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Borussia Mönchengladbach – Schalke 04
After the first four round of 16 games of the DFB Cup, the Bundesliga continues directly this weekend. Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Schalke 04 will play the designated top match of matchday 19. Both teams have had a less than satisfactory start to the new year, but are looking for a sense of achievement in their direct duel. The game kicks off at 18:30 on Saturday at Borussia-Park in Mönchengladbach, and you can find our prediction in the following Gladbach vs Schalke tip.
The hosts finished the first half of the season in mid-table. Borussia has nothing to do with the relegation battle, but the international places they are aiming for are still a long way away. Eighth-placed Gladbach has collected 25 points from 18 games, which means that the gap to sixth-placed Frankfurt is currently seven points. Schalke, on the other hand, continues to bring up the rear in the Bundesliga with just 10 points. They are currently six points away from the save bank.
Gladbach – Schalke info:
– Date & Time: 04.02.2023, 18:30 hrs.
– Venue: Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 19
– TV broadcast: Sky
Gladbach Form & Balance Check
The new year has not started particularly well for Borussia. After a first half of the season with many ups and downs, Daniel Farke, who was hired in the summer, went into the World Cup break with mixed feelings, even though the international places were only three points away at that point. Three games later, however, that gap has grown to seven points. Meanwhile, Gladbach had blown the last two games of the first half series, conceding disappointing defeats to Leverkusen and Augsburg.
Hofmann and Stindl lead Gladbach to victory
After all, Borussia made an impressive comeback at the start of the second half of the season last weekend. At Hoffenheim, also in crisis, the Gladbachers managed a clear 4:1 away victory, in which they could rely especially on the offensive duo of Jonas Hofmann and Lars Stindl. The first three goals for the Fohlenelf all came from co-productions by the newly found wingers, Hannes Wolf then put the lid on it in injury time with the fourth goal.
Gladbach facts & analysis
– 8th place in the Bundesliga, 25 points from 18 games.
– Last win with 4:1 against Hoffenheim
– 1st win in 2023
Schalke form & balance check
Schalke are facing their second relegation in three seasons. Although the Königsblauen quickly bounced back with last year’s second league championship, the squad’s weaknesses were once again clearly exposed in the top flight. Thomas Reis is the second coach after Frank Kramer to try to keep the team out of the relegation zone this season, but so far his tenure has hardly been crowned with success. From seven games under Reis, only four points and 3:15 goals have been scored.
First point of the year against Cologne
However, there have been a few bright spots in recent times. At the start of the year in Frankfurt, Schalke presented themselves well despite the 0:3 defeat, at the following weak performance against Leipzig (1:6), there was at least the joy of the first goal of the so inspiring Soichiro Kozuki. Last weekend, the goalless draw against Cologne was followed by the first point of the year against a team that had previously won 7:1 against Werder Bremen and then also scored at Bayern. So it’s not all bad in Gelsenkirchen these days.
Schalke facts & analysis
– 18th place in the Bundesliga, 10 points from 18 games.
– Last played 0:0 against Cologne
– Only 1 point from last four games
Predicted line-up – last update on 2 February 2023
Daniel Farke has all his players together for the clash with Schalke. The established starting eleven is therefore likely to remain unchanged, with only two positions being affected by hardship. At right back, the duel between Scally and Lainer continues to rage, Plea is also hoping for a return to the starting eleven after his place on the bench in Sinsheim. However, since Stindl was convincing and is not likely to sit out in this form, only Kramer, who is so important for the team, would be a change option.
On the other hand, injured Schalke players keep returning, currently “only” Polter, Tauer, Heekeren, and van den Berg are missing. Zalazar and Frey are options instead of Bülter and Terodde, Fährmann has also replaced Schwolow as number one.
Gladbach – Schalke direct comparison & statistics
Both teams have faced each other in 112 matches so far. The direct comparison goes to Gladbach, who have 45 wins. Schalke have won 33 duels, plus 34 draws. The first leg in Gelsenkirchen ended 2-2.
– The most common result between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Schalke 04 is 0-0 when Borussia Mönchengladbach has home advantage. 4 matches ended like this.
– Schalke 04’s last away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach was in 2013.
– The first leg ended in a draw. (2-2)
– The average number of goals scored in a Borussia Mönchengladbach vs Schalke 04 clash is 2.8.
– The average number of goals scored in the first half in matches between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Schalke 04 is 1.
