German Bundesliga
2010-11-05 - Schalke 04 vs St.Pauli
A Sports Betting Pick by Niko
Football : Germany : Bundesliga
Veltins Arena
Friday, 5th November 2010 – kickoff 20:30
Schalke 04
No one really knows why Schalke 04 are playing such terrible football so far and what is the real reason for that. The team that finished second last season and almost won the league now are nailed at the bottom of the Bundesliga.
What is amazing is that the team is even stronger then last season, Huntelaar and Raul strengthened the team, but still they simply can not find the way to win and are still the only team that has yet to win their first home game of the season.
Coach Magath is under increasing pressure and there are reports that if he fails to win and losses this match he will be sacked by the club. It is really disappointing as Felix Magath is one of the most successful managers in Bundesliga.
Last weekend Schalke 04 lost 1-0 to Bayer Leverkusen and during midweek they showed another poor performance in the goalless draw in the Champions League against Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Coach Magath has full squad at his disposal once again and we should see if it is about time for the players to deliver the first home victory.
In a standard 4-4-2 formation, Raul and Huntelaar are the top two strikers, and the midfielders Jefferson Farfan and Jurado might get more offensive duties, although they disappointed with their performances so far.
Probable Schalke 04line-up :
Uchida, Howedes, Metzelder, Schmitz
Jones, Kluge, Farfan, Jurado,
Raul, Huntelaar
St.Pauli
St.Pauli are doing fairly good this season as they are newcomers in the league and can be more than satisfied with the 13 points that they have achieved.
Recently their form is in a decline as they have two straight defeats, but the team plays very well when playing away as they have won three out of their five away matches this season.The confidence in the team is high as they play without pressure and that brings good results.
St.Pauli usually plays with Ebbers as the only striker in the formation and three midfielders behind him, with Max Kruse playing a bit more offensively.
Interestingly, one of the top strikers in the team, the veteran Gerald Asamoah has played for ten straight years for Schalke 04, and now is on the opposite side but he will not get the chance to play against his former club as he has to serve a suspension for the red card he had picked up against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Also midfielder Charles Takyi is out with ankle injury and is not able to play.
Probable St.Pauli line-up :
Lechner, Zambrano, Thorandt, Oczipka,
Boll, M. Lehmann,
Bartels, Hennings, M. Kruse,
Ebbers
The Betting Verdict
These teams have played a total of eight matches against each other, with Schalke 04 winning four times, three matches have ended in a draw and St.Pauli emerged as winners only once. However, the last match between Schalke 04 and St.Pauli dates way back in year 2002 when Schalke 04 won 4-0.
Schalke 04 lost all the credits by now and really have to win in order move out of the bottom. St. Pauli play very good away and they probably will attack Schalke 04 hoping to use Schalke 04 poor form in own advantage, but Schalke 04 are like a wounded lion now and i really think that they will finally get their first home win of the season.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Schalke 2-0 St.Pauli
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take the Home win for Schalke 04
