Bayer Leverkusen vs Schalke preview

October 24, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Bayer Leverkusen vs SchalkeHaving somewhat struggled during the opening exchanges, both Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke will see the match at Bay Arena as a good opportunity to kick-start their league campaign.

And with both sides winning their midweek games in the Champions League, we should see a cracking encounter on Saturday afternoon.

Bayer Leverkusen started the new campaign in style, winning first five fixtures in all competitions, but the team have since suffered a huge dip in form, especially on domestic stage.

While die Werkself recovered well from the opening Champions League loss to Monaco to defeat Benfica and Zenit at home, their league displays have been nowhere near as impressive.

Bayer Leverkusen slipped to sixth in the overall standings as they recorded three straight draws against average Bundesliga sides and they are now desperate to return to winning ways.

The 2-0 victory over star-studded Zenit should serve as a major confidence boost, so bear in mind die Werkself can be backed at 1.80 (4/5) to see off Schalke.

Coach Roger Schmidt has no fresh selection worries, although Simon Rolfes and Gonzalo Castro are not yet ready to return.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Leno – Donati, Toprak, Spahic, Wendell – Bender, Reinartz – Bellarabi, Calhanoglu, Son – Kiessling.

Schalke are another top 4 hopefuls that have so far failed to live up to the billing, although they have been showing plenty of improvement of late.

The Miners were pretty fortunate to beat Sporting Lisbon in midweek to seriously improve their chances of reaching the Champions League knockout stages, following back to back draws against Chelsea and Maribor.

Meanwhile, Schalke recovered well from a four-match winless run in the league to record three wins in last four matches.

And having defeated Werder, Borussia Dortmund and Hertha in that period, they have reason for optimism ahead of the trip to Bay Arena, even if away win pays 4.75 (15/4).

Kevin-Prince Boateng and Joel Matip are major injury doubts, while Felipe Santana, Sead Kolasinac, Leon Goretzka, Jefferson Farfan and Fabian Giefer are definitely out.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Fahrmann – Uchida, Howedes, Ayhan, Aogo – Hoger, Neustadter – Choupo-Moting, Meyer, Draxler – Huntelaar.

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