The visitors are struggling badly in attack. Prediction for Hoffenheim vs Schalke
Hoffenheim and Schalke will meet on Sunday, November 8, in the ninth round of the German Bundesliga. The match will be played at the SNP Arena in Sinsheim, with kick-off set for 19:30 CET. I am backing the winner of this game.
H2H and statistical facts
- Hoffenheim have failed to win any of their last three matches.
- At home, Hoffenheim have won their previous two matches by identical 3-0 scores.
- Schalke have failed to score in four consecutive games.
- Hoffenheim have beaten Schalke in their last four head-to-head meetings.
- Schalke have not won in Sinsheim for 10 years.
- Five of Schalke's nine goals conceded have come in the final 15 minutes of matches.
Hoffenheim: European pedigree and Bundesliga problems
Hoffenheim head into their home fixture after a challenging spell in the Bundesliga. Christian Ilzer's side sit 12th with nine points from eight rounds. At the same time, their results show that the hosts have plenty of potential: they are capable of producing thrilling performances, but have yet to find the consistency needed to collect points regularly.
In October, Hoffenheim comfortably defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 away from home before thrashing Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 on home soil. However, the team followed those successes with a 0-2 defeat away to Werder Bremen. The loss to the side from Bremen proved to be a disappointing end to their October league campaign.
Still, their European performances give the fans reason for optimism. Hoffenheim first defeated Lyon 3-0 and then drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace. Between those games, the team also played a German Cup tie against Holstein and were eliminated on penalties.
Hoffenheim's ability to play on the front foot remains a major strength. The team have already scored 14 goals in the Bundesliga, while the win over Leverkusen showed that they can cause serious problems even for strong opponents.
Schalke: the Bundesliga's worst attack
Schalke are going through a far more difficult period. The team have collected just six points and sit second from bottom in the table. The visitors' main problem is their lack of consistency in attack: they have scored only four goals in eight rounds, the worst record among all the teams in the league.
Schalke's most recent Bundesliga match ended in a 0-2 defeat to RB Leipzig. Before that, the team drew 0-0 with Cologne, lost 0-1 to Mainz and suffered a 1-2 defeat against Freiburg. Their only goal across that four-match run came against Freiburg, highlighting just how serious their attacking struggles have become.
Schalke also suffered disappointment in the German Cup. On October 28, the team lost 0-2 to Dynamo Dresden and were eliminated from the competition. As a result, ahead of their trip to Sinsheim, the visitors are winless in five consecutive league matches and six games in all competitions.
That said, Schalke cannot be considered a completely hopeless opponent. The team managed to keep a clean sheet against Cologne and are just three points behind Hoffenheim in the table. However, to improve their position, the visitors must first sort out their attacking play and finally end their barren run in front of goal.
Probable lineups
- Hoffenheim: Baumann, Kabak, Machida, Rots, Abrahai, Dagim, Burger, Avdullahu, Kramaric, Lemperle, Asllani.
- Schalke: Karius, Becker, Kurucay, Katic, Becker, Ayhan, Tanaka, Aouchiche, Karaman, Ljubicic, Dzeko.
What to bet on?
Hoffenheim look the better side thanks to their superior attacking quality and impressive results against Leverkusen and in European competition. Schalke, meanwhile, are struggling badly for goals and have not won for a considerable period. The hosts' crowded schedule could affect their freshness, but I believe Hoffenheim will make the most of their home advantage and secure victory.
