Schalke vs Hertha Berlin Prediction 01.08.2025
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Schalke vs Hertha Berlin Prediction
Schalke vs Hertha Berlin Prediction and Betting Tips for the 2. Bundesliga opener on Friday, August 1. The season kicks off at the roaring Veltins-Arena, and fans can expect fireworks. Both clubs are looking to shake off miserable campaigns and mount a serious push for promotion. Discover our 2. Bundesliga Predictions from the XpertStats team ahead of this heavyweight clash.
- Schalke conceded a league-high 35 home goals last season
- Hertha lost only once in their last nine games of the previous campaign
- Both teams struggle defensively but pack a punch going forward
- 4 or more goals have been scored in 3 of their last 5 encounters
Let’s be honest: Schalke’s 2024/25 season was a car crash. Finishing 14th with just 38 points, they slumped to their worst 2. Bundesliga showing ever. Defensively, they were an open book: leaking 35 goals at home, more than any other side. Their pre-season wasn’t much better. A 2-4 defeat to Sevilla exposed more of the same fragility at the back. Yes, there’s a new man in charge, Miron Muslic, and yes, he’s injected some grit and intensity in training but can he really fix that shaky defense overnight? Hard to say. The pressure is massive already, and over 60,000 fans will be watching closely.
Still, there’s a flicker of hope. Schalke’s attacking players: Sylla, Topp, and Lasme, showed flashes last season. And historically, they’ve owned this fixture, winning more official matches against Hertha than almost anyone else. That counts for something. But unless their new backline gels quickly, even scoring twice might not be enough. Muslic wants aggressive football, but that could leave them even more exposed, especially against a team that loves to hit on the counter.
Hertha, on the other hand, comes into this with a bit more wind in their sails. They ended last season strong, just one loss in the final nine matches and 18 points collected, tied-best in the league with Elversberg. Coach Stefan Leitl’s men have looked sharp in pre-season, too, with four wins from six. The loss of Brooks and Seguin hurts, sure, but the Berliners have brought in quality reinforcements. And keeping hold of Fabian Reese? That’s a win in itself. Eleven goals in 14 league games since his comeback, the guy’s on fire.
This isn’t just about new faces or stats though. It’s about who’s ready, mentally and physically, to set the tone for the season. Hertha hasn’t won a season opener in four years. That’s a curse they’ll want to end. Schalke? They’re banking on a fresh start, but nerves, history, and defensive gaps might catch up with them. One thing’s clear: this match has all the ingredients for goals. And when these two collide, clean sheets are usually left at home. Expect noise, chaos, and drama. Just how we like our openers. For more insights, check out our 2. Bundesliga Predictions hub.
Both teams enter this season with attacking potential and glaring defensive question marks. Schalke conceded a league-worst 35 goals at home last season, and their pre-season showing notably the 2-4 loss to Sevilla: did little to ease concerns at the back. Meanwhile, Hertha’s defense is already weakened by the absence of Brooks and Seguin. The Berliners, however, finished 2024/25 in good form, scoring in four of their last five games and losing just once. Their attacking core, especially Fabian Reese and Dawid Kownacki, has looked sharp in friendlies. Schalke has also scored in their last five competitive matches. Crucially, in the last five head-to-heads between these clubs, both sides scored every time. Given the statistical trend and the stylistic openness both teams bring — high press, quick transitions, and often loose defending — “Both Teams to Score” looks like a very solid call for this fiery opener.
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