Match Day 2
FC Schalke 04 vs Hertha Berlin
Monday, September 3rd, 2018
01:00am (GMT+8 Timing)
Stadium: Arena AufSchalke
FC Schalke 04:
Last five matches form: D D W W L
Average goals per match 17/18: 1.56
Average goals against per match 17/18: 1.09
Top Scorer 17/18: Guido Burgstaller (11)
Hertha Berlin:
Last five matches form: W D L L W
Average goals per match 17/18: 1.26
Average goals against per match 17/18: 1.35
Top Scorer 17/18: Salomon Kalou (12)
Following their excellent second place finish in the Bundesliga last season, hopes were high for Schalke headed into the current season - and indeed they still are - but a loss away to Wolfsburg on the opening day was nevertheless a little disappointing. They will be aiming to bounce back in front of their own fans here as they take on Hertha Berlin.
Hertha began their season in solid enough style when seeing of new boys Nürnberg at home. However this seems likely to be significantly tougher.
Schalke did the double over Hertha last season without conceding a goal. They only won this game narrowly though, coming out on top 1-0.
Considering how early in the season we are, both sides have a worrying amount of injury concerns here. Omar Mascarell, Bastian Oczipka, Benjamin Stambouli and Sasch Riether are injured for Schalke for whom Matija Nastasic also misses out through suspension.
Hertha's treatment room is also packed to the rafters. Marius Gersbeck, Vladimir Darida, Jonathan Klinsmann, Peter Pekarik, Mathew Leckie and Marvin Plattenhardt all being missing ahead of this clash.
This ought to be a home win. Schalke do look a little stretched, particularly at the back, but usually find a way to get the job done in this fixture - they've won the last ten - and conceded just once in the last six.
Prediction: FC Schalke 04 2 - 1 Hertha Berlin