After another setback in midweek, Hoffenheim will fancy their chances of responding here against a shot-shy Schalke side who they have dominated historically.
Match News and Current Form
Hoffenheim’s inconsistent start to the season shows no sign of abating, as they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 1-1 with ten-man Crystal Palace in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday for a third straight winless outing (D1, L2). Christian Ilzer’s men have no time to dwell on that result as they bid to transform their Bundesliga fortunes, as the Kraichgauer have lost five of their opening eight matches of a top-flight season for the first time ever. That’s already more league defeats than they suffered in the entire first half of last season, but things should be better at home where they could now keep successive league clean sheets for the first time since November 2021 here.
Schalke are the perfect opponents in that regard, as they’re just the third team this century to fail to score in six of their opening eight games of a Bundesliga season. The Konigsblauen have netted a league-low four goals, and are unsurprisingly in the relegation zone having only twice previously posted fewer points at this stage. Head coach Miron Muslić was given the dreaded vote of confidence from the board this week despite an ongoing six-match winless run in all competitions (D2, L4) that’s seen Schalke fail to score in the last four, with a measly seven shots on target in the five Bundesliga fixtures therein highlighting their lack of attacking potency.
Head-to-Head History
Schalke have lost the last four H2Hs by a 14-3 combined scoreline, and have won just one of their 15 competitive away games against Hoffenheim (D5, L9), with that sole victory coming back in May 2016.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Hoffenheim have lost just one of their last 15 Sunday-held Bundesliga home games (W5, D9).
Hoffenheim have conceded a pre-round joint league-high 13 second-half goals this season.
Schalke conceded 2+ goals in seven of their last nine top-flight away matches.
Schalke have conceded 56% of their Bundesliga goals this term after the 75th minute.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Alexander Prass returns from suspension having netted his third Hoffenheim goal of the season in midweek, while he’s unbeaten when scoring for club or country since April 2023 (W10, D5). Schalke’s desperate search for goals may see them turn to Edin Džeko, who could become the Bundesliga’s oldest-ever scorer here if he adds to his career-high ten goal involvements against Hoffenheim in the German top-flight (G7, A3).
Vladimír Coufal and Adam Hložek have joined Hoffenheim’s injury list recently, while Schalke’s Junior Dina Ebimbe picked up a thigh problem in the week.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Schalke’s miserable attacking form and their poor H2H record points overwhelmingly to a Hoffenheim win to nil here.
Author: Ryan Fisher