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Borussia Dortmund vs. Schalke 04
Just before the international break, the Bundesliga has another real football treat in store for us. After a one-year abstinence, the Revierderby returns to Germany’s highest division as Schalke play first-class football again. They are guests at Signal-Iduna-Park on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 pm and face their great rivals Borussia Dortmund. Behind the Borussians lies a disappointing week with defeats against Leipzig and Manchester City. But the performance against the Skyblues in particular is encouraging.
The Schalkers, on the other hand, had a difficult start to the new season, but won their first match in the Bundesliga since their return on the last matchday. In the 3:1 win against Bochum, the Knappen showed a strong display of will and deservedly walked off the field as winners. As a result, Schalke have taken six points from their first six games. On Saturday in Dortmund they are clearly inferior, but as we know, anything can happen in a derby. Find out who we think will come out on top in this Dortmund – Schalke betting tip.
Dortmund – Schalke info:
– Date & Time: 17.09.2022, 15:30 Uhr
– Venue: Signal-Iduna-Park (Dortmund)
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 7
– TV broadcast: Sky Sport
Dortmund Form & Balance Check
If someone had asked the Dortmund officials before the start of the season whether they would agree to be level on points with Bayern after six matchdays, everyone at BVB would probably have signed off on it. Nevertheless, the mood is not entirely positive after the first games this year. In particular, the clear defeat against RB last weekend pissed many off, as the Black and Yellows were outplayed for 90 minutes. In general, the team regularly lacks the necessary bite, which was also evident in the defeat against Bremen. In the Bundesliga, Dortmund still do not look like a top team despite twelve points after six games – mainly because of their inconsistency.
The performances in the premier league give hope
Dortmund’s best performances so far this season have been in the Champions League. The start went perfectly with the 3-0 win against Copenhagen, when they were the better team over 90 minutes and scored great goals. But even better was actually the performance against the Skyblues on matchday two, when they looked like the winners for a long time and only lost narrowly at the end due to a lack of grain. Reus and Bellingham played particularly strongly, leading the way and being responsible for Dortmund’s goal in Manchester. If BVB can manage to deliver such a concentrated performance consistently in the Bundesliga, then they would definitely be a serious title contender.
Dortmund facts & analysis
– Scored in every home game this season.
– Currently occupy fifth place in the table
– Both wins at home in the Bundesliga have been 1-0
Schalke Form & Balance Check
It seems as if a jolt has gone through Frank Kramer’s team after the 1:6 blow against Union Berlin. First they were convincing in Stuttgart and came within a hair’s breadth of their first win of the season, then they scored three points for the first time this season against VfL Bochum. In the end, Schalke were the deserved winners in a competitive match, even though playful deficits were once again exposed. The Knappen will probably not play Tiki-Taka again this season, but that is not what the squad is made for. It is all about collecting enough points to be above the line at the end of the season.
Defensively more stable, but still not secure
Actually, Frank Kramer stands for placing great emphasis on goal defence. The playing system of the teams that the new coach of the Knappen has already coached was generally of a defensive nature. But in the first few weeks, it was hardly possible to keep the back line tight. After only four match days, Schwolow had to make eleven saves and Schalke were two points off the bottom of the table. But the last two games are encouraging. Against Stuttgart and Bochum, Königsblau conceded one goal each and were closer to victory than their opponents in both matches. If they can manage to put this performance on the pitch consistently, S04 have a realistic chance of staying in the league.
Schalke facts & analysis
– Still without a win away from home
– Scored in five of six games this season
– 50 percent of Schalke’s goals have come from a set piece situation this season
Predicted line-up – last update on 15 September 2022
BVB are slowly thinning out their casualties and with Hazard, Malen and Adeyemi three attacking players already returned to the squad against City. Malen made the biggest impact after coming on as a substitute against the Skyblues, so we could well see the Dutchman starting on Saturday. Schlotterbeck should also be fit again and is an alternative to Süle and Hummels.
The visitors will probably rely on a lot of physicality, which is why we assume a double top with two strong headers. Drexler and Bülter will probably be used behind them. Alternatives are also Zalazar and/or Larsson.
Dortmund – Schalke direct comparison & statistics
It is the 99th edition of the Revierderby in the Bundesliga and the overall direct comparison easily goes to Dortmund. BVB have been victorious in 37 games, while the Knappen have won 31 direct duels. Eleven times this match ended 0-0, no other match ended goalless so often in the Bundesliga.
– Schalke failed to score in their last four duels.
– S04 have won only two of their last eleven visits to Dortmund
– Schalke have led at half-time only once in their last 13 duels