#S04TSG: Direct battle for a European berth

Did you know that…

…TSG have a good recent record against S04?

Hoffenheim have lost only one of their past seven Bundesliga meetings with Schalke. During that period, there have been four victories – including the 5-2 triumph on Easter Saturday last year – and two draws.

…Hoffenheim have been in convincing form on the road this term?

Coach Alfred Schreuder's charges have taken 18 points from their 11 away matches this season. They currently occupy fifth place in the away table, despite having played one away game fewer than most teams.

…this is a meeting of two neighbours in the table?

Sixth-placed FC Schalke 04, who have 35 points, currently sit only two places and two points above TSG. A win for Hoffenheim on Saturday would see them leapfrog the Royal Blues in the table.

…TSG are among the best in the league from corner-kicks?

Alfred Schreuder's team have impressed at set-pieces this season – both offensively and defensively. Hoffenheim have conceded just three goals from defensive set-pieces – only Leverkusen have conceded fewer (two goals). Meanwhile, TSG have already scored eight goals from corner-kicks, which is four more than they managed in the entirety of last season.

…David Wagner has a Hoffenheim past?

The 48-year-old Schalke coach worked in the TSG Academy, where he took charge of the U17s and U19s, between 2007 and 2009. They were his first two roles as a coach.

…Schalke 04 have had a dip in form of late?

The Royal Blues had a good first half-season but have been less successful recently. Wagner's charges have taken only three points from their last six Bundesliga matches, scoring only one goal in the process. They lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the DFB Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.

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