German 2.Bundesliga
2026-01-17 - Hertha Berlin vs Schalke 04
A Sports Betting Pick by Niko
Football; Germany: 2.Bundesliga
Olympic Stadium - Berlin
Saturday, 17th January 2026 - kickoff 20:30 CET
Hertha Berlin
Hertha Berlin ended December winless in three matches, drawing twice and losing once. Sitting 6th in the table, they still have Bundesliga promotion ambitions, but recent personnel issues make the second half of the season tricky.
Veteran centre‑back Toni Leistner is suspended after a red card in the last match, and captain Fabian Reese is ill, while Marton Dardai remains out — meaning their leadership and defensive structure could be weakened.
Hertha Berlin’s games this season have been tight on goals: there have been under 2.5 goals in seven of their last eight 2.Bundesliga matches, and at home they had put together four straight wins before slipping up with a defeat and a draw in their last two. That tells you they rarely open up early and often grind out results.
Schalke 04
Schalke 04 have been the class of the 2.Bundesliga so far, leading the table with a three‑point advantage over SV Elversberg.
They had been on a three‑game winning streak before a surprise 2-1 loss to Eintracht Braunschweig in their final fixture of 2025, but their defensive numbers remain elite — just 10 goals conceded in 17 games, by far the best in the 2.Bundesliga.
Away from home, Schalke 04’s form has been a little more uneven. They have only one away win in their last four league trips, with two losses and a draw, making them look human despite their overall consistency.
The Betting Verdict
Schalke 04’s recent dominance in this fixture and overall defensive solidity give them a clear edge. They are unbeaten in their last three games against Hertha Berlin, winning the last two.
Hertha Berlin will likely make it gritty and low‑scoring, but Schalke 04’s greater quality and current league position suggest they are the more reliable pick here.
Still, I would add the draw as a possible outcome as well, so back the visitors, Schalke 04, on a double-chance bet.
The Pick :
Hertha Berlin 0-1 Schalke 04
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Schalke 04 to win or draw (X2) at odds of 1.50 with Bet365
