Prediction and odds for the game: Schalke (11/8) v Monchengladbach (9/5)
We are backing the draw at odds of 5/2
When: Friday 17th January 2020, Kick-off 7:30 PM
Where: The Veltins Arena
On Friday night, Schalke host Monchengladbach at the Veltins Arena, in what could be one of the biggest games of the Bundesliga weekend.
Schalke
The team from Gelsenkirchen are experiencing a solid first season under former Huddersfield head coach David Wagner. The home side are only outside the Champions League spots courtesy of an inferior goal difference to fourth-place Dortmund. A victory in this clash would actually move Schalke level on points with reigning champions Bayern Munich.
The Royal Blues experienced mixed fortunes in the Bundesliga at the end of 2019, winning just one of their last four games last year. On the flip-side, the home side are unbeaten in three matches in the German top-flight, having sufferers just one defeat in their last nine league games.
Wagner’s team are a tough nut to crack at the Veltins Arena. In fact, they are unbeaten in eight Bundesliga games on home soil. They have drawn four and won four of those recent unbeaten home matches. Schalke have been prolific of late on home soil, scoring at least two goals in three of their last four Bundesliga games.
Monchengladbach
The Foals are enjoying an impressive Bundesliga campaign under Austrian boss Marco Rose. The visitors are currently second place in the Bundesliga table, trailing leaders RB Leipzig by two points.
Despite their good form this season, Gladbach finished 2019 in an inconsistent manner, by winning one, drawing and losing one of their final leagues of last year. Hertha Berlin held Rose’s team to a 0-0 draw in their last Bundesliga game. The game in the German capital saw the Foals fail to score for only the third time in their last 14 Bundesliga outings.
The visitor’s recent games in the German top-flight have been relatively high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in six of their last nine matches in the Bundesliga.
Gladbach’s achilles heel this season seems to be their away form, as the Foals have won just once in their last five Bundesliga on their travels while suffering a concerning three losses in the poor run.
The visitors have struggled to find their feet in front of goal on their travels in the German top-flight, scoring just three goals in their last five matches on the road.
One positive for the Foals heading into this game is that are undefeated against Schalke in the last eight meetings in all competitions.
Conclusion
This one promising to be a fascinating encounter. Neither team are in great form, but both have the potential to put on an entertaining encounter. We are backing the draw in this one. Five of the last seven meetings have finished all-square. We reckon this one will suit.
We are also backing the game to be a relatively tight one and backing the under 2.5 goals, as Schalke are hardly prolific at home, while Monchengladbach have failed to impress in front of goal away from home of late.
Verdict: We are backing the draw at odds of 5/2 and or the under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 11/8. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Who will come out on top between Schalke and Monchengladbach?
