Football Bet of the Day: Magic Marcus to shine

Foals' forward to shine

Borussia Mönchengladbach v Hertha Berlin
Friday 19 August, 19:30
Live on Sky Sports

Malmo gave us the win we wanted with room to spare last night, as they saw off Sivasspor 3-1 in the UEL play-offs to continue the Turkish side's awful start to the campaign. We'll swap Sweden for Germany this evening, as resurgent Borussia Mönchengladbach take on Hertha Berlin.

Gladbach have been revitalised by the arrival of former Norwich boss Daniel Farke. His possession-based style seems to suit his more technically gifted players, Alassane Plea and Jonas Hofmann have responded to the lighter mood by signing new contracts, and even the previously listless Marcus Thuram has been put back on track.

French international Thuram wanted to leave last summer, but a move to Inter evaporated because of a knee injury. Last term the wide forward was a shadow of his former self, the spring in his step well and truly eradicated. However, he was outstanding in last weekend's 2-2 draw at Schalke, setting up the Foals' first goal with a delicious back-heel, and scoring a smart second after a goalkeeping error. He also scored in the Matchday One win over Hoffenheim.

Thuram is evens to score or assist against a Hertha Berlin side that still has a long way to go to be considered safe from a relegation scrap. Hertha were swept aside 3-1 by city rivals Union in their last away game, and they conceded four goals in a penalty shootout defeat at lower-league Eintracht Braunschweig in the DFB Pokal.

I'll happily back Thuram to be involved in a goal tonight.