Schalke 04 vs Borussia M'gladbach Predictions, Betting Tips, & Match Preview

Defeats in difficult fixtures against in-form sides Frankfurt, reigning champions Bayern Munich, Hertha Berlin, Cologne and, most recently, Hoffenheim have left Schalke without a point at the foot of the table, still searching for their first Bundesliga win under coach Markus Weinzerl. Schalke were, of course, expected to start their Bundesliga campaign much stronger after an impressive preseason and the signing of a handful of promising new players over the summer. However, Schalke’s performances have simply not been up to scratch, scoring just two goals – a joint league low – and conceding two or more in all but one of their five fixtures so far this season. Schalke need to get the ball rolling on Sunday if they stand any hope of rebuilding their lost confidence.

Borussia Monchengladbach, who had a similarly slow start in their 2015/16 Bundesliga season, are having no such problems this time around under the guidance of Andre Schubert. The visitors won 2-0 at home to FC Ingolstadt in the Bundesliga last weekend, which took their tally to three wins, one draw and one defeat so far. Gladbach look set for another top four run this season, however, there is still some cause for concern regarding their recovering away form – Borussia M’gladbach have won just one of their last 13 Bundesliga away matches (W1 D4 L8). While all is well in the league, M’gladbach have also had the extra pressure of their mid-week UEFA Champions League group stage match at home to Barcelona. Thorgan Hazard put them ahead with a trademark counter-attack in the first half, however, Gladbach were ultimately bettered by the Spanish champions, ending their chain of eleven consecutive home wins.

With Schalke in poor overall form and Borussia M’gladbach struggling to perform on the road, it’s difficult to call which way this match this will go. However, recent trends and meetings between the two sides indicate there should be plenty of goals here. M’gladbach’s extremely attacking 3-5-1-2 formation has seen both teams score in three of their last four Bundesliga away matches. Meanwhile, over 2.5 goals were scored in five of Schalke’s last seven home matches and in three of the last five meetings between the two sides. Combining the above with the fact that this fixture tends to favour the hosts – the home side has won in four of the last five meetings between them- then we fancy Schalke to finally get their season up and running.

As such, over 2.5 goals at 7/10 and Schalke to win 2-1 at 17/2 are our choice bets for this match.