Prediction and odds for the game: Schalke (9/2) v Bayer Leverkusen (8/13)
We are backing Kai Havertz to be an anytime goalscorer at odds of 23/20
When: Sunday, 14th June 2020, Kick-off 17:00
Where: The Veltins Arena
On Sunday evening, Schalke host Bayer Leverkusen at the Veltins Arena, as the visitors attempt to enhance their chances of qualifying for the Champions League from the Bundesliga.
Schalke
The home sides league form has simply collapsed in recent weeks. David Wagner’s team has slipped to tenth in the table, seven points outside the top-six and the European spots.
A 1-1 draw with Union Berlin last time out means that the visitors have failed to win any of their last 12 games in the German top-flight. There was one positive from the draw in the German capital in the fact that it at least ended a four-game losing run for the Royal Blues in the Bundesliga. However, on the flip-side, the result means they have kept just one clean sheet in their last ten league outings.
Schalke are very generous hosts, as they have failed to any of their last five Bundesliga games at the Veltins Arena, having suffered three defeats and picked up two draws. Wagner’s team has struggled to find the net on home soil of late too, scoring just once in their last four league games on their own patch.
Bayer Leverkusen
Unlike Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen’s challenge for a top-four spot has well and truly alive. It’s close at the top, with third-place RB Leipzig three points ahead of Monchengladbach and Peter Bosz team. However, the Foals are only ahead of the visitors by virtue of five points goals, which could easily turn around in the last four gameweeks.
A recent inconsistent run of form has hampered Bayer’s challenge for a top-four spot, as they have lost two of their last three matches. A 4-2 home defeat by Bayern Munich last time out was rather inevitable though considering how the champions are just steamrolling most opponents of late in the top-flight.
While the visitor’s recent form may have been inconsistent in the Bundesliga, their attacking efforts have not, as Bosz’s team has now scored at least two goals in seven of their last nine league games.
Bayer have a strong recent away record in the German top-flight, winning six of their last eight matches on their travels in the Bundesliga. The visitors have also failed to score in just one of their last 11 league matches on the road.
Conclusion
Schalke have been in woeful form of late in the Bundesliga and we expect Bayer to record a victory. However, we are looking at the goods market for what we are backing. Leverkusen forward Kai Havertz is 21 today and we are backing him to making a scoring return after missing the last game through injury.
We are also backing over 2.5 goals scored, as Schalke have been leaky in defence and Bayer have prolific of late in front of goal.
Verdict: We are backing Kai Havertz to be an anytime goalscorer at odds of 23/20 and/or over 2.5 goals scored at odds of 8/11. (All are taken from Bet365).
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Will Schalke’s terrible recent league form continue against Leverkusen?
