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Schalke 04 – VfB Stuttgart
The 22nd matchday is coming up this weekend in the Bundesliga. The top match this Saturday is characterised by a pure fight for survival. The Knappen, who are currently deep in the bottom of the table, welcome VfB Stuttgart, who are in 14th place. Everything is at stake for both teams in this match. A win would be of enormous importance for both teams in the relegation battle. Find out in our Schalke – Stuttgart tip whether the Swabians will pull off a victory in the top match or win the Königbau.
Schalke have had a season to forget so far this season. The only goal for the Knappen is to stay in the league and not have to go back to the 2nd Bundesliga. At the moment, however, S04 are in last place in the table – with only 13 points scored. In the last four matches, however, the Knappen have at least managed a 0:0 draw.
Stuttgart have so far failed to start a winning streak, as they did in the previous season. Although the Swabians often show strong games, success usually fails to materialise. In the previous week, however, VfB managed a huge liberation blow. The Stuttgart team won 3:0 against 1. FC Köln after six games without a win in the Bundesliga.
Schalke – Stuttgart info:
– Date & Time: 25/02/2023, 18:30.
– Venue: VELTINS-Arena, Gelsenkirchen
– Competition: Bundesliga, 22nd matchday
– TV broadcast: Sky
Schalke Form & Balance Check
At the beginning of the season, things looked quite good for Schalke. The Knappen only lost two of their first six games in the Bundesliga. But then the team from Gelsenkirchen conceded six defeats in a row. At the end of last year, the Schalke team was back in last place in the league with only nine points.
In the new year, S04’s negative streak initially continued. But in the last four games, coach Thomas Reis’ team improved significantly. Against Cologne, Gladbach, Wolfsburg and Union, Schalke looked solid defensively and picked up four 0-0 draws in a row. Nevertheless, the Knappen still occupy last place in the league and are six points behind the save bank.
Fährmann is back
Ralf Fährmann is a Schalker veteran. The Chemnitz native already played for the Königsblauen in his youth. After two years in Frankfurt, Fährmann has been back under contract with S04 since 2011. Apart from two loan spells in the 2019/2020 season, the goalkeeper has been a regular member of Schalke’s squad ever since.
Despite his experience of 222 Bundesliga games and even 40 appearances in European competition, Fährmann has only found himself on the bench in recent years. The 34-year-old has now been back in charge of the Knappen goal for four games. In these four games, Schalke’s number 1 has not conceded a single goal. Alexander Schwolow, who was previously in goal for Schalke, only conceded twice in 17 games.
Schalke facts & analysis
– Only two wins in the league.
– Only 14 goals in 21 games
– Four 0-0 draws in a row
Stuttgart form & balance check
Stuttgart are also struggling to stay in the league this season. The Swabians failed to win any of their first nine games right at the start of the season and subsequently sacked coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, who is now expected to lead Hoffenheim out of the crisis. Michael Wimmer then took over as interim coach and led the team out of the bottom of the table. Since the winter break, Bruno Labbadia has been the new coach at VfB.
Since he took office, however, the team from Swabia has slid deeper into the relegation battle again. For a long time, the fans were unable to celebrate a victory for VfB in the new year. Last weekend, however, Stuttgart managed to break free. The Swabians won 3:0 at home against 1. FC Köln. This catapulted the VfB to 14th place in the table.
New face in the box
Stuttgart’s offense has lagged behind its talent so far this season. VfB have scored just 26 goals in their first 21 Bundesliga games so far. Only Schalke, Bochum and Hertha scored fewer goals. If that were not enough, top scorer Serhou Guirassy will be out injured for some time. Last Saturday, Silas played in his place in the centre of the attack. The Congolese did a good job against Cologne.
At the goalkeeper position, coach Labbadia recently provided a small surprise. Fabian Bredlow, who transferred to Stuttgart from Nuremberg in 2019, has been in goal twice in a row and replaced the previous regular goalkeeper Florian Müller. Last weekend, Bredlow directly kept a clean sheet against FC, something VfB had previously failed to do in 32 home games.
Stuttgart facts & analysis
– Still without an away win in the Bundesliga.
– Currently in 14th place in the table
– Fourth worst offence in the Bundesliga
Predicted lineup – last update on 23 February 2023
Fc Schalke 04 will probably operate with a 4-2-3-1 as they did last time against Union. Frey will start up front. Zalazar will run the show as a ten behind the top. Fährmann showed very solid performances in the last four games and will be in goal again. The three wingers Kozuki, Mohr and Skarke are still questionable for Saturday’s clash against VfB. Latza and Kaminski will probably be absent.
We expect Stuttgart to play in a 4-3-3 in the top match. As in the last match, Fabian Bredlow will be in goal for the Swabians. We expect Silas to play up front again. Pascal Stenzel, Serhou Guirassy and Tiago Tomás will be absent from the team on Saturday due to injury.
Schalke – Stuttgart direct comparison & Statistics
Both teams have met 108 times in competitive matches so far. The record between the two opponents is completely balanced. Both teams have won 45 encounters each. The first leg in the Mercedes-Benz Arena ended in a 1-1 draw.
– The two teams are separated by six points in the league.
– Stuttgart are without defeat in four games against Schalke
– Schalke have already picked up two home wins this season
– When Schalke 04 lead 1-0 in home games, they win 71% of the matches
– Stuttgart have failed to score in 3 of their 10 away matches in the Bundesliga this season
