Bundesliga: Bayern Set to Face a Desperate Schalke

Bayern Munich vs Schalke

League leaders FC Bayern host 15^th placed FC Schalke 04 in a vitally important clash for both Bundesliga teams, and one which can help to shape the outcomes at both ends of the table.

This title race is now a two-way fight according to the latest Bundesliga 2023 betting odds with FC Bayern priced at 1.26 and Borussia Dortmund, one point behind with three games to play, right in there at 3.65.

RB Leipzig can still mathematically do it, but eight points adrift we need to see a freakish set of Bundesliga 2023 results to see the title land in Leipzig.

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the table, Schalke 04 are in the last safe place, two points ahead of VfB Stuttgart and VfL Bochum, and two behind TSG Hoffenheim.

A point would be a fantastic boost for the visitors, while anything other than a victory could be disastrous for FC Bayern.

BVB have a home game against Borussia Monchengladbach and, having just spanked Wolfsburg 6-0, they are in no mood to give up the chase.      

Talking Points

Tuchel can steer Bayern over the line

Munich seemed to go through a period of madness in March when they sacked Julian Nagelsmann, one of the most highly rated coaches in the game.

And then there was unrest in the boardroom and among the squad, where Sadio Mane was suspended after a fight with Leroy Sane in the aftermath of Champions League defeat to Manchester City.

In steps, Thomas Tuchel to try to restore some order and, with three games remaining the title is in the Bavarians’ hands. Tuchel had been on Bayern’s radar for some time.

His tactical awareness, along with his innovative coaching and clear reading of the game gives his team every chance of winning all three matches against Schalke, RB Leipzig, and Koln. He has raised the game of some players already, notably wing-back Benjamin Pavard, who is super dependable in defence and creative in attack.

But while the team has scored the most goals in the Bundesliga, the Bavarians will be on the hunt for a striker in the summer. CEO Oliver Kahn recently revealed how hard the club tried to sign Erling Haaland in 2022 and, since the departure of Robert Lewandowski they are without a 25-plus goals man.   

Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry are top scoring with 11 each, with Gnabry netting in Bayern’s 2-1 win away to Bremen. Bayern do have firepower with the goals spread around and sometimes that can be harder to defend against than a prolific marksman.

Schalke fight to the end

Promoted as champions from Bundesliga 2 Schalke, Die Knappen came into the campaign with financial concerns and an outflow of players. And after a series of humiliating defeats, head coach Frank Kramer was sacked to be replaced by Thomas Reis.

The new boss set about organising the team from the back and, while his first game ended in a 2-0 loss to Freiburg, Schalke’s seventh defeat in a row, the signs were already there.

Schalke went into the World Cup break bottom with only nine points, but they started the second half of the campaign in dogged form, playing out four 0-0 draws in succession – a Bundesliga record.

Now with 31 points and three games to play, Die Knappen have a real chance of survival. They come into the match on the back of two wins, both with late, late goals and that’s a knack which is so valuable for a battling team.       

Last week, they picked up a 3-2 win away to Mainz as Marius Butler converted a penalty in the 102^nd minute. The 30-year-old striker is one of the players who stayed at Schalke following promotion and he’s top scoring with 11 goals.

The previous week, Schalke trailed Werder Bremen from the 18^th minute but fought back through Sepp van den Berg on 81 minutes before Dominick Drexler fired home a 92^nd minute winner.

This team doesn’t know when it’s beaten.      

History

With 42 wins to 12 and a 2-0 victory in the return match, as Gnabry and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting were on target, FC Bayern were well ahead in their encounters with Die Knappen.   

Schalke’s recent form has been good enough to pull them away from trouble with three wins and three draws from the last six outings, while Bayern’s two wins, two draws, and two defeats is a little sub standard for the Bavarians.

But Bayern are unbeaten at home this campaign with 10 wins and five draws and they are unbeaten against Schalke in the last 11 meetings.  

Betting Tip

Bayern are at a price of 1.88 with the -2.50 handicap, but I think it will be difficult to beat Schalke by more than two goals.I do believe the hosts should triumph though, and for a correct score line, 3-1 is at SBOTOP odds of 9.26 while 4-2 is at 38.44.

 

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