The Royal Blues’ form has been worrying since the restart. They have been unable to end their negative trend and even worsened with four consecutive defeats after Bundesliga resumed. Such extends their winless run in their last eleven games so far. This weekend, Alexander Nubel and Co will be taking on Union Berlin, which are stuck on the fifteenth in the standings. Schalke’s position might be higher on the tenth but their opponent was still able to secure one point in their last four games. It is definitely a tricky fixture.
Both teams’ previous matches
Union Berlin suffered another disappointing loss against Gladbach last week. They were demolished 1-4 on the road. The host’s French connection, Marcus Thuram and Alessane Plea were the key men of the match as the former scored a brace and the latter netted one. Florian Neuhaus bagged another one. Union could only respond one by Sebastian Andersson.
Their counterpart had a similarly shameful defeat while hosting Werder Bremen. Despite defending better than the previous game, Schalke still conceded one by Leonard Bittencourt’s long shot and were unable to even get an equaliser.
Possible tactics
Urs Fischer’s preference on 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 formation has not proven to be effective. He might consider deploying 4-3-2-1 instead and relying more on set pieced to score as they mainly find the back of the net in the last two games from a dead ball situation. The Swede Sebastian Andersson will still be the main frontman supported by Marcus Ingvartssen and Marius Butler.
David Wagner might still opt for 3-4-2-1. Yet, several names will be on the sideline including their two top scorers Suat Serdar and Armine Harit, Omar Mascarell and Benjamin Stambouli. With such limited options in the squad, plus the series of unconvincing form of their two Austrian forwards, either Guido Burgstaller or Marco Gregoritsch, the former Huddersfield boss will possibly put Ahmed Kutucu in the line up as the targetman supported by Benito Raman and Marco Gregoritsch. In the midfield, Weston McKennie will be accompanied by Daniel Caligiuri plus their two wing backs, Bastian Oczipka and Jonjo Kenny. On the defense line, Salif Sane, Ozan Kabak and Jean Clair Todibo or Matija Nastacic will be the back three.
Players to watch
In Union Berlin, their top performers of this season are their top scorer Sebastian Andersson with twelve goals, the top assists provider Christopher Trimmel with seven assists and the Danish attacking midfielder, Marcus Ingvartssen.
Meanwhile, Schalke’s notable figures to watch for this match is Benito Raman who has netted four goals and created three assists, the Senegalese defender Salif Sane and last but not least the versatile Weston McKennie.
Union Berlin vs Schalke Prediction
Both sides are facing the same issue, the low confidence and lack of winning mentality. It will be interesting to see which side would respond such circumstance better. The pressure should be greater on the home side but David Wagner’s men have better squad for sure. Yet, Schalke’s current crisis at the front may endure if they do not resolve the problem. A draw might be a relevant result.
Betting odds
The game is even as expected. Urs Fischer’s men arel backed to win slightly higher at 2.40 despite being in the lower position. Schalke’s win market is only at 3.05. The odds for the draw result are at 3.15.
