FC Schalke 04 vs 1. FC Nürnberg AI Prediction & AI Prediction | 2. Bundesliga

FC Schalke 04 vs 1. FC Nürnberg: Miners Aim to Consolidate Home Dominance

Round 16 of the 2. Bundesliga sees a stark contrast in recent fortunes as FC Schalke 04 host 1. FC Nürnberg. The home side has been imperious at home, while Nürnberg arrives on a mixed run, looking to shore up a leaky defence.

FC Schalke 04 have established themselves as a formidable force at home this season, boasting an impressive 85.7% win rate. Their overall season record is strong, with an average of 1.3 goals scored and a remarkably tight defence conceding just 0.5 per game. Even more encouraging is their recent home form; they've won their last three at home, scoring 1.3 goals in each and keeping clean sheets in two of those matches. Their last outing saw them pick up a convincing 2-0 home win, reinforcing their status as a difficult opponent on their own turf.

1. FC Nürnberg presents a more inconsistent picture. While their overall season sees them score just over a goal per game, their away record is concerning, with four losses in their last seven away fixtures. They've been conceding a significant 1.7 goals on the road this season. Their most recent form hasn't offered much solace, with only one win in their last three games, and their last away match was a heavy 3-0 defeat. Despite a recent 2-2 draw at home, the defensive frailties evident in their away performances are a clear concern.

Schalke's tactical approach at home is likely to be centered around maintaining their defensive solidity and looking to exploit transitions. Their ability to win games despite lower possession figures suggests they are effective at turning defensive shape into attacking opportunities. Nürnberg, on the other hand, typically enjoys more possession and a higher pass completion rate, but their struggles to convert this into consistent wins, especially away from home, indicates a potential disconnect between build-up play and final third effectiveness. The home side's compact structure and efficient finishing could prove too much for Nürnberg's less convincing away defence.

FC Schalke 04's dominant home record, coupled with their recent clean sheets, makes them strong favourites. Nürnberg's away form and defensive issues suggest they will struggle to contain the hosts. The odds reflect this, with Schalke heavily favoured. Given Schalke's defensive strength and Nürnberg's struggles to score away, a win for the hosts with fewer than three goals in total seems the most probable outcome.

Key points

• FC Schalke 04 have won 6 of their 7 home league games this season (85.7% win rate).
• 1. FC Nürnberg has lost 4 of their last 7 away matches, conceding 1.7 goals per away game.
• Schalke averages only 0.5 goals conceded per game overall, highlighting their defensive resilience.