Schalke will be looking to reignite their Europa League hopes on Saturday afternoon after they slumped to a rather disappointing defeat away at Freiburg last time out.
The performance of Markus Weinzierl’s men, who were odds-on favourites prior to kick-off, was particularly poor last weekend. Despite seeing more of the ball, the visitors failed to really hit their stride and will be aiming for much better here. Fortunately for the home side, Hamburg have been abysmal on their travels this season and, with just two games of the season left to play, are very much among the favourites to make the drop.
Considering that they’re still challenging for a place in Europe, alongside the visitors woes away from home, Schalke are very much fancied to bounce back here and are well worth backing to do so.
Their efforts last time out may well have been substandard, but they’ve looked a far better outfit at home this season and ought to be up to getting the better of a poor visiting side. Weinzierl’s team come into this game unbeaten in seven Bundesliga matches at home, while their overall record at Veltins-Arena is pretty solid. The hosts have lost just four matches on home soil this season and have lost none of their matches against teams in the bottom half. In fact, they’ve won each of their seven home fixtures against teams in 10th place or lower.
With 28 goals to their name, Schalke have looked good going forward on their own patch, while, having conceded just 14, they’ve defended well too. What’s more, having conceded, on average, the second-lowest number of shots on target per game at home, they’re giving little away. Against a Hamburg side who’re struggling for goals, this is particularly encouraging.
Playing away from home has been problematic for Hamburg this season and Markus Gisdol’s men have won just twice away from the comforts of home. They’ve lost 11 of their 16 away matches and, having shipped a total of 35 goals, have conceded the Bundesliga’s second-highest amount on the road. As far as recent form goes, there is little to speak of. The visitors come into this match having failed to win any of their last five on the road. During that time, they’ve conceded a ridiculous 17 goals and have scored just one in reply. Whatever way you spin it, such form is quite frankly embarrassing.
Overall, with Hamburg’s attack failing to fire and Schalke’s useful defensive form at home, the hosts are expected to resume winning ways which might just keep their hopes of finishing in top six alive going into the final weekend.
Read our preview of the upcoming Champions play-offs here.