Schalke v Stuttgart
German Bundesliga
Veltins Arena – Gelsenkirchen, Germany
12 March 2010 – 19:30 GMT
Schalke can go to the top of the Bundesliga table as they host Stuttgart on Friday, March 12, 2010 at the Veltins-Arena.
Schalke v Stuttgart Preview
Stuttgart face a tough test playing at Schalke ahead of their UEFA Champions League second leg match at the Camp Nou on next Wednesday against Barcelona. Schalke are 9-2-2 at home with a +14 goal difference. Stuttgart are 4-4-4 with an even goal difference on the road.
The key for Schalke this season in the Bundesliga has been their defense as they’ve allowed a league low 19 goals in 25 matches. Stuttgart did not have a great first half of the season and sacked former manager Markus Babbel. Christian Gross stepped in after Babbel and has led Stuttgart to only one loss since taking over. With the Champions League match not till next Wednesday, Stuttgart should be able to field their strongest side and still be ready for the trip to Spain.
Stuttgart sits 7th in the table heading into the match and seven points back of the last Europa League spot. They are unlikely to play in Europe next season which will be disappointing considering they reach they’ve reach the knockout stage in the Champions League. Schalke are two points behind league leaders Bayern Munich. A win on Friday would boost their title chances as they have several tough matches in the upcoming weeks (at Hamburg, Leverkusen, and home against Bayern).
Schalke will be favored with five straight home wins at home but Stuttgart have a strong 3-2-0 record in their last five away matches.
| TEAM STAT COMPARISON | ||
| Schalke 04 | VfB Stuttgart | |
| Matches Played | 25 | 25 |
| Table Position | 2 | 7 |
| Points | 51 | 35 |
| Goal Difference | 21 | 3 |
| Goals for * | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| Goals against * | 0.7 | 1.3 |
| Last 5 | W-W-L-W-D | D-W-W-L-W |
| Last 5 home | W-W-W-W-W | W-L-W-W-W |
| Last 5 away | W-L-D-D-W | D-W-W-W-D |
| * Goals per match – home matches for home club and away matches for away club | ||
Schalke v Stuttgart Prediction
Schalke will win the match 2-0.
Watch Schalke v Stuttgart Live Online
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