Düsseldorf v Schalke (Bundesliga 2)

This is a matchup between a struggling side, Düsseldorf, and a fallen giant – relegated Schalke who are aiming to bounce back up to the Bundesliga. 

Düsseldorf are definitely struggling. They sit in 16^th place which means they would face promotion/relegation playoffs at the end of the season. They are five points clear of Erzgebirge Aue and three points behind Sandhausen for safety. Fortuna Düsseldorf have lost four straight and have also failed to score. They have also allowed at least one goal against in 19 of their 21 games played and have also failed to win their last five home games.

Schalke are fifth, but the gaps are close and they trail league leaders Darmstadt by only two points. Schalke have not lost in their five most recent league games played, winning three times. They suffered only one defeat in their last eight.

Düsseldorf have been active in the transfer market, and have signed Jordy de Wijs and David Ginczek to provide some extra quality. This will be needed as currently Adam Bodzek, Emmanuel Iyoha, Kristoffer Peterson and Edgar Prib are injured. Peterson will be missed, he is a regular with 18 matches played. The other three have been out for a while, but would feature more often.

Schalke’s recent signing Andreas Vindheim is injured. Dominick Draxler is also injured, but I don’t see this as an issue. Blendi Indrizi (11 apps) will start again and that’s no reason for concern. Reinhold Ranftl also came on for Vindheim, he was already a regular with 14 appearances.

Considering the recent records and the overall strength of Schalke being better and lastly that they really don’t need to make any significant changes to their line-up, which Düsseldorf has been having to do lately – they are my favourites to take the three points here.

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Viktoria Berlin v Verl (3. Liga)

It’s the first time in their histories that Viktoria Berlin and Verl face off in the 3. Liga.

Viktoria were promoted last season and are doing a decent job so far. They are currently fourteenth. They trail the other Viktoria from Köln by three points, but have three games in hand. Mathematically they can overtake three more teams if they win all these games. Verl seems a likely win at least. Berlin have lost three of their last four, but all four games were away games. They have won half their home games and haven’t lost their three most recent games on Berlin soil.

Verl were promoted the season before and had a fantastic first season finishing seventh. The second year is always tougher for them, as they are in 16^th place currently, just one point ahead of the drop zone. Verl have won just one of their last thirteen games so that is a big concern. They also failed to win their last eight away games.

Patrick Kapp is suspended for Viktoria Berlin (20 apps, 2 goals). Tobias Gunte (14 apps) is also out, but those are the two only key players for the home team. The talented Brooklyn Ezeh and Cebrails Macreckis will fill in. Ezeh scored twice in the last match against Waldhof.

Aaron Berzel is doubtful for Verl (4 apps) and projected starting player Daniel Mikic (3 apps) has been sidelined with a knee injury for quite a while.

Considering there are not too many player issues, I can see a home win occurring here.

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