Schalke vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2023-03-31 13:30.
It’s hard to call which way the Bundesliga relegation battle is going to go, with the bottom-four separated by just two points ahead of the round. Schalke find themselves firmly in the shake-up, but on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run since the end of January (W2, D6), Thomas Reis’ side are hitting form at the best possible time.
Not since late 2017 have Schalke experienced a longer unbeaten top-flight run, but extending that against a Bayer Leverkusen side they haven’t beaten in their last seven Bundesliga attempts (D2, L5) could prove problematic. The first goal will likely prove key in deciding whether that misery is prolonged, as Schalke have taken just a single point from home league games this season in which they conceded first (D1, L6).
Fighting on a much different front to Schalke, but equally as keen to claim three points, Leverkusen are pushing hard to sneak into the European spots. Three points separate them from sixth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt ahead of the round, but with Die Werkself returning from the international break having won three successive league games prior, the chase is well and truly on.
Much like their hosts, Xabi Alonso’s side are hitting form at an opportune time, with a seven-match unbeaten run across all competitions (W6, D1) underpinning their push for a sixth successive top-six finish. Their upturn in results hasn’t slowed on the road either, with four wins from their last six travelling league games (D1, L1), though interestingly Leverkusen haven’t kept a Bundesliga clean sheet on the road since August 2022!
Players to watch: Schalke’s Marius Bülter has scored in four successive Bundesliga matches, all of which were the game’s second goal, while Adam Hložek has netted in Leverksuen’s last two away league wins and all four of his league goals this term have arrived after half-time.
Hot stat: Schalke have been behind at half-time a league-high seven times at home this season (HT: W4, D2, L7).