Bundesliga high-flyers Wolfsburg resume their league campaign with the home clash against struggling Hannover, with the hosts buoyed by the capture of Kevin De Bruyne from Chelsea. Meanwhile, the 96ers sit dangerously close to the relegation zone as they attempt to end an eight-match losing run on the road.

Serious top 4 contenders

Wolfsburg have invested considerable funds into the playing squad over the last few years, but it is now clear that it was controversial coach Felix Magath who was holding them back. The Wolves in turn flourished under Dieter Hecking, but it has to be noted that club management offered a great deal of help to the new boss. Wolfsburg officials not only managed to keep hold of star midfielder Diego, but also signed two world-class players in Luiz Gustavo and Kevin De Bruyne, so no wonder they are now being mentioned as serious top 4 contenders. The Wolves ended the first part of the campaign on a high, recording 6 wins and 3 draws in last nine league fixtures and there are no doubts they will be hoping to continue where they left off. There are no doubts the arrival of De Bruyne will make the team even more dangerous up front and with the Belgian having already spent one season in Bundesliga, he should be able to adapt to the new surroundings in no time. And with Wolfsburg winning six of eight home fixtures in the league this term, surely they can see off a team that have yet to win the first point on the travels.

Christian Trash is doubtful with a virus, whereas Patrick Ochs is suspended and Jan Polak and Vieirinha are out injured.

No longer a force to be reckoned with

Even with Mirko Slomka taking Hannover to unimagined heights over the last few years, the club chiefs decided to sack the long-serving coach following some disappointing results in the first part of the season, appointing inexperienced Tayfun Korkut in his place. That does not seem to have been a very good decision given that the 96ers could be involved in a difficult relegation tussle and I am really surprised they haven’t turned to a more experienced coach. There are plenty of problems to be sorted if Hannover are to avoid a very disappointing season, with key attacker Mame Biram Diouf’s desire to leave the club in January one of those. On top of that, the 96ers desperately need to find the cure for their travel sickness, seeing as how they are the only side in Bundesliga, and possibly in top European leagues, that have yet to bring a point from the road. Taking account their 0-0-8 away record and injuries to some important players, I just don’t see how they are going to stop red-hot Wolfsburg from winning this clash.

Steven Cherundolo is unlikely to start as he battles a knee problem, whereas striker Mame Biram Diouf is short of match fitness. Artur Sobiech, Didier Ya Konan, Felipe and Christian Pander are definitely out.

Verdict

Having ended the first part of the season in style and captured Kevin de Bruyne in January, Wolfsburg look a good bet to continue the impressive run of results with a comfortable triumph over out-of-sorts Hannover. The 96ers are in all sorts of problems at the moment and surely they cannot be trusted to end the barren away run at Volkswagen Arena.

Top pick: Home win   1.60 (3/5) @ William Hill

Alternative pick 1: Wolfsburg/Wolfsburg   2.40 (7/5) @ Paddy Power

Alternative pick 2: Wolfsburg with -1.5 AH  2.42 (71/50) @ bet365