Schalke 04-Stuttgart is a match on the 22nd day of the Bundesliga and is played on Saturday at 18:30: TV, line-ups, predictions.
Against Union Berlin came another 0-0, even the fourth in a row, for bottom-of-the-table Schalke 04. Four points that were useful to move the league table (still very ugly) but did not give the shake-up that Gelsenkirchen were expecting, in order to at least reduce the gap from the fourth-last place.
Which instead remains six points away, despite Thomas Reis’ team doing all they can to pull themselves out of trouble after a disastrous first part of the season to say the least. However, the Royal Blues’ progress in the non-possession phase is there for all to see: Reis, who took over at the end of October, fixed a defence that was treading water on all sides. Since a few weeks, it is no longer the most beaten in the Bundesliga, as there is Bochum who did worse. The four consecutive clean sheets are a direct consequence of the new-found solidity, but to avoid the second relegation in three seasons, goals will also be needed. Schalke 04’s offensive production, on the other hand, continues to be insufficient, with 14 goals scored in 21 league days. To start scoring (and winning) again is the imperative for Yoshida and his team-mates, who in numbers can still have their say in a fight for salvation in which the games are far from closed.
The ‘Labbadia cure’ is starting to work
And in that sense, beating Bruno Labbadia’s Stuttgart in Saturday afternoon’s fiery clash at the Veltins Arena would be of paramount importance. One of the few chances left for Schalke 04 to get back on track.
Labbadia
The cure administered by the new coach, a man who knows a thing or two about salvation, is starting to take effect. After three defeats in a row, the red-and-whites returned to winning ways more than three months after the last time, overwhelming a team in great form like Cologne 3-0. The Swabians now have 19 points, the same as Hoffenheim and Bochum, and two more than second-last-placed Hertha Berlin.
The Prediction
In front of their home crowd Schalke 04 have never lost in their last six clashes with Stuttgart, who at the same time have not won away from home for 20 days. Yes, that of the red and white against Cologne was a test of strength, but for the hosts it is perhaps the last chance to get closer to the salvation zone. Schalke 04 are likely to play another shrewd and orderly match, although this time they will have to dare a little to try and take three platinum points. It cannot be ruled out that they will again manage to avoid defeat in a game of less than three goals overall.
The likely line-up for Schalke 04 v Stuttgart
- SCHALKE 04 (4-2-3-1): Fährmann; Can Aydin, Yoshida, Jenz, Uronen; Kral, Balanta; Drexler, Zalazar, Bülter; Frey.
- STOCCARDA (4-3-3): Bredlow; Anton, Mavropanos, Ito, Sosa; Endo, Karazor, Haraguchi; Gil Dias, Silas, Führich.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
