2020-21 German Bundesliga – Schalke 04 vs Hoffenheim Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When does Schalke 04 vs Hoffenheim kick off? Saturday 9th January, 2021 – 14:30 (UK)
Where is Schalke 04 vs Hoffenheim being played? VELTINS-Arena, Gelsenkirchen
Where can I get tickets for Schalke 04 vs Hoffenheim? Check each club’s official website for updates on the ticket situation
What TV channel is Schalke 04 vs Hoffenheim on in the UK? BT Sport have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Schalke 04 vs Hoffenheim in the UK? If televised, subscribers can stream the match live on the BT Sport website & app
Bet365 subscribers can stream German Bundesliga matches so it is worth checking their schedule
THE TEAM NEWS
SCHALKE 04
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Fahrmann; Thiaw, Kabak, Nastasic, Kolasinac; Stambouli, Serdar; Schopf, Harit, Uth; Hoppe
UNAVAILABLE: Bentaleb (Out of favour), Paciencia (Injured), Sane (Injured), Ludewig (Injured), Boujellab (Injured), Skrzybski (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Raman (Injured), Mascarell (Injured)
HOFFENHEIM
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Baumann; Posch, Adams, Vogt, Sessegnon; Samassekou, Bogarde; Bebou, Baumgartner, Kramaric; Belfodil
UNAVAILABLE: Rudy (Injured), Akpoguma (Injured), Bicakcic (Injured), Geiger (Injured), Hubner (Injured), Stafylidis (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Grillitsch (Injured), Kaderabek (Injured), Nordtveit (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Basement boys Schalke will equal an unwanted record if they fail to beat Hoffenheim on Saturday - it will be their 31st Bundesliga match without a win, a record set by the now-defunct Tasmania Berlin in 1966. New coach Christian Gross, who oversaw a 3-0 defeat at Hertha BSC in his first game in charge, will be hoping the return of left-back Sead Kolasinac on loan from Arsenal can lift his side, although it is a lot to ask for him to make an instant impact. They face a Hoffenheim side who are not in great form themselves and are depleted by injuries, but Sebastian Hoeness’ men have scored in all of their away league matches this term, and that greater attacking threat should see them edge this encounter against hapless Schalke.
