Schalke 04 will be looking to improve their position in the Bundesliga when they host Hoffenheim on Friday with kickoff at 9:30 pm.
After earning promotion to the Bundesliga last season as champions, Schalke has surprised many by languishing toward the bottom of the table as one of three clubs in the relegation playoff positions.
Only Stuttgart and Bochum’s poor form has kept them out of serious trouble. Still, Schalke’s management has demanded a significant improvement in performance against Hoffenheim after their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen last weekend.
While it would be no disgrace to lose to Leverkusen, Die Werkself headed into that match having only won one of their opening eight games.
Hoffenheim’s strong start to the campaign was derailed last Friday night, with Niclas Fullkrug’s penalty in the 87th minute giving Werder Bremen a 2-1 victory over Die Kraichgauer.
A goal from Marvin Ducksch in the 18th minute had put Andre Breitenreiter’s side ahead, but a late sucker punch hit them after a lengthy VAR review.
Hoffenheim has failed to win for over a month, and their fans are growing restless. However, there is no need for any panic whatsoever; Jiri Pavlenka was in excellent form to deny them on several occasions.
FC Schalke vs. Hoffenheim Head to Head
Both sides have 27 games against each other, with the hosts taking nine wins while the visitors with eleven wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Leverkusen 4-0 Schalke
- Schalke 2-3 Augsburg
- Gutersloh 0-3 Schalke
- Dortmund 1-0 Schalke
Away
- Hoffenheim 1-2 Bremen
- Hertha 1-1 Hoffenheim
- Hoffenheim 0-0 Freiburg
- Hoffenheim 4-1 Mainz
FC Schalke Team News
With Henning Matriciani, Rodrigo Zalazar, Sepp van den Berg, Ibrahima Cisse, and Marcin Kaminski all out through injury, Thomas Ouwejan could replace Tobias Mohr at halftime if there are any concerns about Mohr’s lack of energy. Leo Greiml will likely be asked to play despite a knock, as there are no other options.
Hoffenheim Team News
Hoffenheim is set to change their squad for the match against Schalke. The most notable absentee will be Robert Skov, who is likely to be replaced at wing-back by Pavel Kaderabek, who also replaced Skov for the second half of the previous match after the Denmark international sustained a groin injury.
Prediction and Odds
Hoffenheim will return to winning ways when they host Schalke on Friday, with defeat potentially signaling the end of Kramer’s tenure.
- Away Win
- Both Teams to Score
- Goals Under 3.5
