Hannover 96 V Levante
Thursday, 11 September 2012 – Kick-Off: 18:00 GMT
UEFA Europa League Group L
Darlings of the Spanish Primera Division last season, Levante – who finished the term in sixth place to clinch the final European qualification berth – have began the new campaign in identical fashion: formidable at home, but woeful on the road. Whereas it is two wins from three at home, where all seven of their points have been accrued in the league so far, away from home their record makes for disconcerting reading: three defeats from defeats, with Sunday’s 4-0 annihilation at Osasuna, who at the time were rooted to the foot of La Liga, leaving them with an away scoring differential of 1-9.
In fact, the Granotes (their nickname of Frogs) average the same number of goals conceded away from home (3 per game) that their opponents manage to plunder at home…
Indeed, Mirko Slomka’s charges have been plundering goals like there is no tomorrow at home this season, averaging three a game following high-scoring displays versus Schalke (2-2), Werder Bremen (3-2) and Nurnberg (4-1) in which the Germans registered a tidy seven points from nine at the AWD-Arena. Had it not been for their reliable nature at home, Die Roten (The Reds) would not presently find themselves residing in a very respectable 5th position in the German Bundesliga, even after Saturday’s 1-0 reverse in Hamburg.
Despite their respective forms at home and away justifying the bookies’ quotes of victory for either side – hosts Hannover are odds-on (8/11) across the board, while Levante are a general 4/1 – both teams will be encouraged by the manner in which they began Group L. A clinical Levante edged out Sweden’s Helsingborg 1-0 in Spain; however Hannover’s 2-2 draw in Holland, away to FC Twente, was arguably more impressive. And we shouldn’t forget that this Hannover side – unlike Levante, who are making their debuts in UEFA competition – have already shown themselves to be very accomplished on the continental stage.
It took none other than the eventual winners of the tournament itself, Atletico Madrid, to oust the German club from last season’s Europa League, and the Spanish side did so by the skin of their teeth – last-gasp winners in either leg doing the damage as Hannover went down 2-1 home and away to bow out with their heads firmly held high following a 4-2 aggregate loss.
Surprisingly, they’re form at home was a little sketchy in the group stage, with one win and a couple of draws, but they came good in the knockouts with 2-1 and 4-0 victories over Club Brugge (3-1 victors on agg) and Standard Liege (6-2 victors on agg) respectively, before an 87th-minute strike from arguably Europe’s most accomplished striker right now, Colombian Radamel Falcao, condemned them to a 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the quarter-finals.
So, for me at least, this contest really should follow the form book. If Levante consistently struggle to contend with the travelling aspect of domestic football, how on earth will they contend with long hikes around Europe to some partisan venues? The Germans are 8/11 with Ladbrokes, PaddyPower and StanJames to claim victory in front of a raucous German atmosphere.
Recommended Bet: Hannover to WIN @ 8/11 with Ladbrokes, PaddyPower and StanJames
Match Odds: Hannover 8/11; Draw 13/5; Levante 4/1 (StanJames)
