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Schalke 04 vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach
The Bundesliga returned from its summer break last weekend without any big surprises. Apart from Leipzig’s 1:1 in Stuttgart, the remaining results were surprising at most in their clarity. As expected, the promoted team from Gelsenkirchen lost at the Conference League participants in Cologne (1:3). Borussia Mönchengladbach, on the other hand, lived up to their role as favourites with a 3:1 home win over TSG Hoffenheim. Both games, however, were strongly influenced by sending-offs of the losing team. On matchday 2, FC Schalke and Borussia Mönchengladbach will now meet in the top match. Kick-off at the Veltins-Arena is at 18:30.
The bookmakers favour the team from the Lower Rhine, which undoubtedly has the greater individual quality. However, they will first have to win a tough away game at Schalke. Find out what our predictions are for the top match in our Schalke vs Gladbach tip.
Schalke vs Gladbach info
– Date & Time: 13.08.2022, at 18:30
– Venue: Gelsenkirchen, Veltins-Arena
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 2
– TV broadcast: Sky
Schalke Form & Balance Check
The Bundesliga return of FC Schalke 04 was more than unfortunate. Although the 1:3 defeat in Cologne was deserved in the end, the Königsblauen conceded two extremely controversial VAR decisions against them in the first half. First, Rodrigo Zalazar’s wonderful opening goal (10′) was conceded, and around 25 minutes later Dominick Drexler was shown the red card for a rough, but not over-hard, tackle on Jonas Hector. In the second period, Cologne, who had to do without top striker Anthony Modeste (transfer to BVB) at short notice, knew how to make use of their superior numbers. In the end, FC scored 3:1 goals, 32:5 shots, 76 percent possession and 9:1 corners.
Reunion with Itakura
In the past season, Gladbach’s new central defender Ko Itakura was still one of the best Schalkers and was largely responsible for the rapid promotion of the Gelsenkircheners. The player on loan from Man City played a total of 31 league games for S04 in the defensive centre and in defensive midfield and scored four important goals. The Schalke side would have liked to sign the Japanese player permanently, but they could not afford the five million euros transfer fee.
Schalke facts & analysis
– Promoted to the Bundesliga as second division champions.
– 1st league match lost 1:3 in Cologne
– Scored in 24 consecutive competitive games across the season
Gladbach Form & Balance Check
Despite the worst season in the past eleven years, those responsible in Gladbach trust the old squad. With the already mentioned Ko Itakura, Borussia signed only one notable newcomer. At the same time, they lost two important key players in Breel Embolo and Matthias Ginter. The Gladbach squad has no depth, but the new coach Daniel Farke is apparently confident of playing a good season. At the beginning of the new season, the plan seems to be working. Both in the first round of the DFB Cup (9:1 against Oberachern) and in Farke’s debut in the Bundesliga (3:1 against Hoffenheim), the team from the Lower Rhine was convincing.
Will Gladbach benefit from the multiple burdens of the competition?
After two disappointing seasons under Marco Rose (8th place) and Adi Hütter (10th place), Borussia Mönchengladbach want to clinch a European Cup ticket this season. The Foals could benefit from the multiple exposure of the competing clubs. A total of eight German teams are playing internationally this season. At least Union Berlin, Freiburg and Cologne are likely to pay tribute to the European Cup and perform worse in the league than last season. Based on the first impressions of this season, however, Gladbach could leave teams like Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt behind. If all key players stay fit, a finish among the Top4 seems possible.
Gladbach facts & analysis
– 1st league match won 3:1 against Hoffenheim.
– Lost only 1 of last 11 competitive matches (7S, 3U) over the season
– Finished 8th and 10th in last two seasons
Predicted line-up – last update on 11 August 2022
Against Gladbach we expect Simon Terodde’s Bundesliga starting debut for S04. After his injury break, the 34-year-old was already substituted for the last minutes against Cologne. Terodde could start together with Marius Bülter, his congenial strike partner from last season. Bülter had already scored against Cologne, also after being substituted. But it is also possible that fresh newcomer Jordan Larsson will start. The unlucky Dominick Drexler, on the other hand, will miss two games after his red card.
We predict the team from the Niederrhein to remain unchanged after their commanding 3:1 victory over Hoffenheim against Schalke. Captain Lars Stindl is still out with thigh problems.
Kramer on Larsson: Jordan is a guy who is mobile and eager to play. He is good between the lines, excels in nimble actions. We need a plan for the opponent and in that Jordan plays a role.S04 🔵⚪️ S04BMG pic.twitter.com/avhXRqWeuz
– FC Schalke 04 (@s04) August 11, 2022
Schalke – Gladbach direct comparison & statistics
More than 500 days have passed since the last meeting between the two traditional clubs. However, the Schalkers do not have fond memories of this encounter. On the 26th matchday of their relegation season 2020/21, they lost 0:3 at home against the Foals. It was already the fourth defeat from the last six games against Gladbach (one win & one draw). Borussia thus extended their lead in the overall standings. They won 46 of the 116 encounters. S04 was successful 36 times, 34 games ended in a draw.
– Gladbach won the last two meetings with a 3 goal lead in each case (3:0 & 4:1).
– Schalke won only 1 of their last 5 home matches against Gladbach (2 draws & 2 defeats)
– In only 1 of the last 5 duels, both teams scored
