Competition: UEFA Europa League 2016-17
Date: Thursday, 9th March, 20:05 GMT
Stadium: VELTINS-Arena.
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Schalke 04 vs Borussia Moenchengladbach Preview and Prediction
Schalke’s domestic season isn’t going quite to plan at the moment, with a run of five consecutive winless games in all competitions leaving them out of the DFP Pokal and all the way down in 13th position in the Bundesliga.
The most recent of these winless games was a 4-2 defeat away from home on Saturday, and that came against none other than Borussia Monchengladbach. Their German rivals now look to use that psychological advantage in their Europa League tie, but travelling away from home is expected to be more difficult for them.
Schalke have only won four of their last 16 matches in all competitions though, and even at home they have only managed two wins in their last seven competitive outings, losing twice.One of these games was their Europa League tie with PAOK, which required a 3-0 away victory that came before their draw at home. It doesn’t bode well for them in this first leg.
The visitors have undoubtedly had a difficult season after their tremendous domestic success last term, but it looks like it’s finally starting to turn around. Their win over Schalke at the weekend made it four consecutive victories in all competitions, one of which was their 4-2 win away to Fiorentina as they overcame a 1-0 first leg deficit in their previous Europa League tie.
Borussia Monchengladbach do sit down in 9th position in the table, but the tide is definitely turning. They have won eight and lost two of their last ten matches in all competitions, and they managed a 3rd place finish in their Champions League group despite being drawn alongside Manchester City, Barcelona, and Celtic.
Away from home things are even better for them. They have won six on the bounce on the road now and haven’t lost since the middle of December. They are also facing a Schalke side missing a fair few of their defensive mainstays and even more of their attackers, so a result here is well within their reach.
They will be relying on the talents of Lars Stindl for this. The 28 year old has scored 12 goals this season including a hat trick against Fiorentina last time in this competition, so odds of 2/1 for him to score anytime look perfect for our goalscorer predictions.
On the balance of things I think backing Monchengladbach to get something from this is the best option. Schalke are difficult to beat at home but backing a Borussia Monchengladbach Win or Draw Double Chance at 7/10 looks a good choice. I think they could get the win though, so I’m also going for a 2-1 correct score predictions at 11/1.
HEAD TO HEAD
Schalke and Borussia Monchengladbach have each won three and lost three of their last six meetings with one another.
SCHALKE VS BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH STATS
Schalke have won just 29% of their last seven home games, whilst Borussia Monchengladbach have won 86% of their last seven away days.
SCHALKE TEAM NEWS
Defeders Naldo, Coke, and Baba Rahman are injured, as are striking trio Franco Di Santo, Breel Embolo, and Donis Avdijaj.
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH TEAM NEWS
Goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas, defender Mamadou Doucoure, midfield duo Ibrahima Traore and Nico Schulz, and attacker Thorgan Hazard are injured for the visitors.
SCHALKE VS BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH PREDICTIONS : Both team to score
