Two teams looking to seal European qualification from the Bundesliga, Schalke and Hoffenheim meet in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday evening.
Schalke have recently dropped down to sixth-place in the table, having briefly occupied second-place earlier in the season. Such is the tight nature at the top of the Bundesliga the home team are still just four points behind second-place RB Leipzig.
A run of just one win in their last six Bundesliga outings has hampered the home side’s hopes of a top-four finish. In fact, Domenico Tedesco’s side have now suffered consecutive defeats in the German top-flight, losing at home to Werder Bremen before suffering a 2-1 defeat at giants Bayern Munich last time out.
Their recent Bundesliga games have at least offered entertainment value, with over 2.5 goals scored in five of their last seven games in the German top-flight.
Schalke have been inconsistent of late at home in the Bundesliga. However, the home defeat against Werder last time out ended a seven-game unbeaten run on home soil for the home side.
Hoffenheim are another team with hopes of securing a European spot this season. Julian Nagelsmann’s team are currently eighth-place in the Bundesliga table, three points behind the home side.
The visitor's form has been inconsistent in the German top-flight of late, as a 4-2 home win over Mainz last time out ended a five-game winless run in the Bundesliga. The game was typically goal-filled, as both teams have now scored in Hoffenheim’s last six league games.
Hoffenheim’s recent away record in the Bundesliga is poor, as they have failed to win in their last six away games, suffering four defeats in the process. They have also conceded at least two goals in four of their last six games on their travels in the German top-flight.
There is not much between these two teams in terms of quality, so it no surprise that Forebet predicts this game will finish all square.