Mainz – Schalke Prediction & Picks (09.03.2018)

Mainz 05 and Schalke 04 face each other in Coface Arena, in a match for the 26th round of the Bundesliga. Schalke 04 won at home (2-0) the last time they met in this edition of the league, on 10-20-2017. The record of direct matches played in this stadium indicates total balance between these two teams, since there were 2 victories for each team in the last 4 matches. But the last time these two teams met at this stadium was on 19-03-2017, for the Bundesliga, which ended with the victory of Schalke 04 by (0-1). S. Kolašinac (50 ‘) scored the only goal of the match. The condition home / away deserves particular attention, because despite this being a match between 16th and 2nd of the league table, it is actually a match between the 13th ranked in home games and the 5th as a visitor.

Mainz 05:

The home team is currently in the 16th position, with 25 points won, after 6 wins, 7 draws and 12 losses. In the penultimate match, they tied in a home match against Wolfsburg, by (1-1). In the last match, they tied in an away match against Hamburger SV, by (0-0). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, since they have won 17 points in away matches, with 16 goals scored and 24 conceded, against 16 points and scored 18 points. In the last 10 home league matches Mainz 05 has a record of 4 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses, so they have won 14 points out of 30 possible. Defensive consistency has not been their best feature, as they have conceded goals in 8 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In 25 matches in the competition, he suffered the first goal 17 times and only managed 2 comebacks.

The Mainz 05 part for this game with a goalless draw against Hamburg, thus adding the third consecutive game without losing in this German championship. At this time the landlords are still in a position very close to the descent zone, that is, a triumph would be very important. In this game in his stadium is expected that coach Sandro Schwarz plays in 3-5-2, privileging the low block and counterattacks, mainly, through the flanks. Of note that the Mainz 05 has some gaps in the final, set pieces and aerial game, something that will be used to perfection by Schalke 04. For this game the local coach does not have Balogun, suspended, in addition to Adler, Zentner and Adler, all injured.

Schalke 04:

After 12 wins, 7 draws and 6 losses, the away team is currently in the 2 nd position, with 43 points won. In the penultimate match, they won in an away match against Bayer Leverkusen, by (0-2). In the last match, they won in a home match against Hertha BSC, by (1-0). This is a team that usually maintains its competitive level in home and away matches, with 18 goals scored and 16 conceded in away matches, against 21 goals scored and 14 conceded at home. For the league, Schalke 04 won 15 points out of 30 possible points, after 4 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses in the last 10 home matches. The team allowed goals to the opponent in 7 of the last 10 matches, so he has not presented great defensive solidity, but his attack has scored regularly, as he always scored at least one goal in the last 10 matches for this competition. In 25 matches in this tournament, they suffered the first goal 9 times and only managed 1 comeback. In the last 12 away matches for this competition there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 7 of their 18 goals between minutes (76′-90 ‘).

The Schalke 04 comes to this game motivated, as a result of the victory at home against Hertha, 1-0, totaling in this way the third consecutive win in the German championship. Normally the coach Domenico Tedesco opts for a very offensive tactical system, aligned in 3-4-3, with Franco Di Santo being the most offensive player of the team. It is important to underline that the visitors present quality in the maintenance maintenance of possession of the ball, set offensive offensive plays and finishing. Guido Burstaller is the best scorer of Schalke 04, with 8 goals scored. For this game the coach does not have Goretzka, Kehrer and Schopf, players recovering from injury.