Borussia Monchengladbach v Schalke
Saturday 17th August 1730hrs
Football – Germany – Bundesliga
Pick Both teams to score
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 7/10 (odds taken 20.00 GMT, Friday 16 August)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21/20 | 5/2 | 27/10 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on August 16, 2019 at 20.00)
The Saturday evening clash in Germany sees two new managers to the Bundesliga face off against each other. Marco Rose’s Gladbach host Schalke in what looks a really intriguing game on the opening weekend.
Bundesliga Betting at William Hill
Borussia Monchengladbach Preview – Will Marco Rose get off to the perfect start as Gladbach boss?
Gladbach enjoyed a very good season last time around but hopes are even higher that they can do better this coming term. The club were involved in a thrilling battle with a handful of teams for the Champions League places only to miss out in the last couple of games to Bayer Leverkusen. Regardless of the outcome of last season it had already been decided that Dieter Hecking would move on and be replaced my Marco Rose for this campaign. Rose arrives from RB Salzburg where he enjoyed a lot of success in his two years in charge. A German native, he has his first opportunity to manage in the Bundesliga having forged a big reputation for himself.
The objective for Rose and his team is a top four finish and good progress in the Europa League. It looks a really competitive season in the Bundesliga with a number of teams of a similar ability but this is a very capable side who will be encourage to play expansive, attacking football. That will suit a lot of the players in this squad. In theory, it should bring about further improvement. The one concern is how Gladbach will deal with the loss of the influential Thorgan Hazard. Marcus Thuram, son of Lillian, has been brought in as his replacement.
Schalke Preview – Can Martin Wagner’s Schalke build on big cup win last week?
Schalke also start this season with a new manager following an underwhelming campaign last season. That is probably putting it mildly as there were times where it looked as though the club could be relegated. In the end up, Schalke finished in 14th spot, five points above the bottom three. The veteran coach Huub Stevens was brought in on an interim basis to steer the club to safety and he was able to accomplish that. Again, there was no likelihood that he would remain in charge long term as the club turned their attention to Martin Wagner. Wagner was without a club after leaving Huddersfield at the start of the year but his stock remains high with what he achieved in England.
Having won only eight games in the league last season the room for improvement is massive at this club. Granted, they may not have the same expectations as their opponents for the coming year but they will be hoping for much better. Schalke have spent significant sums of money in the close season, mainly on two players. Ozan Kabak has arrived from relegated Stuttgart in a bid to strengthen their defence which was a problem are last season.
Key-Facts – Borussia Monchengladbach v Schalke
- Marco Rose will take charge of a Bundesliga game for the first time tomorrow having arrived at Gladbach in the summer
- Schalke flirted with relegation last season and with Martin Wagner now in charge, will be looking for a much more positive campaign
- Six of the last seven meetings between the clubs have seen both teams scoring
Borussia Monchengladbach v Schalke Betting Advice
There’s always tremendous excitement at the beginning of a new season and that is increased further when teams have a new man in charge. Both Gladbach and Schalke fall into that category and the two new men got off to a winning start in the German Cup last weekend. Whilst that’s positive, this is the real stuff and three points are all that matters.
There has been little to choose between these two teams down the years when facing each other. Gladbach won both games last season but they were closely fought. It also brought an end to four straight draws in this fixture.
It tends to be a game that provides goals and that’s the focus of my selection for tomorrow’s encounter. Six of the last seven games between the clubs have ended with both teams finding the net. It looks another strong bet and one that would make for an entertaining game.
