On Saturday, December 1st, the TSG Hoffenheim – Schalke 04 will be played. The match will take place at “Wirsol Rhein-Neckar Arena” starting at 17:30. Both bands suffered defeats this week in the Champions League.
The hosts missed any chance of hoping for the UCL spring after they gave off on their own field, 2-3 with Shakhtar. With 0-2 in the 15th minute, they managed to come back and even to the break. Szalai’s 60 minute defeat was decisive in the game’s economy. Even when the game seemed to be heading for a draw, Taison hit the 90 + 2 minute. Thus, Hoffe can now only hope for a miraculous qualification in the Europa League, being the last in the group to two points behind Shakhtar. Andrej Kramaric scored in the 17th minute, croat scoring a goal in each of the last four games in which he evolved. Rupp (injured) is the only problem Julian Nagelsmann faces.
The European form of “miners” is the only positive aspect in a rather disappointing season. Although they lost to FC Porto, score 1-3, they were qualified in the UCL spring, regardless of the results of the last round. But in the Bundesliga, the situation is not as pink. With only 13 points accumulated so far, Schalke is only 14th, being closer to relegation than a new European Cup. Victoria from the previous round. 5-2 with Nurnberg, may be the signal of return. Not only was it the most definitive victory this season, but it was the first time the offensive scored 5 times this year. Embolo, Teuchert and Uth are injured and will not be able to evolve.
Probable teams:
Hoffenheim: Baumann – Bicakcic, Vogt (c), Akpoguma – Kaderabek, Demirbay, Grillitsch, Schulz – Nelson, Szalai, Kramaric
Schalke: Fährmann – Sane, Stambouli (c), Nastasic – Caligiuri, Bentaleb, Rudy, Harit, Oczipka – Skrzybski, Burgstaller
In the last direct confrontation, disputed in February, Schalke scored 2-1. It was the 5th success in the last 10 straight games. During this period, only one result of equality was registered.
PREDICTION: Hoffenheim to win @ 1.76
