FC Schalke 04 - VfL Wolfsburg

Statistic:

- Schalke won the last 5 home games against Wolfsburg with 13-3 goals difference.
- The last win in Gelsenkirchen celebrated Wolfsburg in September 2009 with 2-1.
- In all their 18 matches in Veltins Arena could Wolfsburg never keep a clean sheet.
- In these 18 matches they have lost 10 times, 5 draws and 3 wins by conceding 33 goals.
- They are coming to Schalke with a winless run from 6 games now (0-3-3).
- The last time they have such a big negative run was under Coach Magath with 7 matches in a row.
- Additional they are very harmless on the road with only 6 Points collected, at the bottom of road table.
- The only win away from home was against newcomer Darmstadt with 1-0.
- S04 scored the most goals after counter attacks in the league. This is clear with Sane and Meyer.
- Wolfsburg scored no counter goal this Season, last Season they were with 10 very successful.

A lot of trouble arrived at Schalke after the harsh 1-3 defeat to Bremen to begin of the second half of the Season. They took the lead early but could not take advantage of their good chances they had and Bremen used almost all what let them win here. Breitenreiter was criticized in the medias but he could bring his team back on track with the 2-0 win to Darmstadt what was a very good sign of the team as well. They showed some good actions despite the awful pitch they had to play there and with Mayer and Sane they had two really good offensive wings who made the difference. The team looked much better as against Bremen and they used their chances this time and allowed nothing in defense. It looks like that Breitenreiter counts the third time on the same starting lineup what will help the team as they know the process much better. At home they were only beaten from defensive minded teams like Cologne and Bremen and also of giant Bayern Munich. Against all the other teams they were able to get at least a result. With Wolfsburg they are facing a team who can not play defense at all because of their more offensive style. This can bring Schalke in a very good position and all hope that they can continue the positive way now.

I wrote already a lot the last two Rounds from the actual form and trend from Wolfsburg. Nothing has changed so far. They are the weakest road time this Season with only 6 Points collected and only 6 goals scored in 9 matches but 16 conceded in these. Of course it had been much better if they had used their good opportunities the whole Season. It was also seen against Frankfurt or Cologne lately that all the players have not the freshness and quickness of last Season where all was working for them. This time they have all much worse statistics and this shows the trend of the team. In Frankfurt it was close and maybe a coin toss who will win because a really open game. Against Cologne they had a lot of problems to open their play against a well organized team. Both central back Naldo and Dante were awful and produced many mistakes, it is not sure if Hecking changes there. With Knoche he has one in back to give him a chance. In central midfield they have a big lose with fighter Gustavo. He was back after injury but booked his 5th yellow card and is out again. With ihm Wolfsburg is much better and has much more stability, also they collected more Points with him as without him. If Träsch returns after illness he can replace him in central midfield and play beside Guilavogui. Very possible is also that Vieirinha move back and replace Jung on the back wing while Caliguri moves into the starting lineup again. But it is not sure yet because with Schürrle they have one offensive player doubtful. In this case Jung can remain in the starting lineup if Schürrle is not ready. The most problems are up front, with Dost they have their most dangerous attacker injured, Bendtner his replacement is not really a good one, Kruse has some form problems, Schürrle needs to many attempts for goals and Draxler has some good moments but this is not enough.

Very important match for both teams, both are fighting for an international spot and should not lose more ground. Schalke has overcome Wolfsburg already and is 3 Points ahead of them. What makes it much easier for them. Also the return from former S04 player Draxler should have a positive effect for S04. It is expected a big hail of catcalls against him the whole match from the crowd. This should push Schalke additional. The actual form is clear on the home side, Wolfsburg in big crisis, away from home anyway.

PICK: FC Schalke 04 AHC 0 @ 1,77 (3 Units / Flat Stake)