Hertha Berlin vs FC Schalke 04
Germany – Bundesliga
Date: Friday, 31 January 2020
Kick-off at 19:30 UK / 20:30 CET
Venue: Olympiastadion (Berlin)
TEAM NEWS
HERTHA
Hertha bounced back from their 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich, who came from behind to snatch a 2-1 final victory at Wolfsburg last weekend.
Klinsmann has a selection dilemma in the center of defense Boyata is back from suspension and Rekik is fit again after missing the trip to Wolfsburg.
Midfielder Maier also returned to full training this week, while Lukebakio should start up front again after scoring in Wolfsburg.
Predicted line-up (4-1-4-1): Jarstein; Klunter, Boyata, Torunarigha, Mittelstadt; Ascacibar; Wolf, Darida, Grujic, Dilrosun; Lukebakio
not available:
Doubtful: Darida (Disease)
Schalke 04
Having beaten the previous week Borussia Monchengladbach, Schalke are not suitable for Bayern last Saturday when they went to a heavy 5-0 defeat.
Nubel first choice goalkeeper has completed his four-match ban and be back in time as a stand-in Schubert has been ruled out because of injury.
McKennie make a comeback sooner than expected from injury as a late substitute against Bayern, and Raman should return after missing the match through illness.
Predicted line-up (4-1-2-1-2): Nubel; Kenny, Kabak, Nastasic, Oczipka; Omar Mascarell; Caligiuri, Serdar; Harit; Gregoritsch, Raman
Not available: Stambouli (Injured), Sane (Hurt), Schubert (Injured)
Doubtful: Kutucu (Injured)
Head To Head
For head-to-head, we first look at their latest meeting. Hertha BSC play Schalke 04 in August in the Bundesliga clash. The winner was Schalke 04 3-0.
Over the last decade, both sides have played a total of 16 times. Hertha BSC has won in three of them. Schalke 04 has won 11 of them. There are 2 draws.
Combining them head-to-head, there has been an average of 2.44 goals per game. Hertha BSC has scored an average of 0.75; Schalke 04 has scored an average of 1.69 per game.
Seeing a combined record on the road, the visiting side have won 68% of these meetings. The home team has prevailed in 18% of them.
Prediction
Apart from the heavy defeat against champions Bayern, Hertha have more than solid look about them under new coach Jürgen Klinsmann.
Back Hertha Berlin to edge this one at home against a solid, not spectacular Schalke side.
Prediction: Hertha Berlin Hertha logo Berlin1 0 Schalke 04
