Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.
After landing a huge 66/1 #OOT special for Werder Bremen’s clash with Bayer Leverkusen last week, our German football tipsters have been busy readying another belter of a Bundesliga OddsOnThat selection for Friday’s Berlin derby between Hertha and Union.
Newly promoted Union won the first bout between the local rivals in the modern Bundesliga era 1-0 back in November, and with the sides separated by just one place and one point ahead of their rematch six months later, the second iteration of the Berlin derby promises to be an equally compelling contest.
Our fußball analysts have come up with five-part #OOT selection for Friday’s eagerly anticipated tussle in the capital that comes in at a whopping 100/1!
Make sure to check out our Hertha Berlin vs Union Berlin predictions for more free betting tips!
What is Betfair’s #OddsOnThat?
Betfair’s #OddsOnThat feature allows you create a customised multiples bet based on your own unique picks ahead of a particular football match. You can choose from a huge variety of markets and once you have decided on your selection, you can request a price for your acca from Betfair on Twitter using the #OddsOnThat hashtag.
Want to add FST’s 100/1 selection straight to your betslip? Check it out below:
Hertha Berlin to win
After they were humbled in last year’s derby at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, Hertha will be out for revenge on Friday, and judging by last week’s performance, they will come armed with the power of the new manager bounce.
Bruno Labbadia took charge of Die Alte Dame for the first-time last weekend following his appointment in early April, and promptly masterminded a 3-0 win for Hertha at Hoffenheim – a performance that was arguably their best of the campaign so far.
Union were turned over 2-0 by defending champions Bayern Munich in their first game after the break, and while that result wasn’t exactly unexpected, it means they cross Berlin without the momentum that their hosts seem to have at present.
Die Eisernen also have a poor away record to contend with, and having lost eight of their first 13 Bundesliga games as the visiting team this term, we think they carry enough weaknesses for Hertha to exploit.
Both teams to score
While Union have struggled to secure many positive results on their travels this season, their goal-scoring prowess as visitors has remained largely consistent.
In the 13 away games they have contested so far in 2019/20, Die Eisernen managed to score in 10 of their assignments, and only failed to register at big hitting trio – Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg.
Union will back themselves to score again on the road against a Hertha side that has keep their visitors out just three times in 13 attempts at the Olympiastadion.
At the other end, the statistics point to a porous trend however, and Union’s only away clean sheet of the season so far was won at second from bottom Werder Bremen. Those numbers suggest that we should expect goals at both ends in Friday’s Berlin derby.
Matheus Cunha to score anytime
After scoring in back-to-back Bundesliga fixtures as Hertha’s star performer in games against Fortuna Dusseldorf and Werder Bremen before the season’s postponement, Matheus Cunha got straight back into the goal-scoring groove at Hoffeheim last week in Die Alte Dame’s first game back.
Deployed as a traditional number 10 by new boss Bruno Labbadia, Cunha excelled as the team’s creative conduit and rounded off his excellent display with the game’s third goal on 78 minutes.
With his confidence soaring, Cunha will be eager to maintain his red-hot streak in the final third, and the Brazilian should have opportunities to notch against a Union Berlin defence conceding just shy of 2.0 goals per away game this season.
Robert Andrich to get booked
Union Berlin anchorman Robert Andrich is Die Eisernen’s chief midfield ball-winner and for anyone designated that particular role in any team, picking up yellow cards comes with the job description.
Andrich has been shown yellow nine times already this season – a total that places him joint third on the list of the Bundesliga’s most carded players in 2019/20.
The 25-year-old holding midfielder was one of Union’s best players when they toppled their Berlin rivals Hertha last year, though Andrich’s defensive workload is certain to be heavier for the return game across the capital.
With the tackles flying, we think the former Hertha academy starlet is among the prime candidates to collect another yellow card.
Dedryck Boyata to get booked
Hertha Berlin’s Belgian centre-half Dedryck Boyata is a very familiar face to Bundesliga officials. The 29-year-old has been shown yellow seven times already this season – more than any of his teammates at Die Alte Dame.
The former City youngster’s love of a meaty challenge and his penchant for mis-timing them always makes him worth considering in the cards markets, and it’s worth noting that five of his seven yellow cards were picked up in games at the Olympiastadion this term.
Incidentally, Boyata was shown one of his two Bundesliga away bookings this season in November’s Berlin derby at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, and with his competitive edge likely to be just as sharp for Friday’s rematch, we’re backing the imposing defender to get carded again.
More FST News:
What we learned from the first week back in Bundesliga
Which Bundesliga team should you support?
Hertha Berlin vs Union Berlin – How to watch on TV and live stream and possible lineups
Football Manager 2020: Best 5 German clubs to manage
Find our expert’s latest German football betting tips on our Bundesliga predictions page
