FC KOLN VS SCHALKE PREVIEW & PREDICTION
On Sunday evening, 22 April 2018 at 17:00, Cologne will host Schalke 04 at the Rhein Energie Stadium for the final match of the 31st matchday. The Billy Goats are as good as descended after the bankruptcy in Berlin last weekend. With a meager 21 points, the 1.FC Köln circling on the last place in the table and has already nine points behind the relegation place. Schalke 04 defeated the arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund in the last race against home soil in the Revierderby and strengthened the third place with 55 points.
Cologne:
The Billy Goats were last in the Bundesliga in Berlin and had to breathe deeply after only 20 seconds for the first time. Kalou tested Horn, but the Cologne goalkeeper could direct the leather just around the post. In the aftermath of Cologne was then a bit stronger and could go through Bittencourt even with 1: 0 in the lead (29). Until the break, the Hertha lacked the right answer, but after the break, the captain turned the match within minutes by the double by Selke (49., 52.). The Cologne were now in collective “shock rigidity” and the Berlin did nothing more than necessary. Shortly before the end Cordoba had the huge opportunity to equalize (87.), but the striker lopped just over the case.
The teams of coach Ruthenbeck won only one of the last six Bundesliga encounters and collected in this period quite four defeats. After all, only one of their last four home matches was lost in their own round (2: 3 against VfB Stuttgart). Nevertheless, Cologne is the worst home team and conceded most goals (25) at home. Similarly, the overall statistics reads. With 58 goals conceded the FC is the most vulnerable defensive of the Bundesliga. With 29 goals this season, only four clubs are more harmless in front of the opposing box. Barriers & injuries are not known to the Cologne, so FC coach Ruthenbeck can draw on the full.
Schalke:
At the last Bundesliga match day, S04 hosted Borussia Dortmund in the Revierderby. Both teams neutralized initially, but were motivated to the hair tips. In the first 30 minutes there were just two degrees – scoop (5th) and on the opposite side Reus (24th). Shortly before the break tea Konoplyanka had the lead on the foot, but failed from a good ten meters. In the second half, the Ukrainian made it better and scored after a great preliminary work by Caligiuri the 1: 0 lead for Schalke (50th). The BVB looked a bit shocked after the delay, but then had opportunities to compensate by Schürrle (75), Reus (77) and Batshuayi (81). After a free-kick hammer of Naldo (82), the fair was then read – 2: 0 for Schalke!
The team of coach Tedesco has won seven of the last eight Bundesliga games. Most recently, S04 conceded in the league but the somewhat surprising away loss at HSV. Previously, however, Royal Blue won three games in series in Leverkusen, Berlin and Wolfsburg. Only Bayern and Leverkusen are more successful abroad!
Despite the strong performances in the Bundesliga Schalke 04 had narrowly beaten (1-0) in the DFB Cup semi-final Eintracht Frankfurt at home during the week and missed the ticket for the final in Berlin. Abdul Rahman Baba and Matija Nastasic fall injured at FC Köln.
PREDICTION: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.80
