Schalke 04 vs. 1. FC Nuremburg

Since Felix Magath took the reins in Gelsenkirchen, the glowing fans of Schalke 04 dreaming of winning the championship. However, a comparison of the last direct duels between Schalke and opponent 1. FC Nuremberg gives a precise answer, who will be the favorite in this first game after the winter break.

The last victory for the Franconians reaches back in the last century, when Nuremberg gathered three points with a clear 3:0-win on 5th March 1999. Now situation is completely different: the squad of neo-coach Dieter Hecking is involved in nerve-stretching relegation battle, while Schalke ranks on second position in the Bundesliga.

Match details:
FC Schalke 04 vs. 1. FC Nuremberg
Sunday, January 17, 2009 - 3:30pm CET
18th match day (first after winter break)
Veltins-Arena Gelsenkirchen

Possible squads:

Schalke 04:
Neuer - Westermann, Bordon, Höwedes, Rafinha - Matip, Holtby, Baumjohann, Rakitic ? Farfan, Kuranyi

Nuremberg:
Schäfer - Diekmeier, Breno, Wolf, Pinola, - Ottl, Frantz, Gygax, - Mintal ? Bunjaku, Eigler

Current table:
2 Schalke 17 5 2 2 16 : 8 5 2 1 10 : 5 10 4 3 26 : 13 34
17 Nuremberg 17 2 1 5 7 : 12 1 2 6 5 : 20 3 3 11 12 : 32 12

Head-to-Head in Bundesliga
08.08.2009 FC Nuremberg - Schalke 04 1:2 Schalke 04
17.05.2008 FC Nuremberg - Schalke 04 0:2 Schalke 04
15.12.2007 Schalke 04 - FC Nuremberg 2:1 Schalke 04
24.07.2007 FC Nuremberg - Schalke 04 2:4 Schalke 04
05.05.2007 Schalke 04 - FC Nuremberg 1:0 Schalke 04
03.12.2006 FC Nuremberg - Schalke 04 0:0 Draw
25.02.2006 Schalke 04 - FC Nuremberg 2:0 Schalke 04
21.09.2005 FC Nuremberg - Schalke 04 1:1 Draw
02.04.2005 Schalke 04 - FC Nuremberg 4:1 Schalke 04
27.10.2004 FC Nuremberg - Schalke 04 0:2 Schalke 04

Prediction:
Schalke is in front of their home crowd hard to beat.

Nuremberg still searching for a sense of achievement, but their last away-victory in Gelsenkirchen has been a long time ago (to be exact: 18th September 1993)

Prediction is a win for Schalke 04 - 1.40 odd @ bet365.com