Posted on 3/11/2008 7:34:45 PM

UEFA Cup Soccer Betting: Hamburg vs. Bayern Leverkusen

By Nila Amerova

The second leg of the UEFA Cup Round of 16 is upon us, and with soccer odds currently live at BetUS.com, here is a look at some of the matchups scheduled to take the pitch on March 12, 2008.

UEFA CUP ODDS:

Hamburg vs. Bayern Leverkusen

Match Time: 11:45 AM Eastern Time, Wednesday March 12, 2008

Team: Hamburg

Spread -½ EV

Moneyline EV

Total Points Over 2½ +115

Draw +225

Analysis: In the first leg, Hamburg’s defence managed to keep the home side at bay for most of the match, but a 77th minute goal by Greek striker Gekas saw the Hamburgers down 0:1, which turned out to be the final score. Now with home advantage in the second leg, Hamburg is favoured at EVEN odds for the win.

Last weekend, Hamburg was handed their second successive loss when they lost to Nuremburg; on Wednesday, they lost to Bayern. Could their losing streak spell trouble for them in their second meeting against Bayer Leverkusen?

Team: Bayer Leverkusen

Spread +½ -120

Moneyline +260

Total Points Under 2½ -135

Draw +225

Analysis: In the first leg of the Round of 16, Bayer Leverkusen had the edge throughout the match in this all-German affair of the UEFA Cup R16 tie, and thanks to a header from Theofanis Gekas in the second half, they banked on it.

Bayern are predicted to make a deep run into the UEFA Cup this year. In their last two matches, they posted wins – first over Galatasaray 5:1 and then Hamburg 1:0. On the domestic front, they won against Hannover 2:0.

Soccer Betting Verdict: The stakes are high in this match as advancing into the next round of UEFA Cup is on the line. Bayer Leverkusen owns the victory in the first match. Riding a winning streak, their disadvantaged +260 odds are a sweet deal. But history is against them, as in previous seasons Hamburg has managed to defeat Bayer at home – the odds makers would agree, favouring Hamburg at even odds. Nevertheless, I am inclined to take the odds makers bait. Bayer has posted some impressive victories in their last few matches and their confidence is high. Sure Hamburg is backed up against the wall, and will be forced to take the initiative, but with advancement resting on the outcome of this match, I expect them to make a cautious start – even though they have the advantage with playing at home – which could prove to be detrimental to their UEFA Cup campaign.

Soccer Free Picks: Bayer at +260.

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