Schalke vs Hoffenheim Prediction and Preview – 18/12/15
Bundesliga Preview – Schalke vs Hoffenheim Prediction
Matija Nastasic and Marco Höger are Schalke’s long-term absentees with with achilles tendon and cruciate ligament injuries respectively and this game could come too soon for Dennis Aogo who is still suffering from a hamstring strain picked up in training. Fabian Giefer has recovered from a groin injury and Atsuto Uchida’s knee complaint has cleared up, so the pair will be pushing for inclusion here.
Jiloan Hamad remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury picked up in March and is not expected back until after the winter break along with Kai Herdling. Hoffenheim have a number of doubts ahead of this game with Philipp Ochs(thigh), Jens Grahl (elbow) and Steven Zuber (ankle) hoping to make it back in time. Kevin Kuranyi also picked up a mysterious injury ahead of the Hannover game on Sunday.
Possible Line-ups
Schalke: 4-2-3-1 formation: Fährmann, Reither, Höwedes, Matip, Kolasinac, Goretzka, Geis, Sané, Meyer, Choupo-Moting, Huntelaar
Hoffenheim: 4-4-1-1 formation: Baumann, Kaderábek, Schär, Süle, Kim, Elyounoussi, Schwegler, Strobl, Schmid, Amiri, Volland
Statistics
- There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Hoffenheim’s last 7 games in the Bundesliga
- Hoffenheim have failed to win 9 of their last 10 away matches in the Bundesliga
- Schalke have scored 12 and conceded 11 goals at home in the Bundesliga this season.
- Hoffenheim have scored 8 and conceded 12 goals on the road in the Bundesliga this season.
- The home side has prevailed in each of the last 3 meetings between these sides.
- There have been over 2.5 goals in each of the last 7 meetings between these sides.
Prediction
These sides have been trading blows over the past few meetings and if following the current trend of the home side coming out on top, it could be Schalke’s turn to claim 3 points. However, losing to an injury-time goal against Augsburg on Sunday will have left a bad taste in the mouth, while conversely Hoffenheim will be pleased to have ended their barren run of results by claiming a narrow victory over Hannover.
The problem for Huub Stevens’ men is their poor away form and with just a single victory in 10 Bundesliga games on the road, it’s hard to see the visitors getting anything at the Veltins-Arena. Schalke have only lost twice at home in the league this season, so can be expected to bounce back and André Breitenreiter will be desperate to head into the winter break on the back of a win.
Whatever happens there are usually plenty of goals when these sides meet, so those that are confident of a home victory can add an extra characteristic to the bet to get more favourable odds.
Tips
Schalke to win at 13/18 with 888Sport
Schalke to win and over 2.5 goals at 6/4 with Paddy Power
Schalke to win 2-1 at 8/1 with 888sport
What are your predictions?
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