Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke: Bundesliga preview and betting tips
The Bundesliga returns with one of the biggest derbies in Germany as Borussia Dortmund look to claim bragging rights against local rivals Schalke and put the pressure on league leaders Bayern Munich.
Dortmund’s last game was a 2-0 Champions League defeat by Paris Saint-Germain but they had won their last four in the league to move second, four points behind Bayern and still well in with a chance of winning the title.
Schalke were not in such good form before the league was postponed as they were without a win in six in all competitions. They had not won in seven Bundesliga matches since 17 January to leave them in fifth on 37 points.
Borussia Dortmund have a four-point gap to make up on Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich and will want to avoid falling further behind in their first game back in action as they host local rivals Schalke 04.
Dortmund do have a couple of concerns in midfield with Alex Witsel and Emre Can both picking up knocks in training last week and the pair face a race against time to prove their fitness for this one.
Schalke 04 were in poor form before the Bundesliga came to a halt and they will hope the break has done them some good as they desperately attempt to stay in the hunt for a European spot.
Without a win in their last seven Bundesliga matches, Schalke’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League took a serious hit during that run and they will need a much-improved end to the season if they are to get that challenge back on track.
Dortmund has won 75% of their last 20 home league games and Schalke has lost 35% of their last 20 away league games.
The last time Schalke won away in the league was 7 games ago against W.Bremen. The last time Dortmund lost a home league game was 14 matches ago against Schalke.
Dortmund last kept a clean sheet at home in their last game, and have kept 8 clean sheets in their last 20 home games. Schalke last failed to score away in the league 1 games ago and have missed the net in 7 of their last 20 away league games.
Of the 15 league games Dortmund has won at home, they scored first 14 times. Of the 7 away games Schalke has lost, they conceded first 6 times.
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