Will Waspo surprise in France?
An English week is not only in football, also the best water polo teams from Europe have to reel off an increased workload shortly before Christmas. The fifth matchday in the Champions League is on the agenda. A groundbreaking match awaits the German champions Waspo Hannover at CN Marseille in France.
The first four teams of this group of eight secure their ticket to the Final 8. The French are well on their way there. There were three wins in the first four matches. Behind defending champion Pro Recco, Marseille is in second place with nine points. The cushion to fifth is already four points. On this matchday, the French champions could not even theoretically slip down to fifth place.
For Waspo Hannover, the first four places are the longing goal. So far, the Lower Saxons are playing a good round, but are only in fifth place because of two draws. The task in France will be a very difficult one and that’s why the bookmakers tested are clearly predicting a home win in the Marseille vs Hannover clash.
Karsten Seehafer’s team should not allow themselves a defeat, even if it will be difficult to avoid. With a win, however, Waspo would be right back in the thick of things and could perhaps even make the leap to fourth or even third place as a snapshot. However, we would hardly get carried away with placing a bet on an away win between Marseille and Hannover.
Marseille – Statistics & current form
Traditionally, the best water polo players in the world come from the Balkans or at least from the extended area. CN Marseille has taken advantage of this fact and signed numerous players from Serbia, Croatia and especially Montenegro. Coach Milos Scepanovic is also a Montenegrin and was allowed to put together his team according to his own ideas.
Balkan selection underchallenged in France
Nationally, CNM is already well ahead of the competition. Last season, there was a total of only one draw and otherwise only victories. This season, too, everything is going according to plan. With eight wins from the first eight games, Marseille are clearly at the top of the standings. Defending the title in the French league should only be a formality.
Last weekend, the supposed top match against the runners-up from Strasbourg was on the agenda. The visitors didn’t stand a chance at 11:5. Milos Scepanovic’s team has now won eleven of its last twelve games. Only against the Champions League winner Pro Recco was there a defeat.
With the star-studded line-up at the French side’s disposal, Hannover fans could certainly get dizzy. Uros Cuckovic, Andrija Prlainovic or Igor Kovacevic embody absolute world class. There is probably little alternative but to play the odds on a home win between Marseille and Hannover.
Predicted line-up of Marseille:
Lazovic, Hovhannysian – Cuckovic, Vanpeperstraete, Spaic, Prlainovic, Vernoux, Crousillat, Bouet, Marion Vernoux, Kovacevic, Vukicevic, Bodegas – Coach: Scepanovic
Hannover – Statistics & current form
Last season Waspo Hannover made it to the Final 8 in Belgrade. That is the big goal again, whereby national tasks also await. With Spandau 04, they have a rival to compete for the German titles. In recent years, however, the Lower Saxons have usually had the edge.
Waspo with good development
The Champions League is more than deserved and if you look closely, it is clear that Karsten Seehafer’s team has developed very well recently. Unsurprisingly, they are at the top of the Bundesliga table without a single point, just like Spandau.
Waspo has also already achieved great results in the top flight this season with the draw at home against Budapest and especially away with the win at Red Star Belgrade. All in all, Hannover has been unbeaten for seven games. That’s something to build on and that’s why, before the match between Marseille and Hannover, we dare to predict that the German champions won’t concede a significant defeat.
Last weekend Waspo only had to fulfil its duty in the Bundesliga. OSC Potsdam was the guest in their own swimming pool. It was clear early on that there would be a clear victory for the Hanoverians. In the end it was 20:5. The duty is done, now the free skating should follow on Wednesday in Marseille.
Predicted line-up of Hannover:
Schenkel, Götz – Corusic, Macan, Real, D. Brguljan, Radovic, Muslim, Nagaev, Kubisch, M. Brguljan, Schütze, Winkelhorst – Coach: Seehafer
Marseille – Hannover Direct comparison / H2H-balance
Only twice have the teams of CN Marseille and Waspo Hannover met in the pool. In a direct comparison, the score between these two clubs is 1-1 after victories. The first direct duel took place in September 2015, when the Lower Saxons prevailed 10-8 in the Champions League at their own pool.
The last encounter was in the aborted 2019/20 Champions League season. In the group stage, Hannover lost narrowly 7:8 in Marseille, and the return match was not played at all. A Final 8 did not take place afterwards either.
Marseille – Hannover bet
Marseille has become a top international team in the last two years. Reaching the Final 8 should perhaps only be a formality. After all, they got off to a top start in the top flight with three wins from four games. In the national league, too, they have eight wins in eight games this season.
In total, Marseille have won eleven of their last twelve competitive matches. That definitely makes the French the favourites and CNM’s squad also clearly lends itself to this role.
So, as is often the case in water polo, we look at the odds for a handicap. There again, you have to have the right nose. Waspo travels to Marseille with a broad chest after seven undefeated games and last won in Belgrade in the royal class. That’s why we don’t expect the Lower Saxons to let themselves get shot down. We therefore play the betting odds on a handicap win (+5.5) for Waspo between Marseille and Hannover.
