Two teams that had very different kind of seasons last year in the German Bundesliga are set to meet in the week 1 at Veltins-Arena. The host, Schalke 04 team is hoping for a return to the European competition stage and a strong performance in front of their own crowd against the last season’s runners-up is an imperative.
On the other side, RB Leipzig’s fans are flying high since last season as the team managed to achieve one of the best results ever by finishing the season ranked second in the league table in their first year as top tier Bundesliga squad. The fans on both sides will certainly have some big expectations on Saturday when it comes to result but our expectations are a bit wider, having in mind that we want to see some quality soccer and preferably the outcome that goes along with our betting predictions. Nevertheless, big fun is guaranteed so let’s get prepared.
Schalke 04 vs. RB Leipzig
Three-Way: 1: Schalke 04 +195; X: +250 Draw; RB Leipzig +170
Spread 0: Schalke 04 +112; RB Leipzig -114
Total +2.5: Over -104; Under +100
SCHALKE 04
Last season the Miners were one of the worst teams in German Bundesliga for a couple of reasons. First, they recorded one of the weakest season openings in team’s entire history by suffering five consecutive defeats in first five rounds. They’ve had some fine periods when they stayed undefeated and this was the only reason for the No. 10 spot ranking in the league table at the end of the season. Second, they were a nightmare for guys who would bet on them and a ray of light for the bookies as they were unpredictable as a soccer team can get. I still remember that unbelievable defeat in mid-April last season when they lost a game against already relegated and rock-bottom ranked Darmstadt team that was pretty mind-boggling. And third, they’ve “treat” their fans with that late UEFA Europa League quarter-finals exit against Ajax after a 3:0 lead at some point of the game.
In order to avoid a similar scenario this season, team’s board first appointed a new head coach, relatively unknown Italian native manager who previously worked as a coach for young selections in VfB Stuttgart and TSG Hoffenheim 1899. I don’t see how he is qualified for the job but let’s assume that team’s board knows something that we don’t. Then, they performed a roster overhaul by letting eight guys to leave the team, a couple of which was very important parts of the squad like Left-Back Sead Kolasinac who signed with Arsenal FC on a free transfer basis. Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting, Timon Wellenreuther, Dennis Aogo, Phil Neumann and Klaas-Jan Hunteral are amongst others who left the team after their current contract expired and quickly found new arrangements.
On the other side, the team spent 47.50 Mill. Euros, in order to strengthen the squad and most expensive acquisition, was central midfielder Nabil Bentaleb who came from Tottenham for a fee worth 19.00 Mill Euros. Other notable signings were Yehven Konoplyanka (Sevilla FC), Amine Harit (FC Nantes), Bastian Oczipka (E. Frankfurt) and Pablo Insua (Dep. La Coruna). We’ll see how these big changes in the squad will affect the team but frankly, I think that these were not right moves when it comes to choosing the coaching staff and players who are supposed to lift the team from mediocrity.
Donis Avdijaj’s (ankle) status is unknown while Alessandro Schopf (cruciate ligament) is expected to be back in training in late August.
RB LEIPZIG
Unlike their next opponents, the 2016/17 season was a dream come true for RB Leipzig team and fans. They exceeded all expectations by finishing ranked second in the league table thus earning an automatic UEFA Champions League group stage berth after only one year in the company of the best. RB Leipzig will be definitely looking for a strong start they had last year when they went undefeated in first 13 rounds snatching 10 wins along the way.
This year, RB Leipzig will face an even greater challenge of playing on two fronts, in the national championship, and on the European stage, and this will provide us with an answer if the last season’s performance was just a fluke or will the RB Leipzig manage to keep up with the strong performances in this season as well. It looks like they took this notion seriously as the board made sure that team keeps their best players from last season. Centre-forward Davie Selke who was sold to Hertha BSC for a fee worth 8.00 Mill. Euros and midfielder Rani Khedira are the only relatively notable departures during the offseason while the team added a couple of young and potentially impactful players by spending almost 40.00 Mill. Euros on transfers. The young additions should provide some stability in the years to come, especially if RB Leipzig becomes a regular top German Bundesliga participant.
Centre-forward from Paris SG, Jean-Kevin Augustin was acquired along with Portuguese winger Bruma who came from Turkish side Galatasaray. Midfielder Conrad Laimer came from Austrian RB Salzburg while goalie Yvon Mvogo signed from BSC Young Boys. Several young prospects were also added including eighteen years old centre-back Ibrahima Konate who came from French side FC Sochaux. When we put everything together, RB Leipzig team looks ready for the next step that includes strong European competition performances and consistency in the national championship. We’ll see how it plays out for them.
Philipp Kohn’s (cold) status is unknown for the matchup with Schalke while Bernardo (ankle), Emil Forsberg (heart problems) and Yvon Mvogo (back) are all back in training and could dress up on Saturday.
Schalke 04 vs. RB Leipzig – Match Prediction
One of the best and one of the worst teams from bookie’s point of view last year will lock horns in the first round of the new German Bundesliga season and I think it’s time to be courageous when it comes to selecting picks here. That’s the reason my first pick here will be a draw and the additional pick will be at least one goal scored by both teams.
My pick: Draw (+250)
Additional Pick: Both teams score Yes (-135)
