This week the fifth matchday of the
UEFA Europa League group stage will be played. On Wednesday
Hamburger SV hosts
SK Rapid Vienna in
Group C. Both clubs have chances towards reaching the knockout phase. Hamburg is second of Group C with 7 points, Rapid Vienna is third with 4 points. So the Viennese must reach at least a draw to protect their chance.
The opening fixture of the Europa League group stage ended very disappointing for Hamburg, because they lost the away game in Vienna against Rapid 0-3. Better it runs on matchday 2. HSV beat Hapoel Tel-Aviv 4-2. On matchday 3 and 4 followed the two games against Celtic Glasgow. Hamburger SV won the first leg in Glasgow 1-0, the second leg at home ended goalless drawn. Therewith HSV lost the table leading on Hapoel Tel-Aviv. In the German Bundesliga the Labbadia men are since 6 games without a win. So they are fallen back on table rank 5. Hamburg has lost the last both home games: 2-3 vs Mönchengladbach und 0-1 vs VfL Bochum. The last HSV win in a regular game was on 22 October, 2009 at the 1-0 against Celtic Glasgow. In the home game against Rapid Vienna coach Bruno Labbadia will have to pass on 6 long time injured players, besides Eljero Elia, Jonathan Pitroipa and Mladen Petric are problematic.
SK Rapid Vienna provided in this Europa League season for some surprising results. The Austrian record champion eliminated in the play-offs the English Premier League club Aston Villa. Then they continued their run in the group stage. First they beat Hamburger SV 3-0 then they played 1-1 at Glasgow against Celtic. So Rapid Vienna become to one of the favourites of Group C. But then followed the two games against Hapoel Tel-Aviv. The first leg in Israel ended 1-5, the second leg in Vienna ended 0-3. Better was their performance in the national championship where Rapid takes over the table leading after wins over Austria Vienna (4-1) and Sturm Graz (2-1). On Sunday Pacult´s side defended the leading position with a goalless draw in the top game against Red Bull Salzburg.
The first leg in the UEFA Europa League group stage between SK Rapid Vienna and Hamburger SV ended 3-0 for the Viennese. The goals scored Steffen Hofmann (35.), Nikica Jelavić (44.) and Christopher Drazan (76.).
Hamburger SV vs SK Rapid Vienna
UEFA Europa League - Group C, Matchday 5
Wednesday, 02.12.2009, 9:05 pm CET
Hamburg, HSH Nordbank Arena
Injured:
Hamburger SV: Alex Silva, Bastian Reinhardt, Zé Roberto, Romeo Castelen, Paolo Guerrero, Collin Benjamin
SK Rapid Wien: Hannes Eder, Christopher Drazan, Branko Boskovic
My tip: Hamburg is in a crisis and coach Labbadia will miss some keyplayers. So this could be a chance for underdog Rapid Vienna. I guess that Rapid can reach at least a draw and bet on double chance X2.
The best odd for tip X2 (double chance) you find at Sportingbet with 2.95
