Schalke 04 v Valencia – UEFA Champions League: Match Preview
As Schalke prepare to host Valencia in their second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of sixteen fixture at Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany; let us take a look at how both outfits are expected to line up for this matchup in question...
Schalke
Low on confidence after their defeat to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/VfB-Stuttgart-c40879 in the Bundesliga on the previous weekend, Schalke will look to bounce back in fine style against the might of Valencia in their second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of sixteen. Schalke got the
crucial away goal that they needed in the first leg of this matchup against Valencia, when both teams met at the Mestalla stadium in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 on 15th February.
However, Schalke’s home record in the UEFA Champions League this season has been near perfect. The Miners have won all their home games thus far, and Felix Magath’s team will be looking to maintain their impervious home record when Valencia come calling
on 9th of March, 2011.
Schalke’s form of late has been disappointing to say the least. Out of their last five competitive fixtures, Schalke have won one, drawn two, and lost two. Their only win came against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Nonetheless, the Royal Blues just need
a nil all draw at their home turf to make it to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Valencia
After defeating Real Mallorca in their latest Spanish league encounter, Valencia are witnessing a high run of form. Out of their past five competitive fixtures, Valencia have won drawn two, won two, and lost one.
Their only loss came against Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side in a match that was well contested by both sides. In the first leg of their round of sixteen matchup against Schalke, Roberto Soldado’s goal in the first half meant that the match ended with an
eventual score of 1-1 as Raul netted an equalizer for Schalke in the second half.
The worrying factor for Los Che’s fans is that their team has a woeful record when playing against German opposition in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904. Valencia has recorded seven losses and two draws alongside a single win in their last 10 matches, which took place in
Germany. This lack of form on the German front coupled with the fact that Schalke have an away goal advantage heading into the next leg really does make this round of sixteen tie, a very hard one to win for Unai Emery’s men.
Team News
Schalke are set to feature without their Dutch target man, Klaas Jan Huntelaar. However, Raul http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Royal-95-c40387 Blues.
Expected Schalke line up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Peer-Kluge-c29645, Jefferson Farfan, Raul Gonzalez, Manuel Jurado, Eduardo Goncalves de Oliveira
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aritz-Aduriz-c6516. Aduriz has a sprained ankle which is set to keep him out of the trip to Germany for the Los Che. Valencia’s main players, such as, Juan Mata
and Roberto Soldado are all at full fitness and thus are available for selection for Unai Emery.
Expected Valencia line up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roberto-Soldado-c31367
Key Players
Schalke will expect Raul to fire them home to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League. The ex-Real Madrid striker who netted the equalizing goal in the first leg of this encounter in question is just one goal short of Fillipo Inzaghi’s 70 goal mark
in European club competitions. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Raul-c30652 is already Schalke’s top scorer with 13 goals this season.
Valencia will bank on Juan Mata to influence them to a memorable victory in Germany. The Spanish winger, who also plays as a striker, has been a target for the likes of Manchester United and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan in the past, but this season he has been a key creative
spark in Unai Emery’s side.
Prediction
Schalke are favourites to win this match. Given their home form and the away goal that they take into this leg, Felix Magath’s team is expected to do well. Prediction: 1-0 to Schalke.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely of the writer’s and do not reflect the official editorial policy of www.bettor.com
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