Leipzig vs Schalke Predictions: the Hosts to Leapfrog Schalke?

A mouth-watering clash is expected on the first week of Bundesliga in 2018, when RB Leipzig host second placed Schalke 04 at the Red Bull Arena. Take a look on our Leipzig vs Schalke predictions.

After powering to a second-place finish in the first half of the season, Schalke will have a difficult mission to maintain the runner-up position, especially on their Matchday 18 against the strong rivals RB Leipzig. Will Schalke’s newcomer Marko Pjaca make a difference in his first debut in Bundesliga? Or the hosts will succeed in keeping their ground solid and take vengeance for their first match defeat this season? Check the pros and cons of each team in our Leipzig vs Schalke predictions to decide who the potential winner is.

Leipzig vs Schalke predictions: RB to keep solid ground

The 2017/18 season for Leipzig began with a defeat to Schalke 2-0 in a confirmation that things will be difficult this season. The team were sometimes low such as being defeated away at Augsburg, and losing the DFB-Pokal run against Bayern, while other times the team were high such as the 3-2 away win at Dortmund and the first point against Monaco in the Champions League. RB Leipzig were struggling to find their winning rhythm in the first half, and the Champions League put a big burden on the squad.

However, according to online sportsbooks in Germany the RB halftime season finished while sitting on fifth position with 13 points behind Bayern (it was three last season), but well within touching distance of the top four with four teams on 28 points. Statistically RB are the most attacking side in Bundesliga so far, and they lost only once out of eight games at home.

Hard Fixture for Schalke

Schalke fans to pay their attention on Pjaca (source: croatiansports.com)

According to online Sportsbook news, Schalke 04 have taken the league by storm after a disappointing 2016/17 campaign, powering their way up to 2nd place before the month-long pause in Bundesliga. Their first Bundesliga match in 2018 will kick off with absence of Leon Goretzka and Paulo Insua. So they might suffer in the midfield, but they are expected to unleash Ronaldinho-inspired newcomer Marko Pjaca in his first Bundesliga debut.

Schalke are in good scoring form, with 10 goals over their last 5 outings on the road, but they only held out for a single point in four of their last five games before the winter break. Their match will certainly be a difficult one especially that the hosts have a fully fit squad, and they still look dangerous in front of goal.

Pick your odds at Vbet Sportsbook

With a solid ground and fully fit squad, backing the hosts looks the smart bet. However a win for Leipzig might not be that secure, but you can take the risk and bet at Vbet Sportsbook for a victory to RB, or you can double your earnings with more secure bet on a draw. The odds for Leipzig to win are 2.21, while for the match to end with a draw the odds are 3.56.