Schalke 04 – Sporting Lisbon / Champions League – It hadn’t been expected that these two teams will not win in the last two rounds, but Schalke drew two times while Sporting drew and lost once. Both teams were surprised by Maribor with whom they drew, where Schalke did ??it at home, while Sporting lost to Chelsea, with whom Schalke drew previously. Last weekend, both teams won, Schalke in the championship, and Sporting in the Cup. Until now they haven’t faced each other in European competitions. Begins: 21.10.2014 – 20:45 CET

Schalke 04
Schalke won a valuable match in the Bundesliga on Saturday, which propelled them into the upper half of the table and after that everything will be much easier in the continuation of the Champions League. That victory over Hertha was psychologically important because they lost to Hoffenheim before the break, while before that they only drew with Maribor. It was also important that new coach di Matteo starts with a victory, although it must be said they weren’t completely dominant as the result of 2-0 perhaps indicates.

Di Matteo had made ??several changes in the team, so Ayhan was stopper, Neustadter returned to position of defensive midfielder that is natural for him, while Boateng got somewhat more offensive role. It’s good that midfielder Draxler played greatly, which means that he is getting back in a good shape. New change in the team for this match could be return of Aogo on the left flank, and Hoger on the defensive midfielder, which means that Fuchs goes on the bench.

Probable lineups Schalke 04: Fahrmann – Uchida, Ayhan, Howedes, Aogo – Hoger, Neustadter – Choupo-Moting, Boateng, Draxler – Huntelaar

Sporting Lisbon
Sporting didn’t start as expected in the Champions League, although there is enough time to fix everything. It cannot be said it was a great failure to lose at home to Chelsea, as they were a very strong team and Sporting, except that match, lost no more this season. They play very tough but often draw, which is the reason why they are only fourth in the standings, having the same number of tied matches.

They better play at home where they score more goals. Good thing to know before this match was a victory at home over Porto in the Cup on Saturday by 3-1. Coach Silva rested in that match two players who will be most likely the starters in this match and that the striker Slimani and midfielder Carrillo. This means that Montero and Capel should hit the bench so the team would be very similar to one that faced Chelsea in the last round of the Champions League or in the last round of championship when they defeated Penafiel by 4-0.

Probable lineups Sporting Lisbon: Rui Patricio – Cedric, Paulo Oliveira, Mauricio, Silva – W. Carvalho, Adrien Silva – Nani, Joao Mario, Carrillo – Slimani

Schalke 04 – Sporting Lisbon PICK
Defence shouldn’t be at the forefront of either team as both of them must try to win. Schalke will be under additional pressure due to the home pitch, while Sporting are very uncomfortable away and can certainly score a goal.

Pick: over 2.5 goals

Stake: 6/10

Odds: 1.85