The German Bundesliga continues with round 31 match-ups this weekend. The first contest of this weekend is set to be a thriller, as Bayer 04 Leverkusen entertain FC Schalke 04 at the Bay-Arena on Friday, April 28th ( 18:30 CEST/17:30 GMT). The Schalke 04 will be looking to set the record straight, after they suffered a 0:1 defeat in their previous tussle versus the Leverkusen. However, the Miners will fancy their chances against a Bayer side who is without a win in three league matches, and struggling to resurrect their mediocre season. Here is an essential round-up of all the must know facts, going into this hotly anticipated clash.
BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN vs FC SCHALKE 04
3-Way: 1: Bayer 04 Leverkusen +120; X: +270 Draw; FC Schalke 04 +270
Spread +0.5: Bayer Leverkusen +120 ; FC Schalke 04 -123
Total +2.5 : Over -115; Under +108
BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN
The FC Bayer 04 Leverkusen will be looking to get back to winning ways this Friday, as they play host to the league competitors Schalke 04 at the Bay Arena, in what’s increasingly becoming a must win encounter for the home side. This club is in the midst of a mini crisis of late, going into this weekend’s skirmish, having gone without a win in their last three competitive matches in the domestic league this season.
This current dry patch, has meant that the dwindling Bayer has struggled to gain momentum, and this barren spell looks set to continue, as the club has failed to claim victory in their last four matches played at the Bay Arena, having drawn three out of their four contests. It’s worrying signs for Leverkusen, who were defeated in their last Bundesliga match-up, on the road to Freiburg, at the Dreisamstadion (1:2). Pascal Stenzel slotted home his clubs winner, in the dying embers of the match to secure the victory.
This disappointing result means that Leverkusen lie at the 12th position in the league table, and the side has accumulated 36 points, from their 30 matches played. The struggling club has won five of their fourteen fixtures played on home soil, having equally lost and drawn five times at the Bay Arena.
Bayer will be well aware of the fact that they are only six points clear of the relegation playoff position, which is currently occupied by Augsburg, who has only managed 32 points for the season in this captivating, Bundesliga campaign. This puts added onus on a win, which the club must claim now, more than ever. The scrapping side find themselves perilously close to a relegation battle, as we reach the conclusion of this year’s Bundesliga campaign.
On the plus side, scoring goals at the Bay Arena has come naturally to Leverkusen this season, the side has fired home more than 2.5 goals in 9 of their fifteen home matches played, and the side possesses the 6th best goal tally in the league at home, with 46 goals scored as the hosts.
Leverkusen will be hoping that the magical Mexican Javier Hernandez will have his shooting boots on against Schalke 04 this coming Friday. The prolific striker has found the net on 10 occasions for his club in the Bundesliga, and has netted a further 8 times throughout this year’s Champion’s league competition. Chicharito has a hat trick to his name, and will be looking to trouble Schalke 04’s defensive four this Friday.
Benjamin Henrichs has been struck by illness recently, and it is uncertain as to whether the German full back will return to the squad to face Schalke 04 this weekend.
Lars Bender will definitely miss Friday’s league tussle as the club captain is expected to be out for the season with a persistent Ankle injury.
Steadfast defender Jonathan Tah is a doubt, but could feature after the German player returned to training after sustaining a Thigh injury.
FC SCHALKE 04
FC Schalke 04 will be looking to regain momentum, and extent the gap between themselves and Friday’s opponents to five points, as they prepare to square off at the Bay Arena this Friday. FC Schalke 04 is currently two points clear of Leverkusen, and the club possesses a superior goal difference, with a total of (+4) in this season’s Bundesliga.
SO4’s up and down season has seen the club enjoy descent spells of form at home, currently the side is on an unbeaten streak of six games played on home soil, the latest of which was a well earned draw against title contenders RB Leipzig (1:1). Away from home it’s a different story. This mid-table team has only cultivated two wins, out of their fourteen matches played on the road this season, which is ranked the 15th best away record in the league. Worse still, Friday’s travelling side has tasted defeat in their last two competitive ties played away from home, losing to bottom dwellers Darmstadt 98 (1:2) and earlier in the season (0:3) to a rampant Werder Bremen.
Schalke 04 has struggled to find the net away from home this season, having scored a diminutive total of 32 goals, which is ranked 16th overall in the Bundesliga standings. The Schalke 04’s attack is ranked 15th in the German league, with a meager total of eleven goals scored.
Guido Burgstaller is the sides most potent goal threat this season. The Austrian striker has fired home six goals this campaign, scoring nine in all competitions. This forwards last goal came against league rivals Wolfsburg, back in the beginning of April. Creative midfielder Leon Goretzka, has found the net on five occasions for Schalke 04 this season, a total of eight, in all competitions.
Serbian international Matija Nastasic is currently carrying a calf injury, and it is doubtful that the centre-back will return to the squad ahead of Fridays away trip to German side Bayer Leverkusen. Eric Choupo Moting is also a concern after picking up a knee injury in mid april, the extent of his affliction has not yet been determined, but the Cameroonian striker is likely to be out for the foreseeable future.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN vs. FC SCHALKE 04 PREDICTION
This Friday’s contest promises to be an intriguing tussle, as securing all three points will be of great importance to both sides.
On the one hand, Schalke 04 can extend the gap between themselves and Bayer Leverkusen to five points, and in the process narrow an eight point deficit in their bid to wrestle the Europa league qualification spot from their league rivals Hertha BSC.
On the other hand, Bayer will go one point clear of Schalke 04, if the home team can secure victory on Friday. Both teams have lot’s to play for, and plenty to lose, which makes this enticing clash an unmissable match.
Schalke has combined for 3+ goals in 4 of their last 5 road games, while the hosts have combined for 3+ goals in 3 of their last 6 contest at the Bay-Arena. Everything indicates that we should be seeing a lot of goals, which is why I am taking the over 2.5 goals and an additional pick of both teams to score.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-115)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (-141)
