Hoffenheim vs. Schalke 04
Bundesliga 1
KO 7.30pm, ESPN
HEAD-TO-HEAD
30 Jan 2010 Bundesliga 1 Schalke 2-0 Hoffenheim
21 Aug 2009 Bundesliga 1 Hoffenheim 0-0 Schalke
23 May 2009 Bundesliga 1 Schalke 2-3 Hoffenheim
14 Dec 2008 Bundesliga 1 Hoffenheim 1-1 Schalke
PREVIEW
Since Hoffenheim’s Wimbledon-style rapid rise to the big time, they have met Schalke four times in the past two seasons in which they have enjoyed Bundesliga 1 football.
Both previous games at Hoffenheim’s Rhein-Neckar Arena have ended level and each side has one win a piece at Schalke, giving a symmetrical head-to-head record.
Tonight sees the latest clash between the pair with the sides going into it in contrasting shape. The hosts have got their season off to a flier with two wins from two, a 1-0 victory at newcomers St Pauli and an emphatic 4-1 defeat of Werder Bremen at home. Schalke, meanwhile, have suffered a pair of 2-1 reverses, on the road at Hamburg on the opening day and at home to Hannover last time out.
The formbook suggests Hoffenheim are rightly favourites at around 2.44 in front of their own fans, with Schalke 3.05 on the ‘Daq’ and the draw available at around 3.5.
However, with Bayern Munich the odds on favourite to win this season’s Bundesliga 1, Schalke, last season’s runners-up were considered to be among the leaders of the chasing pack and have a lot more in the tank than their early season results show.
Any side with a front pairing of former Real Madrid strikers Raul and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has goals in them and the fact that Hoffenheim last kept a clean sheet at home 13 games ago, in October last year, suggests Schalke will be presented with plenty of opportunities.
After a couple of week’s break thanks to the international fixtures, this could be an opportunity for Schalke to turn the corner. The team lost fewer games on their travels last season (3) than they did at the Veltins Arena (4), while Hoffenheim only won five home league games all season long.
With this in mind it looks worth backing the away victory or, more cautiously, taking the 2.27 for Schalke with a 0 Asian Handicap.
RECOMMENDATION: (1-10 points)
Schalke w/ 0 Asian Handicap: 5 points around 2.28
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Thursday's Return: +3.65 points
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