Fortuna DusseldorfvsSchalke 04

Fortuna Dusseldorf's Home Advantage and Scoring Prowess

Fortuna Dusseldorf enters this clash with Schalke 04 with a notable home advantage, having not lost to Schalke in their last four encounters at home. Historically, Fortuna has been the stronger side in these matchups, winning five of the last eight meetings at home against Schalke. Their recent form shows a mixed bag, but a crucial win against Karlsruher SC could be a turning point. With top scorers like Isak Bergmann Johannesson and Dawid Kownacki in fine form, Fortuna's attacking threat is undeniable. They average 1.77 goals per match, and their ability to score consistently makes them a formidable opponent.

Schalke 04's Struggles and New Additions

Schalke 04, on the other hand, is navigating a challenging period. Despite sitting 13th in the table, their recent performances have been underwhelming, highlighted by a goalless draw against Eintracht Braunschweig. The addition of Loris Karius aims to bolster their defensive stability, but the team has struggled to find the net in their last two matches. Schalke's top scorers, Moussa Sylla and Kenan Karaman, will need to step up if they are to challenge Fortuna's defense.

Key Statistics and Trends

The head-to-head statistics favor Fortuna, with an average of 2.2 goals scored against Schalke in their encounters. Schalke has not won any of their last five meetings against Fortuna in the 2. Bundesliga, and their last away win against Fortuna was back in 2018. Both teams have shown a tendency to score, with Fortuna conceding in each of their last seven matches and Schalke failing to score in only two of their seven away games this season.

Prediction and Conclusion

Considering the current form, historical data, and home advantage, Fortuna Dusseldorf is poised to secure a victory. However, Schalke's potential to score cannot be overlooked, making a scenario where both teams find the net highly likely. Expect a competitive match with Fortuna edging out Schalke, possibly with a scoreline of 2-1.