Schalke host Bayer Leverkusen for round 16 of the Bundesliga. The two teams have performed below expectations in the league this term with Schalke sitting 13th and Bayer in 11th. Schalke finished second in the Bundesliga last term while Bayer ended in fifth.
Both sides need valuable points as Schalke are just three points above the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Bayer are just six points away from relegation. With neither side playing European football again until February, they should be able to distance themselves away from the bottom three.
Goals have been hard to come by for Schalke. Manager Domenico Tedesco has seen his team score the Bundesliga’s fourth fewest goals (16). The team’s defence has been strong, but without the ability to score goals, Schalke have lost points. Schalke have obtained nine points from 21 possible at home. The team has register a –1-goal difference at the Veltins-Arena. Tedesco’s side is winless in its last three games and most recently the Blues drew in round 15 against Augsburg.
Bayer have been guilty of conceding goals galore this term. Manager Heiko Herrlich’s team has allowed the fifth most goals with 27. They have been able to score goals (21) which has been their saving grace, but Herrlich must tighten up his backline. Bayer have won just eight points from 24 possible away from home. Herrlich’s side has registered a –3-goal difference on their travels. Bayer will play their second straight away match against Schalke after losing to Eintracht Frankfurt in round 15, 2-1. The away loss ended a three-match undefeated streak.
The last six matches between Schalke and Bayer have ended with both teams winning twice, losing twice, and drawing twice. The Blues have outscored Bayer 10-7 over their six-game timespan. Last season, the two teams drew at the Veltins-Arena, 1-1, before Schalke defeated Bayer 2-0 in Leverkusen. Just two matches in the teams’ last six have ended with over 2.5 goals scored. In four of their last six meetings, both teams have scored.
Games between the two rivals have been fiery as 30 yellow cards and two red cards have been accumulated. There is an average of five yellow cards per game when the two clubs meet. Wednesday’s fixture will see both clubs score as they aim for a Bundesliga victory. The fixture will end in a score draw as neither team will be able to find a winner at the Veltins-Arena.