In German, a busy week of football such as the one lying ahead in the Bundesliga is referred to as an 'English Week', due to midweek games being a more common occurrence in the English football league. The final such round of midweek fixtures kicks off on Tuesday night as mid-table battlers Köln and Ingolstadt face off, whilst bottom side Hannover meet Champions League outfit VfL Wolfsburg on the back of a hugely important win at the weekend.
With March upon us and spring just around the corner, Köln will be looking to finally emerge from hibernation and get some points on the board in the new year. Their record in 2016 leaves a lot to be desired: They've only won one league game and have taken just five points since the league returned from the winter break. A loss tonight would be their third in a row – the last time that happened was back in 2014 when they had just returned to the Bundesliga from the second division. The key reason for their recent struggles undoubtedly lies in their defence, with no clean sheets in their last nine. The only club with a longer such run is Werder Bremen, who currently occupy the relegation play-off position. Without an improved performance at the back, they could soon see themselves also slipping down into danger.
By contrast, Ingolstadt's defence has been one of the stories of the season. Only defending champions and runaway league leaders Bayern München have conceded fewer than Ingolstadt's 24, whilst their home form is even more impressive. After finding themselves on the end of a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Borussia Dortmund in their first home Bundesliga fixture, they have conceded just six goals in their subsequent ten games in front of their own fans. They have not conceded more than once in any of those games, and a win tonight would spell three consecutive home wins in the Bundesliga for the first time in the club's history.
Hannover looking to claw their way out of trouble against the Wolves
Saturday's impressive comeback win for Hannover away to Stuttgart was not enough to lift them off the foot of the table, but it will certainly give them confidence of getting a positive run going as they battle for their Bundesliga lives. The win ended a run of eight straight defeats to put them on 17 points after 23 games – the same total they had at this stage in the 2009/10 season, when they managed to successfully stave off relegation. Things are not going so favourably for their opponents tonight, either. Wolfsburg's loss to Bayern at the weekend was their eighth this season – three more than they accrued in total in last year's campaign.
Hannover will be looking to history for inspiration this evening. Their record against Wolfsburg is undoubtedly strong, taking 17 points of a possible 24 in their last eight meetings. In addition, they have scored in each of their last ten games against the Wolves, averaging almost two goals per game. If they find a way to continue their strong form against Wolfsburg when they run out in front of their home fans this evening, they could well take another huge step in the direction of staying in the Bundesliga next season.
In German, a busy week of football such as the one lying ahead in the Bundesliga is referred to as an 'English Week', due to midweek games being a more common occurrence in the English football league. The final such round of midweek fixtures kicks off on Tuesday night as mid-table battlers Köln and Ingolstadt face off, whilst bottom side Hannover meet Champions League outfit VfL Wolfsburg on the back of a hugely important win at the weekend.
With March upon us and spring just around the corner, Köln will be looking to finally emerge from hibernation and get some points on the board in the new year. Their record in 2016 leaves a lot to be desired: They've only won one league game and have taken just five points since the league returned from the winter break. A loss tonight would be their third in a row – the last time that happened was back in 2014 when they had just returned to the Bundesliga from the second division. The key reason for their recent struggles undoubtedly lies in their defence, with no clean sheets in their last nine. The only club with a longer such run is Werder Bremen, who currently occupy the relegation play-off position. Without an improved performance at the back, they could soon see themselves also slipping down into danger.
By contrast, Ingolstadt's defence has been one of the stories of the season. Only defending champions and runaway league leaders Bayern München have conceded fewer than Ingolstadt's 24, whilst their home form is even more impressive. After finding themselves on the end of a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Borussia Dortmund in their first home Bundesliga fixture, they have conceded just six goals in their subsequent ten games in front of their own fans. They have not conceded more than once in any of those games, and a win tonight would spell three consecutive home wins in the Bundesliga for the first time in the club's history.
Hannover looking to claw their way out of trouble against the Wolves
Saturday's impressive comeback win for Hannover away to Stuttgart was not enough to lift them off the foot of the table, but it will certainly give them confidence of getting a positive run going as they battle for their Bundesliga lives. The win ended a run of eight straight defeats to put them on 17 points after 23 games – the same total they had at this stage in the 2009/10 season, when they managed to successfully stave off relegation. Things are not going so favourably for their opponents tonight, either. Wolfsburg's loss to Bayern at the weekend was their eighth this season – three more than they accrued in total in last year's campaign.
Hannover will be looking to history for inspiration this evening. Their record against Wolfsburg is undoubtedly strong, taking 17 points of a possible 24 in their last eight meetings. In addition, they have scored in each of their last ten games against the Wolves, averaging almost two goals per game. If they find a way to continue their strong form against Wolfsburg when they run out in front of their home fans this evening, they could well take another huge step in the direction of staying in the Bundesliga next season.
