Wolfsburg vs Schalke prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2022-08-19 13:30.
Wolfsburg’s 2-0 loss on Sunday to champions Bayern Munich always felt inevitable, but the pressure on them to get that first win of the Bundesliga campaign (D1, L1) is now stronger than ever. Here, they welcome newly-promoted opposition for the second home game in a row, and will hope that memories of their last result here against Schalke (W 5-0) help kick-start their season.
There are reasons to be positive, as Wolfsburg aim to finally launch their hoped route to a fourth European placing across five seasons. They boasted a run of five straight home league wins over Bundesliga newcomers before a disappointing 2-2 opening day draw against Werder Bremen, and any win here might see a strong start, with four of Wolfsburg’s last five home league wins overall seeing them lead at half-time.
Visitors Schalke may feel mildly confident after getting their first point of the season, which came via an injury-time penalty at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach. Yet, while it was a spirited performance overall, few would expect a repeat to be sufficient in toppling Wolfsburg here, and ending a run of five winless competitive H2Hs.
Although many will acknowledge that Schalke are still finding their feet back at this level, there are concerns over their early tendency to collapse at select points. Most alarmingly, they’ve conceded twice or more in one half alone during both of their prior league games this term.
Players to watch: Lukas Nmecha opened the scoring in Wolfsburg’s last home outing in the 11th minute, meaning that all but one of his seven first-half goals for the Wolves have come during the opening quarter-hour. Likewise, Rodrigo Zalazar drew first blood in his last goalscoring outing, and both of his competitive goals this term have arrived inside 30 minutes.
Hot stat: Wolfsburg have led 1-0 after 30 minutes in half of their last six Bundesliga home wins over newcomers.