Coaching debut for Xabi Alonso

Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke 04 have an extremely long tradition in the Bundesliga. For many years, both clubs have played for the championship. The two clubs have been runners-up twelve times together. However, neither club has ever won a championship title in the Bundesliga. On Saturday, however, the two clubs will not meet in the battle for the top of the table, but in the basement duel in the top flight.

The Werkself is probably the biggest disappointment of the season so far. Gerardo Seoane has already had to pull out and is now being replaced by a big name. Xabi Alonso takes over as coach at Leverkusen, having previously only looked after the youth and second teams at Real Madrid and Real Sociedad.

The Spaniard is expected to achieve the turnaround. With five points from eight games, Bayer 04 are in penultimate place. The Werkself has not had such a bad start to the season in the Bundesliga for 40 years.

That’s because the Knappen haven’t really arrived yet after their return to the top flight. After all, the Schalkers have one point more on their account and are therefore in 15th position. However, we think it is conceivable that the Königsblauen will slip into a relegation place this weekend, because we also tend to bet on a home win between Leverkusen and Schalke.

Leverkusen – Statistics & current form

It will not be an easy task for Xabi Alonso to lead the Werkself back in the right direction. There is no doubt that Bayer 04 had a squad with numerous highly talented players, but they lack leaders on the pitch. Far too often this season, Leverkusen have surrendered to their fate. There are also said to be disagreements in the dressing room already.

Only two wins for the Werkself

The mood will only improve if the new coach manages to achieve short-term success. Bayer have only won two of their twelve competitive matches this season. In addition to the DFB Cup exit, progressing in the Champions League will also be a Herculean task. That’s because the Werkself’s defence has developed into a shooting gallery with slapstick interludes. That’s why we think it’s fair to predict more than 2.5 goals between Leverkusen and Schalke.

On Tuesday, Bayer Leverkusen hosted FC Porto in the Champions League and once again everything that can go against you went against the Rhinelanders. First a goal by Callum Hudson-Odoi was disallowed by the VAR. Then Patrik Schick missed a penalty. Porto took advantage and scored twice in the second period to win 2-0 at home before Jeremie Frimpong was shown the red card in the closing stages.

In terms of personnel, nothing has changed in Leverkusen. The three long-term injured players Karim Bellarabi, Exequiel Palacios and Florian Wirtz are still missing. Serdar Azmoun is also likely to miss out due to a calf injury. Apart from that, a lot could change on Saturday, depending on the tactical instructions the new coach gives his team.

Predicted Leverkusen line-up:
Hradecky – Frimpong, Tah, Tapsoba, Bakker – Aranguiz – Andrich Demirbay, Diaby, Hudson-Odoi – Schick – Coach: Alonso

Last matches played by Leverkusen:

Champions League Grp. B
05/10/2022 – FC Porto 2 – 0 Bayer Leverkusen

Bundesliga
01/10/2022 – Bayern Munich 4 – 0 Bayer Leverkusen

17/09/2022 – Bayer Leverkusen 1 – 1 Werder Bremen

Champions League Grp. B
14/09/2022 – Bayer Leverkusen 2 – 0 Atletico Madrid

Bundesliga
10/09/2022 – Hertha BSC 2 – 2 Bayer Leverkusen

Schalke 04 – Statistics & current form

The important thing for FC Schalke is to stay above the line. However, this will not work in the long run if Frank Kramer’s record does not improve significantly. One win from eight games is actually too few to avoid slipping into the red zone. At the moment, the Knappen are still lucky that Bayer Leverkusen, for example, fell far short of expectations.

Historically harmless away from home

We assume that the Werkself will still recover, however. For Frank Kramer’s team, this means that they must finally start winning. On Saturday, however, one should not assume that, because the Königsblauen have not won in 32 away games in the Bundesliga. Therefore, a prediction of success for the visitors in the duel between Leverkusen and Schalke would be very surprising.

Last week, Schalke 04 suffered a bitter home defeat. FC Augsburg is one of the clubs that Frank Kramer’s team actually has to beat at home in order to stay out of the worst of the relegation battle. Simon Terodde and Tom Krauß actually equalised the score with their goals, but FCA fought back to win 3-2 in the end.

The Schalkers were given two pieces of bad news straight away. Sepp van den Berg (ankle) and Rodrigo Zalazar (metatarsal fracture) will be out for a long time. For the Uruguayan, the small chance of participating in the World Cup has thus come to an end. Frank Kramer will also have to do without Marcin Kaminski, so Leo Greiml could make his starting debut.

Predicted line-up of Schalke:
Schwolow – Brunner, Greiml, Yoshida, Ouwejan – Krauß, Flick – Bülter, Drexler, Mohr – Terodde – Coach: Kramer

Last matches played by Schalke 04:

Bundesliga
02/10/2022 – Schalke 04 2 – 3 Augsburg

Friendly club matches
22/09/2022 – FC Gütersloh – 0 – 3 Schalke 04

Bundesliga
17/09/2022 – Borussia Dortmund 1 – 0 Schalke 04

10/09/2022 – Schalke 04 3 – 1 VfL Bochum

03/09/2022 – VfB Stuttgart 1 – 1 Schalke 04

Leverkusen – Schalke 04 Direct comparison / H2H balance

Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke 04 have already crossed paths in the 1950s. To date, 89 encounters have been recorded between the two western clubs. In the direct comparison, the Werkself has meanwhile gained an advantage and is 36:36 ahead after victories. 27 duels between the two rivals have ended in a draw.

Bayer 04 currently have a strong series against the Knappen, as Leverkusen have not lost to Schalke in the last six games. There have been three Bayer wins and three draws. The last two games were in the Königsblauen’s relegation season. First, Leverkusen won 3-0 at Schalke, while the return match at the BayArena ended in a 2-1 home victory.

Leverkusen – Schalke 04 Tip

Will the change of coach bring the hoped-for turnaround for the Werkself? As a player, Xabi Alonso could be described as world class, but as a coach he has yet to earn his spurs. He has enough potential in his first professional position. Now, however, he has to wake up the sleeping giant and bring the qualities to the pitch.

With two wins from twelve games, Bayer 04 has made its weakest start to the season in 40 years. Fortunately for the Rhinelanders, Schalke 04 is a team that is particularly ineffective away from home. In the Bundesliga, the Knappen have been waiting for a win for 32 away games.

After VfL Bochum, Werkself and Königsblauen have the weakest defences in the Bundesliga. Therefore, we expect a few goals to be scored on Saturday and at least one more for the hosts. That is why we have decided to play the betting odds on a home win between Leverkusen and Schalke with a total of more than 2.5 goals.