This weekend we have a massive game in Bundesliga as we have a Revierderby which is Schalke against Dortmund! Dortmund have been dominating teams and putting them away in style this whole season and sit at the top comfortably, while Schalke sit 12th and have had quite an up and down season, mostly down. Despite this clearly pointing at a Dortmund Win, we have to remember that this is a DERBY and Schalke will turn up which will make this a very interesting and a close game. Dortmund are priced as favourites but we cannot write Schalke off because if there’s one game that they will turn up for it’s this game.
Key Facts
Schalke have won 4 of their last 5 home games scoring 11 goals (10 in last 3).
Schalke have struggled against some of the best teams this season having lost 2-1 to Gladbach, 0-2 to Bayern, 3-0 to Frankfurt and also getting draws at Hoffenheim and Leipzig.
Schalke have more under 2.5 goals games than any other side in Bundesliga with 8 (5 overs). Their games on average have 2.5 goals scored.
Schalke are unbeaten in 4 straight home games against Dortmund. 2W 2D. Last loss – October 2013.
Schalke are unbeaten against Dortmund in 5 straight games, however 4 of those were draws.
Dortmund have won 4 straight away games in Bundesliga scoring 11 goals.
Dortmund have scored leagues best 37 goals this season (2.8 per game).
Dortmund are the only unbeaten team in Bundesliga so far. 10W 3D.
Dortmund have shown improvements defensively recently having just conceded 1 goals in 3 games keeping 2 clean sheets.
Paco Alcacer has scored 10 Bundesliga goals in 8 apps (6 off the bench) for Dortmund this season. He’s scored in each of his last 3 league games coming off the bench. Ridiculous goal ratio
Dortmund have got a better defensive rating away from home (4 GA) than they do at home (9 GA).
Dortmund’s away games tend to be way more low scoring (2.7 goals per game) than their home games (4.9 goals per game). In the league
3 of the past 4 meetings between these clubs have seen under 2.5 goals.
The past 5 meetings between these sides have seen 32 bookings (6.4 per game).
Team News
Schalke: Schalke will be down multiple attackers for this game as Uth, Embolo, Teuchert, Di Santo are all out while Burgstaller and Skrzybski are both listed as doubtful. Elsewhere there’s nothing to report.
Dortmund: Marius Wolf is our for Dortmund however we was likely not going to feature anyway while Dan Axel Zagadou is listed as a doubt and will likely be replaced by Toprak or Akanji at CB. JadonSancho was away to England with personal issues but is back in time to play here. Paco Alcacer will probably come off the bench again despite his amazing goal ratio and will be used as a super sub as he’s been throughout the most of this season.
Betting Tips and Predictions
All signs point to a Dortmund Win here. They’re 11 places above, playing better in every aspect but this is a derby and as nice as the 2.15 Odds look on a Dortmund Win there is risk. We do believe that Dortmund will win but it will be a tough grind out win. Elsewhere an under 3 goals is our other pick at 1.71 although it may be better to wait LIVE for the odds to rise a little. Dortmund’s away games are far more low scoring and Schalke are the most under ish side plus given it’s a big game both teams could play a little more cautious as we’ve seen in recent H2H meetings with 3 unders in last 4 between these sides. The final pick is over 5 cards. These teams tend to have high booking games because as mentioned they don’t like each other as it’s a derby and it should be no different here as we should see 6+ cards. Our prediction for the game is a 0-1 win for Dortmund. Expect a feisty, low scoring game but a grind out win for the league leaders
Match Odds (Unibet)
Schalke Win – 3.40
Draw – 3.40
Dortmund Win – 2.15
KICK OFF – 8th December 2018 – 2:30pm UK Time
