On “Veltins-Arena” in Gelsenkirchen, Schalke will host Real Madrid in the first match of 1/8 finals in Champions League.
Schalke have started very good in Bundesliga after break with four wins in a row, while in the last match they failed to beat Mainz. They are playing very good this season, especially at home, and they have managed to win easy average teams. But, their records against stronger teams at home this season is very poor. They have lost against Chelsea 0-3 in group phase of Champions League, while in Bundesliga they suffered a defeats in the matches against Bayern Munich 0-4 and Dortmund 1-3. All those matches Schalke played at home and all lost with two goals difference.
Marco Höger (7/2 m), Christian Clemens (11/0 m), Dennis Aogo (10/0 m) Atsuto Uchida (17/0 d) and Jan Kirchhoff (0/0 d) are all injured, while Benedikt Höwedes (15/1 d) is doubtful.
Real Madrid is one of the main favorite to win this competition and they will go in this match fully motivated after they moved up at the top of the table in Primera. Goal hungry Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t play on the last 3 matches in Primera due to suspension and he will be one of the dangerous players for Schalke’s defence. Sami Khedira (11/1 m) is the only absence in the visitors squad.
I don’t want to underestimate home side, but Real Madrid is much stronger team and I believe they could finish the job in the first match. Real Madrid have scored at least 2 goals in their last 7 matches in the Champions League and I expect they will continue that tradition and win tonight.
Schalke 04 vs Real Madrid Betting Tip: Ah Real Madrid -1 @ 1.75 (Bet365)
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