Hoffenheim were in the 5th tier of German football 8 years ago, but heavy investment from a life-long fan Dietmar Hopp has improved the clubs fortunes dramatically and they now top the Bundesliga with 2 wins from 2 games.

A 3-0 win for Hoffenheim away to Cottbus was followed by a 1-0 win over Monchengladbach last week; spirits could not be higher for Hoffenheim and they will go into this game against one of the giants of German football, hopeful of causing an upset.

Last week’s 2-0 win away to Stuttgart was surprising, and though Leverkusen will gain some confidence from that result, both goals were as a result of poor defending, with the first being a laughable error from former Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann.

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers

Though Hoffenheim will still go into most games this season as underdogs, their odds of relegation have already lengthened massively to $10.00; with such high investment in the club, bookies are sure that Hoffenheim will remain in the Bundesliga for the foreseeable future.

Yet, Leverkusen were for most of last season, one of the very best sides in Germany, and until the middle of March last season their home record was an impressive 8-3-1; though many will be hoping the Hoffenheim fairytale continues, Leverkusen are too highly priced at $1.85 from Mybet.com and Hoffenheim, though impressive in their opening games have only beaten last season’s strugglers and another promoted side and they will find it a lot tougher going against a side of Leverkusen’s ability.

BETZINE UK TIP *****

Bet: Leverkusen to Win Odds: $1.85 Stake: 8pts Bookies: mybet.com

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers