Schalke 04 vs Bayern Munich

Bundesliga 2018-19 – Schalke 04 vs Bayern Munich Match Preview

We’ve got a good one this weekend in Bundesliga. 17th placed, yes you read that right 17th placed Schalke host Bayern. Regardless of Schalke being 17th early this season, this is still considered as a clash of giants in Germany. Last season these sides were top 2 and eventually we may see that being the case this season again if Schalke get it together. Schalke are still searching for their first points while Bayern have been red hot to start the season. Many expect Bayern to win, but this is also considered their biggest test his season.

Key Facts

Its been a horrible start to the season for Schalke, only win coming up against lower league opposition in DFB Pokal. Since then they lost all 3 of their league games and only drew with Porto at home 1-1 to start their UCL campaign.

Schalke have conceded 2 goals in each of their 3 Bundesliga games this season. Leaky

Embolo and Bentaleb are Schalke’s top scorer in all competitions with 2 goals each.

Both teams played in UEFA CL this week, Schalke at home on Tuesday while Bayern travelled to Portugal on Wednesday. This is about the only thing that Schalke has going their way for this fixture.

Bayern have won 6 of their previous 7 visits to Schalke. The other was a draw. Schalke haven’t beaten Bayern as a whole since 2011.

All 6 of those wins in previous 7 matches have been by 2+ goals for Bayern when they visited Schalke. Most recently they won here 0-3 last season.

Bayern have won all 3 games to start this season in Bundesliga by 2+ goals beating Hoffenheim 3-1, Stuttgart 0-3 and Leverkusen 3-1. They also won away at Benfica 0-2 to kick start their UCL campaign.

Lewandowski has scored 4 goals this season which is Bayern’s best in all competitions. In Bundesliga he has 2 and is tied with Muller and Robben.

Team News

Schalke 04: Schalke have 2 absentees coming into this match as Bastian Oczipka and Benjamin Stambouli are both unavailable to participate in this match against Bayern. Elsewhere everyone is fit and ready to go. Embolo and Bentaleb are Schalke’s main danger man coming into this match as these players are about the only positive thing about Schalke this season. On current form, it will be extremely tough for Schalke to get something out of this match.

Bayern Munich: Rafinha, Coman and Tolisso are Bayern’s absentees but that doesn’t seem to be affecting them right now and that’s because it’s a deep team and apart Tolisso, Rafinha and Coman are 2nd string players on this team. Coach Niko Kovac has said he’s going to give Leon Goretzka the start as he’s coming up against his former club for the first time and it will be very interesting to see the reception he gets. Goretzka will probably slot in for Renato Sanches in the midfield who has done himself good during the midweek fixture but it’s not likely to expect him to start in back to back games. Elsewhere expect an unchanged Bayern line-up with James, Robben, Ribery and Lewandowski being the front 4.

Betting Tips and Predictions

Bayern should win this match comfortably in our eyes. Yes they’ve played in Portugal on Wednesday and are back to Bundesliga action 3 days later but we’ve seen this many times and Bayern would still go and dominate their league game after a European fixture, they’re simply used to it. Schalke are in terrible form, there’s no way they can cope with Bayern the way they’re looking. Bayern have won every game by 2+ goals this season and their opposition has not been easy, Hoffenheim Leverkusen Stuttgart and Benfica are all good sides who are similar to Schalke in terms of ability. Plus, Bayern’s record at Schalke recently is more of a reason to back them to win easily. Bayern -1.5 AH is priced at 2.10 and it’s worth the money, even a higher -2 AH at 3.10 is worth the look. We expect Bayern to win this match 0-2/0-3. Lewandowski should be able to get on the scoresheet again.

Match Odds (TonyBet)

Schalke 04 Win – 8.40

Draw – 4.85

Bayern Munich Win – 1.38

KICK OFF – 22nd September 2018 – 5:30pm UK Time