Prediction and odds for the game: Fortuna Dusseldorf (11/10) v Paderborn (9/4)
We are backing the draw at odds of 13/5
When: Saturday, 16th May 2020, Kick-off 14:30
Where: The Merkur Spiel-Arena
The fight for Bundesliga survival resumes on Saturday after the break for COVID-19, as Fortuna Dusseldorf and Paderborn meet at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.
Fortuna Dusseldorf
The home side are currently in the relegation play-off spot in the German top-flight. However, they are four points clear of 17th place Werder Bremen and are only four points behind Mainz who occupy the safety of 15th place. Fortuna are far from finished this season.
If the home side are to avoid the play-off and indeed the automatic relegation spots, they must up their game. However, they have won just two of their last 15 matches in the Bundesliga. A three-game unbeaten run and five points garnered before the break may be a sign that Fortuna have turned the corner for the better.
Fortuna will look to experienced frontman Rouwen Hennings to inspire in this clash. The 32-year-old has found the net on 11 occasions this season. Midfielder Erik Thommy was also in good goalscoring form before the break, scoring three times in four league matches.
The home side needs all the help they can get, considering that they have failed to win in their last four home games, picking up just two points in the process. Fortuna have failed to keep a home clean sheet in seven matches in the Bundesliga, leading to over 2.5 goals scored in five of the seven matches.
Paderborn
The visitors are rock bottom of the Bundesliga after winning promotion last season. Despite their lowly position, Stefan Baumgart’s team are just six points behind the home side in the table. A win in this clash would prove a massive boost to their survival hopes.
The break in Bundesliga action came at a good time for the leagues bottom team. They had failed to win in six league matches, having suffered five defeats, including in their last four Bundesliga outings. Woeful defensive performances played a big role in their poor results, as they have conceded at least two goals in those four straight league defeats.
Another factor in their league position and their recent poor results has been poor away form. Paderborn have won just two of their last 12 league games on their travels. Their previously mentioned defensive problems have been illustrated in their away matches, as the visitors have conceded at least two goals in seven of their last ten matches on their travels in the Bundesliga.
Conclusion
The break may have come at a good time for both teams, as they needed to rethink and reset. It is difficult to choose between the two teams. Therefore, we are backing the draw. We believe this game will be relatively tight, so we are also backing under 2.5 goals scored.
Verdict: We are backing the draw at odds of 13/5 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at evens. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Who will come out on top in this basement battle in the Bundesliga?
