Schalke 04vsSC Paderborn 07

The Royal Blues' Resurgence

Schalke 04, the team with a fan base as passionate as a Marvel movie premiere, is gearing up to face SC Paderborn 07. The Royal Blues have been busy off the pitch, signing Loris Karius, the former Liverpool goalkeeper, to bolster their squad. Karius, known for his rollercoaster career, is expected to add some much-needed experience between the sticks. Schalke's recent 0-0 draw against Eintracht Braunschweig might not have been the fireworks fans hoped for, but it showed their defensive resilience, especially with Karius now in the mix.

Paderborn's Persistent Push

SC Paderborn 07, sitting comfortably in 8th place, have been the epitome of consistency this season. Despite a recent 1-2 loss to Hertha BSC, they've shown they can hang with the big boys. Their away form has been solid, with a record of 6 wins, 7 draws, and only 2 losses. However, their defense has been leakier than a sieve, conceding in each of their last five matches. With players like Sven Michel and Felix Platte leading the charge, Paderborn is always a threat going forward.

Head-to-Head: Schalke's Fortress

Historically, Schalke has been the kryptonite to Paderborn's Superman. In their last 12 meetings, Schalke has emerged victorious 9 times. Playing at home, Schalke has never lost to Paderborn in their last five encounters, boasting a goal difference of 12-5. The last time these two met at Schalke's turf, it ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, suggesting that goals are usually on the menu.

The Prediction: Goals Galore

Given Schalke's home advantage and Paderborn's tendency to score but also concede, this match promises to be a goal fest. Schalke's Moussa Sylla, with 16 goals this season, will be looking to add to his tally, while Paderborn's Filip Bilbija, with 9 goals, will aim to spoil the party. Both teams have a knack for scoring late, with Schalke netting 24% of their goals and Paderborn 37% in the final 15 minutes. Expect both teams to find the back of the net, but Schalke's historical dominance and recent form give them the edge.

In conclusion, Schalke 04 is likely to win this encounter, but not without a fight from Paderborn. Both teams are expected to score, making it a thrilling match for the fans.