Schalke vs Werder Bremen prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2023-04-28 16:30.
Thomas Reis is trying to keep spirits high at Schalke, despite a disastrous run of three defeats in four games (W1) that has plunged his side back into the Bundesliga relegation zone. The manager insists “everything is still possible” in their battle to beat the drop, but concedes his side “have to do better” after a horrific 4-0 defeat at Freiburg last weekend.
The Royal Blues, who have spent most of the season in the bottom-three, looked set to pull clear of danger when they went eight games without defeat (W2, D6) between January and March. One of those victories came at the VELTINS-Arena, where they have lost just one of their last six games (W2, D3), but they still have the worst home record in the German top-flight after losing seven of their 15 outings (W4, D4).
Looking to add to that miserable record are Werder Bremen, who know a thing or two about a relegation battle, given they went down from the Bundesliga two years ago, before being promoted last season. The visitors will surely show no signs of remorse though, as a win here would leave them on 38 points, which has proved to be the minimum number of points required to finish above the bottom three in each Bundesliga campaign since the switch to three points for a win in 1995/96.
Being in the top-flight for 2023/24 has always been the aim for Ole Werner’s side, who took a big stride towards completing that goal by beating Hertha Berlin 4-2 last time out, ending a six-game winless run in the process (D2, L4). They may well be confident of making it back-to-back victories as well, as they have won more Bundesliga games against Schalke than any other club (46), including six of the last eight (D1, L1).
Key battle: Schalke goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow may be looking to keep just his third clean sheet in 12 H2Hs (W4, D2, L6). Werder forward Niclas Füllkrug, who is back in training after injury, will have other ideas though, especially as he has netted a career joint-high seven goals against the Royal Blues, with each of those strikes coming in his last five H2Hs (W3, D2).
Hot streak: Werder Bremen have conceded at least twice in seven successive games, with each match seeing both teams score.