Home and Away: Freiburg to end Stuttgart's cup hopes

 

Taking in games in the Russian Cup quarter-finals and German Cup semi-finals, Christian Crowther offers two more picks...

 

Anzhi Makhachkala v Dinamo Moscow

 

The Russian Premier League's answer to Chelsea have been floundering a little domestically since being knocked out of the Europa League by Newcastle.

 

However, Guus Hiddink's side returned to winning ways on Sunday by dispatching Volga Nyzhnyi Novgorod 3-0 in the league, to keep the pressure on Zenit St Petersburg,  currently occupying the second Champions League spot.

 

In mid-table Dinamo Moscow, Anzhi face last year's Russian Cup runners-up in this quarter-final clash but, critically, they have drawn the bumper home card.

 

Whether they've been playing home fixtures in Makhachkala or - for European occasions - in Moscow, Samuel Eto'o and co haven't been friendly to visitors, going 21  games unbeaten ahead of this visit.

 

They've only dropped eight points as hosts in the league all season and made light work of Liverpool, Young Boys, Udinese and Hannover in the Europa League. They also  won comfortably in their last league meeting with Dinamo in October, prevailing 2-0 in Moscow.

 

Following their European exit, Hiddink will be fully intent on collecting some silverware to showcase his side's improvement and, this being his last chance now that  their title challenge has stalled, the Dutchman will be sure to throw everything at it.

 

Bet 1: Anzhi Makhachkala (HOME) @ 2.16

 

 

Stuttgart v Freiburg

 

It's German Cup semi-final time as Stuttgart fight it out in this derby with Freiburg to face Bayern Munich, who destroyed Wolfsburg 6-1 on Tuesday night, in the  final.

 

Despite having home advantage, Stuttgart are not in desirable form ahead of the visit of Freiburg, who have designs on displacing Schalke in fourth in the German top- flight.

 

Sunday's win over Borussia Monchengladbach was only their second in their last eight matches across all competitions.

 

Freiburg in comparison come into this game bristling with confidence following three straight Bundesliga wins over three other teams in the top ten.

 

This is largely due to the endeavours of midfield maestros Jonathan Schmid and Max Kruse, who have bagged eight of the team's last 10 goals between them.

 

The away side are yet to travel to Stuttgart in the league but handed out a 3-0 pummelling back in November.

 

This cup run has also thrown three away ties Freiburg's way previously and each time they have risen to the challenge, winning inside the 90 minutes twice and on extra  time in the other.

 

Bet 2: Freiburg (AWAY) @ 3.1

 

Bet HERE

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