Schalke vs B. Monchengladbach prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2022-08-12 16:30.
After suffering a demoralising relegation back in 2020/21, Schalke returned to the top flight with a renewed sense of hope for the future, though that optimism was short-lived after a disallowed goal by VAR, alongside a sending off, contributed to their 3-1 opening day loss at Cologne. Whatever happens this season, surely bettering the 14-game winless run of league games they started 2020/21 with should not be too much of an ask this time around.
Home comforts are not guaranteed for Schalke if the last few years are anything to go by, as the Royal Blues lost their previous four home league openers by at least a two-goal margin. Even in the second-tier last season home form was an area of needed improvement, as Schalke were one of just six sides who picked up fewer home points than they did on their travels.
Beginning the season on the right side of a 3-1 result against Hoffenheim, Daniel Farke got off to the perfect start in his first league game as Borussia Mönchengladbach manager. It took Farke 11 games before he registered back-to-back league wins in his previous role at Norwich, so another win will buoy him and Gladbach after what has been a notably quiet transfer window.
Even so, Gladbach have a tendency to start slow away from home with just one win across their last ten season opening away league games (D4, L5). That’s not to mention the Foals’ meagre 22% win rate across their previous nine away league games as pre-match favourites (W2, D3, L4).
Players to watch: Schalke’s Rodrigo Zalazar has hit the ground running this term with two goals albeit one was ruled out by VAR – four of his last five strikes were match winners. As for Gladbach, Marcus Thuram has made an astonishing five goal contributions in the opening two games of 2022/23 (G4, A1), including a goal on his 25th birthday last time out!
Hot stat: Schalke have failed to win 32 of their last 35 Bundesliga games (W3, D7, L25).