Analysis:


Schalke will be desperate to win here and go 7 points clear at the top before Stuttgart play tomorrow against Leverkusen away from home. Their last match against Leverkusen saw them in total control, only the brilliant efforts from Leverkusen’s goalkeeper perevented them from winning and a brilliant strike late in the game saw them go down 1-0. They paid the price in that match as they are now without the services of players such as Lincoln who is suspended for 5 matches and defender Mladen Krstajic who suffered a broken rib.

However they come into this match still with a very good home record of 8 wins 2 draws and just 1 defeat. They have scored 22 goals and have the meanest defense as they conceded just 8 goals. A win here is essential as their other games are not easy, considering that they are to travel to face Bayern Munich and then comes the top of the table match against Stuttgart.

Though the home side have a long injury list – they are missing the likes of Lincoln, Kobiaschwili, Varela, Lovenkrands, Soren Larsen, Mladen Krstajic and Asamoah, a win here is a must if they hope to land the German Bundesliga title.

As for Hamburger, the pressure of being relegated have somewhat eased off a bit as they are now placed in 13th spot and have moved away from the bottom three. They have done well managing to win three matches in a row with wins over Borussia Dortmund, Werder Bremen and Frankfurt. The arrival of coach Huub Stevens has changed the team and they are now playing better than ever before and with a new sense of confidence and belief.

Hamburger knows that the fight against relegation is still very tight as they are still just 1 boint away from the threat of relegation. They have trouble winning matches this season as they have only managed 4 wins in total while on their travels they have managed 2 wins, 5 draws and as many as 5 defeats. They have scored 14 and conceded 17. But they are thankful the like of Van de Vaart is currently in top form which is a reason for their good run at the moment.

Neither team would want to settle for a draw here, and looking at Schalke’s home form, they have yet to draw in their last four home games, with a defeat after three wins. Schalke would be eager to come back from the defeat they last suffered and from their past games the last team to hold Schalke to a draw at their home Stadium was Bayern Munich way back on the 5th November 2006. Their only other draw before that was the opening game on the 12th August against Frankfurt.

Take Schalke to win this match and give the ½ ball away here.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Pick :

Schalke to win 2-1

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Scahalke 46% - Draw 23% - Hamburger 30%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Schalke to win this match.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Schalke and give the 1/2 ball away here.