Wolfsburg vs Everton preview - Hecking: Bendtner 'will be on fire' - 7M sport

Wolfsburg vs Everton preview - Hecking: Bendtner 'will be on fire'



Posted Thursday, November 27, 2014 by PA

Wolfsburg boss Dieter Hecking feels Nicklas Bendtner may well be extra-motivated for Thursday's Europa League Group H home clash with Everton, as the opponents are an English side.

Striker Bendtner joined his current club over the summer after he left the Toffees' fellow Barclays Premier League outfit Arsenal, for who his performances were frequently derided.

Asked on Wednesday if he expected the 26-year-old Denmark international to be even more fired up than usual in Thursday's match, bearing in mind the reputation he left the English game with, Hecking said: "If that is his motivation, then I am expecting he will be on fire tomorrow, yes."

Bendtner, who came off the bench around the hour mark, could not prevent Wolfsburg crashing to a 4-1 defeat when the Germans met Everton earlier in this campaign at Goodison Park.

The two clubs go into this contest - their penultimate group game - both looking set to qualify for the knockout rounds, with Roberto Martinez's unbeaten visitors top of the pool with eight points and Wolfsburg second with seven, four clear of third-placed Lille and five ahead of rock-bottom Krasnodar.

Hecking's men, second in the Bundesliga, have been in fine form since the Everton defeat, winning 10 of 13 fixtures in all competitions, and another victory on Thursday will guarantee a place for them in the knockout rounds.

Everton need only a point to guarantee progress to the next stage but Martinez has stressed that his side will be going for victory on Thursday and that they will in no way be taking their opponents lightly.

The Spaniard feels the 4-1 win Everton recorded against Wolfsburg at Goodison Park earlier this term was not an accurate reflection of the match.

"To try to win is the only approach we have," Martinez said.

"We had a really good game at Goodison against Wolfsburg, although the scoreline did not reflect the amount of chances both teams had.

"We massively respect Wolfsburg and know how well they have done.

"We feel they are a really exciting team, we know they are going to be in the Champions League next season and we know they are going to go from strength to strength.

Hecking agreed: "I think the result last time we met didn't really reflect the match.

"I think at the moment we are in a very good condition, but so are Everton as well."

Hecking confirmed defender Ricardo Rodriguez and forward Vieirinha are in line to feature having returned to full training, but midfielder Josuha Guilavogui misses out.

Forward Steven Naismith is among a considerable group of players who have not travelled with Everton, along with Leighton Baines (hamstring), Gareth Barry (ankle), Darron Gibson (knee) and Steven Pienaar (knee).

John Stones (ankle) and Antolin Alcaraz (shoulder) are also injured and Bryan Oviedo is still working his way towards match fitness, but Arouna Kone's rehabilitation from his long-term knee issue is nearing completion and he is a notable inclusion in the squad.



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