Standard Liege vs Hannover 96 - Europa League

Standard Liège vs Hannover 96
Europa League - Group B: 5th Round
Date : 30 November 2011
Stadium : Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège

Standard Liège host Hannover 96 for the penultimate match day of the UEFA Europa League Group B on Wednesday. With eight points both teams lie on top of the table, four points ahead of the FC Copenhagen. So a draw seems probable at this constellation, and that also was the result when both teams first met in Hannover in September (0:0).

The last 3:1 win at Vorskla Poltava has given Standard Liège a strong position in Group B. Even if they would lose now against Hannover, a point in the last match in Copenhagen would be enough to progress. Liège is unbeaten in Group B, even conceded just a single goal so far, played 3:0 against Copenhagen and 0:0 against Poltava at home. Also in Belgium Jupiler League Standard are very strong at home, just lost a single point in the Stade Maurice Dufrasne (7-1-0). Liège had some problems at the beginning of the season, but won six of the last seven matches in Jupiler League recently. Captain van Damme will be suspended on Wednesday.

Hannover's only victory in the last six matches has been the very important 2:1 win in Copenhagen, but in the Bundesliga they stagnated currently. Last Saturday they could at least manage to come back from a 0:1 deficit to finish 1:1 against Hamburg at home. While they are the second worst away side in Bundesliga (1-1-4), they do well away from home in Europa League, won 2:1 in Copenhagen and Poltava, also played 1:1 in Sevilla in qualification. Like Liège also Hannover are unbeaten in Group B.

HEAD to HEAD
Last Meeting : 15 September 2011, Standard Liège 0-0 Hannover 96
Wins Standard : 0
Wins Hannover : 0
Draws : 1

RECENT PERFORMANCE
Standard - D/W/W/W/W
Hannover - L/W/L/D/D

POSSIBLE LINE-UP
Standard : Bolat - Goreux, Kanu, Felipe, Pocognoli, Vainqueur, Buyens, Mujangi Bia, Seijas, Tchité, Cyriac.
Hannover : Zieler - Cherundolo, Haggui, Pogatetz, Schulz, Schmiedebach, Pinto, Stindl, Pander, Schlaudraff, Abdellaoue.

BETTING TIP / PREDICTION
Should Copenhagen not win in Poltava at the same time, Liège and Hannover would be in the next round with a draw. If Copenhagen wins, it doesn't matter for Liège, if they share the points or lose, they would have to get a point in Copenhagen in the last match then.
Hannover would probably need a point at home against Poltava, if they play 0:0 in Liège. They would have to beat Poltava, if they lose.
For the stated reasons Standard might play offensive to go for a win, on the other hand also a draw could be enough. Liège a strong home side, but Hannover strong enough to get the point. Accordingly a draw is the most likely result.