That game came in the middle of Werder’s poor run of form, and they should take a lot of confidence from their win over Hertha; manager Thomas Shaaf will be hoping that it can kick-start their under-performing season.

Panathinaikos lost both of their other games, too and both by two goals (at home to Inter 0-2 and away to Anorthosis 1-3); in their recent games, they have been scoring, but have also been conceding far too many (8 scored and 8 conceded in their last 4 games).

Werder can sometimes humiliate teams with their attacking football and are superb at taking advantage of leaky defences (when in-form); 11 of their last 16 home wins in the Bundesliga have been by more than one goal and with their bad run seemingly over, the $2.25 for the handicap win at Bet365 looks reasonable value, although the stake should be lowered slightly, with their form still in the balance.

BETZINE UK TIP *****

Bet: Handicap (Werder -1 goal) Werder to win Odds: $2.25 Stake: 4pts Bookies: Bet365

Match Betting Previews 4-6 November 2008 >>> Champions League: Group A: Cluj v Bordeaux - AS Roma v Chelsea Group B: Anorthosis v Inter - Werder v Panathinaikos Group C: Barcelona v Basel - Sporting v Shakhtar Group D: Liverpool v Atletico - Marseille v PSV Group E: AaB v Villarreal - Celtic v Man United Group F: Fiorentina v Bayern - Lyon v Steaua Group G: Arsenal v Fenerbahce - Dynamo Kyiv v FC Porto Group H: BATE v Zenit - Real Madrid v Juventus UEFA Cup: Group A: Man City v Twente Group B: Racing v Schalke Group C: Benfica v Galatasaray Group D: Milan v Braga Group E: St Etienne v Rosenborg