Soccer / Football : Germany : Bundesliga 2007/2008

sports betting news

8.5 : Werder Bremen won 1-0 at Hamburg on Wednesday despite finishing with nine men to clinch a top-three finish, and at least a place in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, for themselves and Schalke. Meanwhile, second division leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach clinched promotion back to the German top flight after moving eight points clear of fourth-placed Mainz with two games to play.

4.5 : Bayern Munich have secured their 21st German title after a 0-0 draw at Wolfsburg ensured that Werder Bremen can no longer catch them at the top of the Bundesliga table. It's also a third domestic double in four seasons, after their Cup final victory over Borussia Dortmund last month. Werder beat Energie Cottbus 2-0 to strengthen their grip on second place in the league.

Third-placed Schalke saw their hopes of claiming second fade when they were held 1-1 at home to Hanover. Hamburg and Stuttgart stayed in the hunt for the third and final UEFA Champions League place after commanding wins. Hamburg won 3-1 away to Hansa Rostock, while outgoing champions Stuttgart strolled to a 4-1 victory at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bayern 30.4 : Defender Willy Sagnol has been suspended for an unspecified period for criticizing coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. The 31-year old Frenchman has endured an unpleasant season under Hitzfeld, as he has lost his starting place in the team to Marcel Jansen, who occupies the left-back slot, which sees Phillip Lahm switch to the right at Sagnol's expense. However, Sagnol is hopeful he will stay on at Bayern Munich this summer, as he has high hopes for Jurgen Klinsmann, who will be taking over from Hitzfeld at the end of the season.

Bayern Munich expect to have goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and defender Philipp Lahm available for Thursday's UEFA Cup semi-final second leg against Zenit St. Petersburg. Both players missed Sunday's league victory over Stuttgart. Kahn had to sit out the Bundesliga leaders' 4-1 triumph because of a trapped nerve in his lower back, while coach Ottmar Hitzfeld decided not to risk Lahm's adductor problem against Stuttgart. Lucio was a third Bayern player to be rested at the weekend, though there are no concerns over his fitness.

Werder 29.4 : Werder Bremen have agreed to discuss a contract extension with Ivan Klasnic despite his lawsuit against two team physicians. The Croatia striker and his lawyers met with Werder representatives Tuesday, less than 24 hours after Klasnic reiterated his charges of receiving inadequate medical attention from team doctors, who allegedly failed to detect a kidney condition that later required two transplants. Klasnic, who wears a fiberglass shield to protect him on the field, has scored six goals in 12 games since his comeback in November.

27.4 : Bayern Munich need just a single point to seal their 21st Bundesliga crown after an impressive 4-1 win over Stuttgart. The result took Bayern 12 points clear with four matches left. Schalke's 1-0 win at Hamburger lifted the Gelsenkirchen club level on points with second-placed Werder Bremen, who were held to a 3-3 draw at Karslruher. Werder and Schalke are six points ahead of Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburger and Stuttgart, all on 48 points.

Fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen could only draw 2-2 at home against Wolfsburg. At the other end of the table, Energie Cottbus, the league's smallest club, eased their relegation fears with a 2-1 win against second-bottom Hansa Rostock. Arminia Bielefeld stay two points clear of the relegation zone after drawing 2-2 away to Nurnberg, who are only one point off the foot of the table. Bottom side Duisburg drew 1-1 at Bochum.

Bayern 26.4 : Striker Miroslav Klose must undergo surgery after breaking his nose in three places during Thursday's draw against Zenit St. Petersburg. The 29-year-old has been ruled out of the Bundesliga game with Stuttgart on Sunday and he may also miss the second leg of the UEFA Cup semi-final against Zenit at the Petrovsky Stadium next Thursday.

Bayer L. 26.4 : Bayer Leverkusen and Germany midfielder Bernd Schneider, 34, will miss the rest of the Bundesliga season after back surgery for a slipped disc on Friday. Also, he will miss the European Championship. The announcement comes a day after Germany coach Joachim Loew said he wanted Schneider in his roster despite his poor form in recent months. Injuries have limited Schneider to just 15 Bundesliga games for Leverkusen this season.

Schalke 24.4 : Schalke have appointed Fred Rutten as their new coach for next season. Rutten, currently with Dutch club Twente, will replace Mirko Slomka, who was fired earlier this month after the club's UEFA Champions League exit to Barcelona was followed by a 5-1 loss to Bundesliga rivals Werder Bremen. The 45-year-old has signed a two-year deal with Schalke starting on July 1. Mike Bueskens and Youri Mulder will stay in charge of the team until the end of the season and then work under Rutten as his assistant coaches.

last results

home win - draw - away win (1-x-2)

German Bundesliga : 47% - 26% - 27%