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Everything to play for in Slovenia as Maribor could nick a place in the Europa League with a win, while Schalke needs the same result and a Sporting loss in London to Chelsea in order to qualify in the next round of the Champions League. Of course, Schalke needs a draw if they don`t want to also lose the 3rd place.
Maribor has really been a tough nut to crack so far, they played excellent football aside for that horrible 6-0 loss in London. Maribor held Schalke to a 1-1 draw in Germany and fully deserved that point, they could have even won the game. In the last round Maribor finished tied with Chelsea at home, 1-1, a fantastic result even though Chelsea missed a late penalty. The Slovenian side is defending very well, they are able to keep games close and are excellent on the breaks, in transition.
Schalke has been in great form recently, winning the last two Bundesliga games with an aggregate result of 8-1, but they find themselves in a difficult situation here, needing not only to win, but also for Sporting to lose in London (which should not be too hard) in order to qualify second. Schalke will hope to translate the Bundesliga form into this game but their inconsistency is famous and they have never been to scary on the road in the Champions League.
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Team news & lineups:
Maribor only has Mejac and Stojanovic doubtful, while Schalke will miss a fair number of players, as usual – Farfan, Draxler, Matip, Kolasinac and Goretzka are definitely out, with Boateng, Obasi, Sam and Santana having to undergo late fitness tests. Note that Ibraimi might sit on the bench, a huge loss for Maribor if that happens.
Maribor: Handanovic – Mejac, Rajcevic, Arghus, Filipovic – Sallalich, Vrsic, Stojanovic, Mertelj – Tavares, Zahovic
Schalke 04: Fahrmann – Uchida, Howedes, Santana, Aogo – Neustadter, Kirchhoff, Hoger – Boateng, Choupo-Moting, Huntelaar
I do think Schalke will manage to edge this with their experience and offensive firepower, also with their excellent form, which is a key factor. Maribor is a good, solid side, but with so much at stake today they might find it hard to compete against a seasoned and versatile side which is pumping on all cylinders right now and has so much more quality. Expect the Slovenians to put on a fight early and it might well be a draw at half time, but Schalke will prove to be too good in the end and will probably qualify as well. The visitors are motivated and will not take Maribor lightly after being punished in the first leg. My tip is Schalke to win, 8 units seems a reasonable stake for this bet though I was really thinking about 9 or 10. Prediction: Maribor – Schalke 1-2.
Pick: Schalke
Odds: 1.80 @ Bet365
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.4
Event date: 10 December
