Hertha Berlin get another chance to save their Bundesliga status when they face Fortuna Dusseldorf in a play-off, with the first leg taking place on Thursday.
Hertha Berlin looked set to make an immediate return to the second tier when they went into the final game of the season in the automatic relegation places, but they produced a superb last stand to beat Hoffenheim 3-1, relegating Hoffenheim instead.
Now they face a two-legged play-off to retain their top-flight status, and they go into this first leg with renewed confidence after the victory over Hoffenheim ended a six-game winless run. The bookmakers share that confidence, making Hertha Berlin 10/11 favourites to win this first-leg encounter at the Olympic Stadium.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga finished the regular season as Hertha Berlin’s leading goalscorer and he is an important figure for them in this tie. The 20-year-old striker is 6/1 to be the first goalscorer and 15/8 to score anytime.
Opponents Fortuna Dusseldorf scraped into the 2 Bundesliga play-off spot, finishing ahead of FC St Pauli on goal difference only.
They ended the regular season on a three-match unbeaten run after following up a win over Union Berlin with draws against MSV Duisburg and champions Greuther Furth, and they will be confident that they can get the better of Hertha Berlin over two legs. Fortuna Dusseldorf are 3/1 to make a superb start to this tie by winning in Berlin, while the draw, which they would also be happy with, is 5/2.
This game comes under bet365’s “Bore Draw” promotion. Place a pre-match correct score, half-time/full-time or scorecast bet and if the match finishes 0-0, bet365 will refund all losing bets on those markets.
