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Schalke 04 hosts NK Maribor in Matchday 2 of the Uefa Champions League.
Schalke made a big upset getting a 1-1 draw in England vs. Chelsea in 1st round and if they can back it up with a solid win vs. Maribor it will be a huge step for qualification for the Germans. Schalke after a slow start in the season is now in great form … after the draw vs. Chelsea they won both Bundesliga games in style … 3-0 at Werder Bremen and 2-1 vs. Borussia Dortmund. Seems Schalke sorted out the defensive problems and they look very strong now because offense never was a problem. For today Schalke misses Kolasinac, Goretzka, Giefer, Farfan and Santana. There are also doubts over Howedes and Kirchhoff.
Schalke lineup: Fahrmann – Uchida, Matip, Neustadter, Aogo – Boateng, Draxler, Hoger, Meyer – Huntelaar, Choupo-Moting
Maribor again got a result vs. a late goal in the first match, I think it is the 5th or 6th time they score crucial goals in the last seconds in European games since last year. Hosts have been very good in Europa League last year and this year they knocked Celtic in the UCL playoffs … so credit to them they are an emerging team … but vs. Sporting Maribor really did not look great, they were totally dominated and outplayed and had a lot of luck. They are not too impressive in Slovenia either … they are second in the table and are winning games by the slimmest of margins. Stojanovic is the only absentee for Maribor.
Maribor lineup: Handanovic – Suler, Rajcevic, Mejac, Trajkovski – Vrsic, Filipovic, Mertelj, Ibraimi – Mendy, Zahovic
I respect Maribor but they just do not have the quality at this level and it was clearly seen in the football they played vs. Sporting. Their last (and only?) impressive game this season was at Celtic, and Celtic was rubbish. Schalke is firing on all cylinders and I think odds 1.35 are too high for a Schalke win, I think 1.20-1.25 would be more realistic. Hosts do have a number of injuries but they are used to that … with their offensive football, I see Schalke easily putting 2-3 goals past Maribor today, so Germans should cover a 1 goal handicap … that will be my tip, a Schalke -1,5 handicap win. This bet deserves maximum stakes in my opinion, I see no place for upsets tonight in Germany. Correct score prediction: Schlake – Maribor 3-0.
Pick: Schalke (-1,5 handicap)
Odds: 2.00 @ Bet365
Stake: 10
Possible profit: 10
Event date: 30 September
