Hoffenheim vs Schalke 04 Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Schalke 04 would draw level on points with Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga by winning here in Sinsheim. 

Kick-off date/time: 8 November 2026 at 6:30 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Amazon Prime Video / USA – ESPN

How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime Video / USA – ESPN+

Hoffenheim preview: Tough week

Hoffenheim's two-game winning streak was brought to a shuddering halt in the previous round of Bundesliga fixtures, as Werder Bremen took full advantage of an off day from Christian Ilzer's side, running out 2-0 winners. Since then, Hoffenheim have been out on the road in the Europa League, taking on Premier League side Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. 

Despite the hosts being reduced to ten men, Hoffenheim couldn't cash in, and a late Palace goal salvaged a 1-1 draw. That makes it a frustrating week overall, and with the international break looming, it's crucial that they get back to winning ways here.

Schalke 04 preview: Still no goals

It's now three consecutive Bundesliga matches without a goal for struggling Schalke 04. Over the course of their first season back in the top flight, Miron Muslic's men have found the net just four times in eight rounds of fixtures, an average of half a goal per game.

That's by far the lowest tally of any team in the top flight, and a huge reason why they currently sit in the automatic relegation places. Unsurprisingly, results have suffered as a consequence, with Schalke picking up just one point from the last 12 available to them.

Hoffenheim team news: Large list of injuries

Hoffenheim's cause has not been helped lately by a raft of injuries, which includes Gendrey, Hajdari, Hranac and Winner.

Predicted XI (3-5-2): Baumann; Kabak, Machida, Rots; Abraha, Prass, Avdullahu, Burger, Daghim; Lemperle, Asllani

Unavailable: De Cat (Injured), Gendrey (Injured), Hajdari (Injured), Hranac (Injured), Moerstedt (Injured), Wimmer (Injured)

Questionable: Conte (Injured), Coufal (Injured), Hlozek (Injured)

Schalke 04 team news: Dzeko leads the line

The vastly experienced Edin Dzeko is expected to start up top for Schalke 04 as they bid to arrest their issues in front of goal. The likes of Bachmann, Gantenbein, Hojlund, Schallenberg and Sylla are all out.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Karius; T. Becker, Katic, Kurucay, Gosens; Tanaka, El Faouzi; Ljubicic, Karaman, Aouchiche; Dzeko

Unavailable: Bachmann (Injured), Gantenbein (Injured), Hojlund (Injured), Schallenberg (Injured), Sylla (Injured)

Questionable: 

Key stats

• Hoffenheim have won the last three Bundesliga meetings with Schalke, keeping clean sheets in the last two (3-0 in Gelsenkirchen on 14 October 2022 and 2-0 at home on 9 April 2023).
• Schalke have won only once in 14 Bundesliga visits to Hoffenheim since 1995/96 (D5 L8) – 4-1 on 14 May 2016 – and Hoffenheim are unbeaten in six home games against them since (W5 D1).
• Hoffenheim have scored in each of their last 12 home Bundesliga games against Schalke.
• Hoffenheim lead the head-to-head 12-9 in 28 Bundesliga meetings since 1995/96 (D7), although Schalke have scored more goals (44 to 43).
• This is the first meeting since 2022/23 – Schalke are back in the Bundesliga after three seasons away.
• Schalke are 17th with six points coming into Matchweek 9 and have scored only four goals – the fewest in the Bundesliga and their lowest after eight games in 28 Bundesliga seasons since 1995/96 (previous low five, in 2018/19 and 2020/21).
• Schalke have failed to score in all four home games this season (D2 L2) – only the third side since 1995/96 to go goalless in their first four home games of a season, after Greuther Fürth (2012/13) and St Pauli (2024/25).
• Schalke are winless in five (D2 L3) since a 3-1 win at Union Berlin on 11 September, and have failed to score in their last three.
• Schalke's nine goals conceded is the joint-third-fewest in the division, their three clean sheets include a 0-0 vs Bayern, and their matches have averaged a league-low 1.63 goals.
• Hoffenheim are 12th with nine points and are one of four sides yet to draw this season (W3 L5), alongside Hamburg, Leipzig and Stuttgart.
• Hoffenheim have scored in nine consecutive home games since 14 March 2026, but lost 0-2 at Werder Bremen last time out and have conceded in 11 consecutive away games.
• Hoffenheim have won 24 of their 62 home Bundesliga games on a Sunday since 1995/96 (D19 L19).
• Schalke have never won a Bundesliga game refereed by Martin Petersen – seven since 2017/18 (D2 L5) – and have lost their last four with him, including 1-2 at Freiburg in October.
• Hoffenheim have won only three of their ten Bundesliga games with Petersen in charge since 2017/18 (D3 L4), although the most recent was a 4-1 home win vs Hamburg in December 2025.

‘Key stats’ are Bundesliga only (not all competitions)

Hoffenheim vs Schalke 04 prediction

In what is the final round of fixtures before the international break, there are high stakes for both Hoffenheim and Schalke 04. The hosts need three points to keep themselves well clear of the drop zone, while victory for Schalke could lift them out of the bottom three, depending on results earlier in the weekend.

However, it's hard to ignore the visitors' lack of bite in attack, with Hoffenheim having racked up ten more goals than them in the Bundesliga. To their credit, Ilzer's men have also delivered when the pressure has been on, such as that crucial triumph away at rock-bottom Borussia Monchengladbach.

Hoffenheim's last outing at home saw them sweep aside Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, and they'll be expected to come out on top once again on this occasion.

Hoffenheim vs Schalke 04 tip: Hoffenheim to win