Vfl Bochum-Schalke 04
Rewirpower Stadion
Saturday, 23th January 2010 – kickoff 15:30

Vfl Bochum

Bochum did a great job in the last round by winning away in Monchengladbach and now are seven points clear of the relegation place at the table.

Bochum will play again with only one attacker and two offensive midfielders which got them a result last weekend.

The midfield is the stronger part of the team, but the defense is very ‘leaky’ as they have already conceded 34 goals which makes them one of the worst teams in the league in that category.

The list of injured and absent players is shortened which is a good news for the team but still coach Heiko Herrlich can not count on Anthar Yahia (African Cup of Nations) and Kevin Vogt (ankle problem), while the attacker Diego Klimowicz is doubtful for selection due to his severe cold which prevented him from training last week.

Probable Vfl Bochum line-up:
Heerwagen,
Concha, Maltritz, Mavraj,Fuchs,
Dedic, Dabrowski, Maric, Prokoph, Epalle
Sestak

Schalke 04

Schalke narrowly won against Nurnberg 1-0 at home in the last round but achieved what they wanted – three points and only one point behind the Bundesliga leaders.

However, Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saved several brilliant goal chances and was the man of the match. It is still early so probably that is why Schalke have struggled a bit.

The team has to deal with a number of absent players and the gaps in their usually tight defense were obvious in that match. That could be used as Bochum strength.

Schalke captain Heiko Westermann underwent a knee operation on Tuesday and will be out of the team for several weeks.The defensive midfielder Peer Kluge has picked up an ankle injury in the last match against Nurnberg which will also prevent him from playing in the following weeks.

Kuranyi is in good form and he will be up front in the attack with Edu and Farfan behind them.

Probable Schalke 04 line-up:
Neuer,
Rafinha, Howedes, Bordon, Schmitz,
Matip, Moritz, Rakitic,
Farfan,
Kuranyi,Edu

The Betting Verdict

This is a local small derby in the Ruhr area with the two cities being separated just over 10 kilometers.

Schalke has beaten Bochum twice already this season-in the first fixture and in the DFB Cup.

Schalke have won their last four matches without conceding a goal.

Schalke also have a very good head to head record against their rivals when playing in Bochum,where they have won five and lost twice in the last seven matches.

Schalke still has to find their best form, they have some new players that joined the club this month, a few are injured, but i think that they have more quality players on the pitch and on the bench who can win this match.

Bochum is full of confidence after their win in the last round against their relegation rivals, but this match probably comes in bad time for them.

It might be harder than expected, but i think Schalke will find their way to come out with away win here.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Vfl Bochum 1-2 Schalke 04

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Away win for Schalke 04