'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQb/2gAIAQEAAAAAgn//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAECEAAAAAv/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAfEAEAAgEDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgQAAwYUISJhcfL/2gAIAQEAAT8AqbTrWZS4lmGnpIEo98k6ejDYd0AZ03yfGf/EABkRAAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIDAAERBf/aAAgBAgEBPwB3VeBZWT//xAAWEQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAAH/2gAIAQMBAT8AT2//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Schalke will hope to climb up to second in the 2. Bundesliga table on Friday when they take on Hannover 96 away from home.
Dimitrios Grammozis’ side have won four of their last five games in the league and find themselves fourth in the table. They have hit a purple patch after a tough start to the season.
Hannover, on the other hand, have struggled for form this season. They went into the international break with a draw against Nuremberg and will hope to return to winning ways against Schalke.
Despite the two sides’ contrasting form, just five points separate them. A win for Hannover would be a massive boost for Die Roten, who will not want to stagnate in the bottom half of the table for too long.
Hannover vs Schalke Head-to-head
The two teams have faced off 75 times, and Schalke have won this fixture 45 times. Hannover have picked up 18 wins, while 15 games have ended as draws.
Schalke have lost just once out of their last five games against Hannover, and will hope to avoid defeat again.
Hannover form guide: L-W-W-L-D
Schalke form guide: W-W-L-W-W
Hannover vs Schalke Team News
Hannover
Tom Trybull returned against Nuremberg before the international break and he is expected to feature once again.
Apart from Franck Evina, Hannover have a fully fit squad to choose from, and will hope it remains that way for the foreseeable future as they aim to put together a good run of results.
Injured: None
Doubtful: Franck Evina
Schalke
The trio of Danny Latza, Salif Sane and Blendi Idrizi are back in non-contact training. It is unlikely that Grammozis will give them some playing time against Hannover.
Michael Langer is still recovering from his ligament injury and will not feature against Hannover.
Injured: Michael Langer
Doubtful: Danny Latza, Salif Sane, Blendi Idrizi
Suspended: None
Hannover vs Schalke Predicted Lineups
Hannover 96 Probable XI (4-2-3-1): Ron-Robert Zieler; Niklas Hult, Julian Börner, Luka Krajnc, Sei Muroya; Tom Trybull, Gaël Ondoua; Sebastian Ernst, Linton Maina, Maximilian Beier; Lukas Hinterseer
Schalke Probable XI (3-1-4-2): Martin Fraisl; Marcin Kaminski, Mallick Thiaw, Ko Itakura; Victor Palsson; Thomas Ouwejan, Rodrigo Zalazar, Dominik Drexler, Mehmet Aydin; Marius Bulter, Simon Terodde
Hannover vs Schalke Prediction
Schalke clearly have promotion on their agenda this season, and their form in recent weeks has seen them emerge as contenders. They are just four points behind St. Pauli and have perhaps the best striker in the league.
Hannover’s defensive frailties could cost them against the Royal Blues, and we expect Grammozis’ side to emerge victorious against Hannover.
Prediction: Hannover 1-2 Schalke
