubic bone) are out, but both have only come off the bench this season and neither has scored, while Boris Mamuzah Lum has not featured in the league. Michael Kolbe is fit again after flu, and left-back Mads Pedersen, who was only brought on after 69 minutes in Kiel to protect a sore knee, returns to the starting line-up, according to kicker. Leitl has also announced some rotation at full-back with the DFB-Pokal trip to Jeddeloh II on Wednesday in mind. Bielefeld’s only absentee is Vincent Ocansey, who has torn a cruciate ligament. That is bad news for the player, but he had made just one substitute appearance in the league, so it does not change Kirch’s side. kicker expects Momuluh, one of the two substitutes who turned that game, to start alongside Grodowski, with Rochelt again an option from the bench. The line-ups follow kicker’s predictions.
Hertha Team News & Preview
The draw in Kiel was a classic case of a goalkeeper stealing a point. Weiner denied Adewumi three times, Grønning hit the post with a free header from close range, and substitute Schuler was stopped again seven minutes from time. Hertha controlled the first half hour and created enough to win comfortably. The only real scare came when Gersbeck had to save a Harres header before half-time.
At the Olympiastadion they have been perfect: three league games, three wins, against Heidenheim (4-1), Magdeburg (2-1) and Fürth (2-1). Overall Hertha have scored 19 goals, conceded eight, and average almost seven shots on target per game. Josip Brekalo, with four goals and a FotMob rating of 8.21, is their best-rated player by some distance.
What works for or against Hertha
- Unbeaten in the league: seven wins and a draw.
- Almost seven shots on target per game.
- Failed to score at bottom side Holstein Kiel last Friday.
- DFB-Pokal trip to Jeddeloh II follows on Wednesday.
Bielefeld Team News & Preview
Bielefeld beat Osnabrück 2-1 last Sunday, but it took a defensive gift and two substitutes to get there. Meißner put Osnabrück ahead after Sicker’s error, Bauer headed in an equaliser from a Sicker free-kick, and the game only swung after Kirch brought on Momuluh and Rochelt. Momuluh chased down a long ball and crossed, and Rochelt headed the winner five minutes from time. It was Bielefeld’s first home league win since August and their second win in a row.
The away record is the problem. Bielefeld have lost 2-1 at Karlsruhe, 4-1 at Nürnberg and 2-1 at Darmstadt, and their only away win came 1-0 at Bochum. Joel Grodowski is their top scorer with five, and the back three has been leaky on the road: eight goals conceded in four away games.
What works for or against Bielefeld
- Two league wins in a row.
- Grodowski has five league goals.
- Three defeats in four away league games.
- Eight goals conceded in those four away games.
Hertha vs Bielefeld Odds
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Hertha Berlin vs. Bielefeld Form Guide
Hertha Berlin Form, Stats & Data
Hertha create more than two expected goals per game, and their actual goals match that almost exactly. This is not a side riding its luck. The 0-0 in Kiel was the exception, not a warning sign.
Bielefeld Form, Stats & Data
Bielefeld are a mid-table side in every number: even goal difference, decent expected goals, but only 3.5 shots on target per game. That is half of what Hertha produce.
Hertha vs Bielefeld: Prediction & Betting Tip
I am backing the leaders. Hertha have won all three home league games, they produce almost twice as many shots on target as Bielefeld, and the performance in Kiel was good enough to win most matches. Bielefeld have won once in four away games and conceded eight goals in those trips.
The strongest argument against is the 6-1 from May and Bielefeld’s recent momentum. Kirch’s side have shown they can turn games with their substitutes, and Hertha have a cup tie in midweek, so Leitl might manage minutes late on. Even so, Hertha were in a very different place last season, and Leitl’s comments show the players are not panicking after one blank.
My bet is Hertha BSC to win at 1.76 with Winz. I expect a 2-1.