You can watch Schalke v Hamburg Live online here.
Schalke v Hamburg
Bundesliga
Sunday 25 October 2009
Kickoff: 17:30 CET
Two early pace-setters go head to head a battle of the heavyweights in the Bundesliga. Schalke are 3rd in the table, trailing Hamburg by 2 points (who themselves trail leaders Bayer Leverkusen on goal difference).
Schalke Preview
Schalke are flying – it’s their best start in 38 years – and coach Felix Magath has done a brilliant job. However, Schalke have lost a couple of games at home and their defensive form will be worrying them going into this crucial game. With Farfan and Kuranyi leading the line though (the pair have scored 7 goals between them) there are goals in this team they’ll be going all out for a win against Hamburg on Sunday evening.
And they’re also entering a crucial period of their season when they meet top sides Hamburg, Leverkusen and Bayern Munich three weeks in a row. Getting a majority of points from these games could see Schalke keep up their aspirations for a title run this season and make them a strong contender for the rest of the season.
Schalke have to do without injured Jermain Jones, out at least until mid-November.
Hamburg Preview
Hamburg are coming off a key away Europa League fixture against Celtic on Thursday, a tight game that they won 1-0. They go into another tight away game and with Hamburg having several first-team players missing, including regular strikers Paolo Guerrero and Mladen Petric, they will be up against it against Schalke.
So far Hamburg have coped with their injuries quite well – they’re still undefeated in Bundesliga and faring quite well in Europe as well. Ze Roberto (of Bayern Munich fame) is at the heart of Hamburg’s midfield and has scored 4 goals so far.
If Hamburg are to succeed this season these are the sort of situations (successive away games and injuries) that they need to overcome and take in their stride in games against the top Bundesliga clubs – and this game will be a good indicator of where Hamburg stand in the title stakes this season.
Schalke v Hamburg Prediction
Schalke have won their last three games – Hamburg are unbeaten in four on the road this season. Schalke have lost two home games, while Hamburg have injuries and back to back away games to deal with.
It’s going to be a close game, one with goals and we should expect an entertaining match between two tactically balanced squads and the one taking best advantage of their opportunities will get the win. On current evidence, the favourites look to be Schalke, but we wouldn’t tip them for the title just yet.
Prediction: Schalke 2-1 Hamburg.
You can watch Schalke v Hamburg Live online here.
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