Bayer Leverkusen VS Schalke 04 Match Prediction

  • Logo2017-04-28
  • Logo18:30:00
Bayer Leverkusen
VS
Schalke 04

Our Prediction Tip

Draw will win this match.

In 29 meetings, Leverkusen hold a 14 to nine edge in wins, with six draws also having been contested.  Here's a look at the last five fixtures between the two sides:

Dec 11, 2016: Schalke 0-1 Leverkusen
Apr 23, 2016: Schalke 2-3 Leverkusen
Nov 29, 2015: Leverkusen 1-1 Schalke
Mar 21, 2015: Schalke 0-1 Leverkusen
Oct 25, 2014: Leverkusen 1-0 Schalke

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Bayer Leverkusen vs Schalke Prediction

Neither side look like they have much confidence to them, but each could really use a result.  A draw then looks like happening.

Correct Score Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Schalke 04

Bayer Leverkusen vs Schalke Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Bayer Leverkusen are at 1/1 to win, a draw is at 12/5, and a Schalke win is at 13/5.

Both teams to score is set at 8/13 for yes and 6/5 for no.

A 1-0 win for Leverkusen could bring you 16/1 odds if correct at full time.

Reason: Leverkusen are the favored side here due to their record against Schalke and because they are the home side.  Schalke have had a terrible away record, so that explains why struggling Leverkusen are considered favorites by the bookmakers in this one.

Team News

Interim manager Tayfun Korkut will be without center back Jonathan Tah and defensive midfielder Lars Bender due to injuries for this match.  Hakan Calhanoglu is still out as well due to the suspension handed to him for not following through with an old contract.

Key Man

The old saying says “cometh the hour, cometh the man,” and for Leverkusen the man is Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez.  The Mexican international continues to confound many pundits and fans alike with his streaky performances, and it might be a big ask to expect him to have a huge contribution.  But this is a moment where they must depend on their star player to come through.  He played just 60 or so minutes on Sunday, so he needs to correct that by adding to his ten goals on the season in this match.

Team Form

Bayer Leverkusen have two losses, two draws, and a win in their last five matches.  A 3-3 draw at home to Wolfsburg was followed up with a 0-2 away win to lowly Darmstadt.  A 1-0 loss away to Red Bull Leipzig followed, and then they held out for a 0-0 draw at home to leaders Bayern Munich.  On Sunday, however, they slipped to a 2-1 defeat away to Freiburg.

Expected Line-up: 4-4-2

Bayer Leverkusen likely XI

  • Goalkeeper:Leno

  • Defenders:Hilbert, Toprak, Dragovic, Wendell

  • Midfielders:Kampl, Aranguiz, Havertz, Brandt

  • Forwards:Volland, Chicharito

Team News

Markus Weinzierl has injuries to center back Naldo, right back Phil Neumann, left back Abdul Baba, center midfielder Leon Goretzka, winger Eric Choupo-Moting, attacking midfielder Max Meyer, and striker Breel Embolo that will keep them out of this match.  Center back Thilo Kehrer will be serving a suspension for a red card as well.

Key Man

Despite announcing that he'd be leaving at the end of the season, new life has been breathed into the career of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.  The veteran Dutch striker thrived at Schalke for years, featuring on the Bundesliga scoring charts on many occasions.  And now, his side have called on him one more time and he answered at the weekend with a big goal to equalize.  What a story it would be if he were also able to help confirm their status in the Bundesliga before moving elsewhere.  He has just two league goals, but don't be shocked if he turns up with more soon.

Team Form

Schalke have one draw, two wins, and two losses in their last five matches in all competitions.  They defeated Wolfsburg 4-1 in the Bundesliga before losing 2-0 away to Ajax in the Europa League.  A 2-1 loss away to Darmstadt followed, and then a 3-2 win over Ajax came in the second leg.  It wasn't enough to see them through, though.  They gained a credible 1-1 draw at home to Red Bull Leipzig on Sunday.

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

Schalke likely XI

  • Goalkeeper:Fahrmann

  • Defenders:Coke, Howedes, Badstuber, Kolasinac

  • Defensive Midfielders:Bentaleb, Stambouli

  • Attacking Midfielders:Caliguri, Huntelaar, Meyer

  • Forwards:Burgstaller

There are real fears of relegation in Leverkusen at the moment, with club legend Rudi Voller voicing his concerns. They feel as if their poor run could see them dragged into the muck, and they could be right if they don\'t continue to get results. Right now they have 36 points with four matches left to play. 16th place Augsburg (who aren\'t going down without a fight), have 32. So they are within striking distance if they don\'t register some points. Schalke will also be quietly fearing relegation despite having themselves on 38 points. There will be some nerves on Friday night for both sides, and the winner is likely to be the side that best manages them.
Schalke have earned just ten out of a possible 42 points from their away matches this season. This record has seen them slip toward the bottom half of the table, and they have remained there practically all season long.