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Schalke 04 – Borussia Dortmund
The 24th matchday is already upon us in the Bundesliga this weekend. Only ten rounds are left to go in the league this season. The top match at 6:30 pm is the absolute highlight of the matchday. The Revierderby between Schalke and Dortmund will take place in Gelsenkirchen. There is hardly a greater rivalry in German football. Find out which team will give their fans a big treat this weekend in our Schalke vs Dortmund tip.
This year’s season did not go as planned for Schalke for a long time. The main goal of the Knappen is to secure their relegation and not to be relegated to the 2nd Bundesliga again. However, S04 played six games in a row without defeat in the league in the recent past, including important victories against Stuttgart and Bochum in the relegation battle.
The upcoming opponent from neighbouring Dortmund is still without a point loss in the Bundesliga so far in the new year. BVB won all eight league games in the new year and climbed up to second place. In the Champions League, however, the Black and Yellows suffered a bitter defeat on Tuesday. Dortmund lost 0:2 to Chelsea and thus bowed out of this year’s top division.
Schalke – Dortmund info:
– Date & Time: 11.03.2023, 18:30 hrs.
– Venue: VELTINS-Arena, Gelsenkirchen
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 24
– TV broadcast: Sky
Schalke Form & Balance Check
At the beginning of the season, things looked quite promising for Schalke, as the team from Gelsenkirchen only suffered two defeats in their first six Bundesliga matches. But then six consecutive defeats followed and by the end of the year the Knappen were back in last place in the league, with just nine points to their name.
At the beginning of the new year, S04’s negative streak continued. However, the team under the leadership of coach Thomas Reis seems to have flipped a switch in the last six games. First, the Knappen played four consecutive 0-0 games in the league before the Königsblauen won the two relegation battles against Stuttgart and Bochum. As a result, Schalke are now only second to last in the league table.
Shalke’s defensive miracle
For six games now, the now 34-year-old Ralf Fährmann has once again been in goal for the Knappen. In these six games, Schalke’s number 1 has conceded only one goal. In comparison, Alexander Schwolow, who was previously deployed in goal at Schalke, only played to nil twice in 17 games.
The entire S04 defence seems to have changed in the last six games. In the past six games, Schalke have conceded an average of only 0.17 goals per game. Before that, they conceded 2.41 goals per match. The great stabiliser of the defence is Moritz Jenz, who was loaned from Lorient in January. The Berlin-born defender has adapted superbly to his new surroundings.
Schalke facts & analysis
– Six games in the league without defeat.
– Only 18 goals in 23 games
– Level on points with Stuttgart in 15th place
Dortmund form & balance check
During the winter break, Borussia Dortmund’s return to the Champions League looked to be in jeopardy as coach Edin Terzić’s team often performed weakly in the Hinrunde, finishing only sixth in the table. Since then, however, BVB has undergone a remarkable transformation and has even entered the championship fight.
The Black and Yellows climbed to second place in the table and are now level on points with league leaders Bayern Munich. The reason for this upswing is the excellent form shown by the team after the turn of the year. Dortmund has won all eight of its matches in the Bundesliga, including the important top match against RB Leipzig with a 2-1 victory last Friday. However, BVB were eliminated in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday with a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.
Lazarette grows
In the first half of the season, Borussia Dortmund’s biggest problem was their attack, which didn’t quite get rolling. In addition to Sébastien Haller, who overcame cancer, other highly talented players such as Giovanni Reyna, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Mahmoud Dahoud were also missing from many games for BVB.
After all the offensive players had reported fit again after the winter break, Borussia’s lazarette is now growing again. Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi will miss a few more games with muscle injuries. Moukoko, who has already scored six goals for Dortmund in the league, will also be missing for a while. And captain Marco Reus will also be missing Dortmund at the weekend due to illness.
Dortmund facts & analysis
– Still without a point loss in the Bundesliga in the new year.
– Currently in second place in the table
– Second best offense in the Bundesliga
Predicted lineup – last update on March 9, 2023
Fc Schalke 04 will probably operate with a 4-3-3 as they did last time against Bochum. Frey will start up front and be flanked by Bülter and Zalazar. However, the three wingers Kozuki, Mohr and Skarke will be out injured against BVB. Ouwejan and Uronen are also missing on the left side with injuries.
BVB will be missing four important offensive players this weekend: Reus, Adeyemi, Brandt and Moukoko. Nevertheless, we expect Dortmund to be back in a 4-3-3 in the basic formation. Alexander Meyer will again be in goal for the Black-Yellows after his strong performance against Chelsea. Ryerson will move to the left-back position for Guerreiro.
Schalke – Dortmund direct comparison & statistics
The two teams have met 139 times in competitive matches so far. The balance is currently in favour of BVB. Borussia Dortmund have won 54 times so far, while Schalke have only won 44 times. In the first leg at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, BVB had the upper hand and won 1:0 against the Knappen.
– Both teams are separated by 30 points in the league.
– Dortmund have not lost to Schalke in five games.
– Schalke have already picked up three home wins this season
– When Schalke 04 lead 1-0 in home games, they win 75% of the matches
– Borussia Dortmund have always scored in their last nine Bundesliga matches
