SCHALKE 04 – BAYERN MUNICH | Saturday 6:30pm
Bayern Munich have taken back the Bundesliga. It was only a matter of time. The Bavarians, dominators of the German top league for the last ten seasons, are back on top and will remain there during the break for Qatar 2022. The battleship led by Julian Nagelsmann took advantage of a new misstep by Union Berlin, who were unable to maintain that pace. They are already four points ahead of the Berliners and Freiburg. Still further behind are Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund. The yellow-and-whites, the most credible opponents for the title, have to make up a good six points. Unbeaten for seven days, Bayern scored six again in the midweek round, as they did two rounds ago against Mainz. This time the ‘victim’ of the reigning champions was Werder Bremen, who were beaten 6-1. Including the Champions League and the German Cup, Neuer and his team-mates are now on nine consecutive victories.
Nagelsmann intends to end 2023 on a high and Schalke 04, unlike in the past, is no longer an insurmountable obstacle. The Gelsenkirchen club lie at the bottom of the table on nine points and only last Wednesday managed to break their long losing streak by narrowly beating Mainz with a goal from starting striker Terodde. It was a breath of fresh air for coach Thomas Reis, who took over from Frank Kramer, allowing the Knappens to move to within -1 of third-last place.
Alexander Schwolow
The Prediction
In the last twelve years there has been no history whenever Schalke 04 have met Bayern Munich on their way. The last white-blacks’ victory dates back to 2010 and since then the Bavarians have achieved 18 (often very wide) victories and three draws. Beating Mainz is a good sign for Schalke, but damage limitation against this Bayern Munich side is almost impossible. There should be plenty of goals, as the best attack faces the second most perforated defence in the Bundesliga. A total of more than three goals cannot be ruled out.
Schalke 04 v Bayern Munich matchday squad
- SCHALKE 04 (4-2-3-1): Schwolow; Brunner, Matriciani, Yoshida, Mohr; Kral, Krauß; Karaman, Drexler, Bülter; Terodde.
- BAYERN MONACO (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Mazraoui, Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez; Kimmich, Goretzka; Gnabry, Musiala, Sané; Choupo-Moting.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-4
