Betdistrict.com
Real Madrid takes on Schalke 04 at Santiago Bernabeu riding a comfortable 2-0 advantage from the first leg, but the home side will be keen to get a solid, morale boosting win in the midst of a mini-crisis.
Real has won a single point in the last two matches against Villarreal and Bilbao and was not very convincing in the previous few matches either. As a result, “Los Blancos” fell to the second place in the league. Obviously the hosts are in a bit of a slump, but the reports about a crisis are slightly exaggerated and surely Real will bounce back sooner rather than later – a first chance being this clash against Schalke, a team that Real vastly outplayed in the first leg in Germany, but also last year in the same stage of the Champions League (6-1, 3-1).
Schalke defeated Hoffenheim 3-1 over the weekend, but it was the first win for Schalke after a horrible run of 4 games in which they lost 3 and drawn one. The defense has been particularly bad for today`s visitors, but that`s really not a surprise – however, against Real Madrid you just can`t hope for much if you defend like that.
Bet on Real Madrid vs. Schalke 04 and claim your 100% welcome bonus at Bet365!
Team news & lineups:
James Rodriguez is out for Real and Sergio Ramos is doubtful, but otherwise Ancelotti will not rest any players. Schalke will have to do without the services of Draxler, Farfa, Fahrmann, Obasi and Boateng, but there are also question marks about the fitness off Matip, Kolasinac, Goretzka, Kirchoff and Giefer.
Real Madrid: Casillas – Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo – Illaramendi, Kroos, Isco – Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
Schalke 04: Wellenreuther – Howedes, Matip, Nastasic – Fuchs, Hoger, Neustadter, Barnetta – Meyer, Huntelaar, Choupo-Moting
Real`s recent struggles have been blown way out of proportions and I think their past two results are a good thing – it guarantees focus and motivation for this game against Schalke even after the 2-0 win in the first leg. Real will play its best lineup, the hosts want to get back to winning ways and regain morale, so they will try and win this as clearly as possible. It shouldn`t be hard considering not only the gap in quality, but the matchup advantage that Real has over this defensively-inapt Schalke side. There`s also the fact that Schalke is struggling with injuries and, last but not least, we must not forget that Real is a completely different animal at home – while Schalke is a disaster away, they actually lost 7 out of 11 road games in Bundesliga this season.
The last 3 meetings have been more or less blowouts and I expect a similar scenario today. My tip is Real Madrid to win with a -2 asian handicap. Prediction: Real Madrid – Schalke 3-0.
Pick: Real Madrid (-2 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 2.02 @ Bet365
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 8.16
Event date: 10 March
