Schalke 04-Hertha Berlin is a match from the 28th day of the Bundesliga and is played Friday at 8:30pm: TV, lineups, predictions.
Both defeated in the last Bundesliga round by Hoffenheim and Leipzig respectively, Schalke 04 and Hertha Berlin find themselves at the bottom of the standings when there are only seven days left in the league. The match scheduled for the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen thus takes on the contours of a real playoff to at least avoid direct relegation to the Zweite Liga.
There is once again a special moment for Thomas Reis’ team, the protagonist of a resounding comeback thanks to a surprising performance from January onward. Before the break for the World Cup in Qatar, Schalke 04 seemed doomed to the second relegation in three years, but the eight useful results in a row have restored hope to Yoshida and his teammates. Positive series that has been interrupted now for two rounds after two consecutive defeats to Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim. The defense is again treading water on all sides: remaining unbeaten for four games in a row between January and February, it has cashed in eight goals in the last four matches. Not a good sign ahead of a final rush that can still provide twists and turns. Also worrisome is the fact that the attack has run out of steam in the two post-nationals matches.
A crucial challenge
Schalke is now last again, with five points to make up on 15th place, the place that ensures direct salvation without going through the play-off.
Schwarz
Hertha Berlin has only one more point, which has failed to win since last Feb. 25, namely since the success in the direct clash with Augsburg. In the last two Bundesliga matches, the calendar also got in the way, with the Capitols facing two sides currently in the running for a Champions League spot such as Freiburg and Leipzig, bringing home a draw and a defeat. Any result other than victory in Gelsenkichen could seriously shake the bench of Sandro Schwarz, who despite his position in the standings still enjoys the trust of the club. Schalke 04 has the worst home performance, but at the same time no one has collected fewer points away from home than Hertha, which has not won away from home for ten games.
The prediction
Tension is likely to be sliced in the Veltins Arena advance in what is in effect a clash for survival. It’s hard to point to a clear favorite between two teams that have been lingering in the lower reaches of the standings and living with the risk of relegation for months. A draw serves little purpose but seems to us the most likely outcome. Both, in any case, should score at least one goal on each side.
The likely lineups for Schalke 04-Hertha Berlin
- SCHALKE 04 (4-2-3-1): Fährmann; Brunner, Yoshida, Jenz, Matriciani; Kral, Krauß; Skarke, Zalazar, Bülter; Frey.
- HERTHA BERLIN (3-5-2): Christensen; Christensen; Uremovic, Kempf, Dardai; Richter, Tousart, Cigerci, Serdar, Plattenhardt; Lukebakio, Kanga.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
