Prediction: Schalke vs Borussia Mönchengladbach

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 5/2

Bookmaker: bet365

While the Premier League remains one of the most exciting divisions in world football, we’re going to take a step back and hop on over to the Bundesliga where the title race is as open as it’s ever been. Realistically speaking there are five teams that are in with a shout of going for the crown as Bayern Munich continue to stumble. Today, we’ll be looking at two clubs who are well within their rights to believe that they’re in with a chance of getting the job done: Schalke and Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Schalke

Consistency has been the key for Schalke who continue to drop two points in games that they should be winning. The best part about this title race for them is that they’re widely considered to be the dark horses, allowing them to fly under the radar and slowly but surely go about their own business. David Wagner has done a masterful job ever since he left Huddersfield and joined the German club, and it’ll be interesting to see just how far he can push this project.

Team News

Sane and McKennie are both out whereas Nubel is still suspended, but the hope is that Gregoritsch will appear following his loan move from Augsburg.

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Borussia Mönchengladbach have always had the “bridesmaid not the bride” stereotype gifted to them and while there may be something to be said for that, it’s irrelevant now. What matters is how they’ve been able to stamp their authority on this title race with a series of really strong performances since the start of the campaign. They may need to bring in a few more bodies to tide them over, but without European football to focus on, they’re in great shape.

Team News

Musel and Bensebaini are both out through injury with Embolo, Plea and Thuram being tipped to lead the line in this crunch game.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in August, these two sides drew 0-0.
• Schalke have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six games.
• Mönchengladbach have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six games.
• Schalke have scored nine goals and conceded seven in their last six games.
• Mönchengladbach have scored 10 goals and conceded six in their last six games.

Conclusion

The expectation is and has always been that this was going to be an open title race, but things are being taken to a whole new level now. A game of this magnitude is bound to produce fireworks, mainly because that almost always seems to be the case during the big occasions in the Bundesliga. The hosts are unbeaten in their last eight games at home, though, ensuring that no Mönchengladbach fans should be getting too carried away based on the league table alone. We can see these two teams forgetting their structure and trading blows back and forth, and while it’ll be entertaining, neither team will be able to get the three points that they desire.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 5/2

Bookmaker: bet365