Bayern Munich – Schalke : Preview & Prediction
Reigning champions Bayern Munich have failed to win on the opening day of the Bundesliga in just one of the past eight seasons (G7, E1), after going ahead at halftime seven times during that span (G7, P1) – five times 1-0. They have won their last 13 Bundesliga games and are undefeated in 20 games (W19, E1) after scoring first in 17 of those games.
The host was the best Bundesliga team at home last season (G13, E2, P2), conceding the first goal only four times at home (G2, P2), trailing at halftime only twice (E1, P1 ). Furthermore, Bayern are undefeated in their last ten league games at home (G9, E1), although they partially led at halftime in only five of them (G5, E5).
Schalke 04 have not won any of their last four opening matches on the road (E2, P2) and ended last season winless in 16 Bundesliga matches (E6, P10). Although they scored only seven goals during that journey, four of them were to open the scoring (E3, P1).
The visitor has also not won in 11 league games away from home (E4, P7), but at least managed to score first in two of them (E1, P1). However, they also lost both halves in four of the defeats and the final result was mirrored at halftime in ten of those 11 away games.
Players to watch: Robert Lewandowski was the Bundesliga’s top scorer last season with 34 goals, but he scored the first goal for Bayern in just one of the last six league games in which he has scored.
Suat Serdar scored the first goal in Schalke’s last Bundesliga win. Five of his seven league touchdowns last season were his team’s first goal in the game.
Highlight: Bayern have not conceded more than one goal in the last 19 meetings they have played against Schalke in the Bundesliga (W16, E3). Fifteen of those victories came with a margin of two or more goals.
Bayern Munich – Schalke : Betting Tips
Bayern Munich – Win Odds: 1.25
Both teams to score / YES – Odds: 1.70
Over 2.5 Goals – Odds: 1.70
