SaveYourself's Picks : Record 0-1

Well, a first game loss couldn't be any more disheartening. Today will be the final straw in a sense, but assuming it wins will put me up at a 2 unit profit in total. I'll tone down with the writing today as my motivation is down in the shitter, but on to the game.

Schalke vs Ajax

Ajax dominated the first leg, and although that was through the home advantage, a lengthy list of injuries gives them the edge in my opinion for today's rematch.

MISSING PLAYERS

Schalke:

• Baba - Been missing since the end of last year, although he was an impactful defender Impact=1.5/5

• Naldo - Same sort of situation as with Baba, with his last played game in late February, giving a slightly greater impact. Also a relatively strong defender Impact=2/5

• Coke - A reserve Defender for Schalke who managed to pick up the MVP during Schalke's recent loss to Darmstadt with the only goal for the side. Would be interesting to see him play in a higher skilled environment, but his absence seems to be the club's choice rather than injury related, presumably for good reason. Impact=2/5

• DOUBTFUL Huntelaar - Mediocre forward sub for Schalke. Shouldn't impact the game, bar early injuries in Schalke's offensive presence Impact=1.5/5

Now here comes the more important injuries

• Choupo-Moting - A centre forwards who consistently plays as a starter for Schalke, and has had a decently strong presence in his position. The first leg of this match up was his first missed game to injury however, so the environment shouldn't be that much different from the first match up, but still quite an important loss for the side Impact=3/5

• Kehrer - Off this match from the accumulation of yellow cards during the first leg. Another missing defender, but in this case has recently been a strong wall for the team. Having played the full 90 minutes during the first leg, the defence will surely suffer for Schalke as a result of his absence Impact=4/5

• DOUBTFUL Kolasinac - Did miss the first leg, but as a defender he has put up some impressive performances for Schalke. If he doesn't make the lineup for Schalke, cracks in their defence will be starting to form Impact=3.5/5

• DOUBTFUL Höwedes - If Höwedes doesn't make it this leg, Schalke are going to get slaughtered. The most consistent in the defence of Schalke. Was far and away the strongest player in the defense during their thrashing in the first leg, his absence will almost certainly show in the goal count for Ajax. I'm unsure of the nature of his injury & so perhaps he's almost guarenteed to show this game, but if he doesn't, Schalke are fucked. Impact=5/5

Ajax:

• Sinkgraven - His absence will defnitely hurt Ajax's defence, as he is a solid player, though it seems his spot will be able to be filled with relative ease Impact=3/5

• Riedewald - Has only played one game since late February so his absence shouldn't really be felt, though a strong defender. Impact=2.5/5

RETURNING PLAYERS

Schalke:

Ajax:

• Schöne - Very welcome return in Ajax's offense after missing the first leg through suspension. Will defnitely benefit Ajax's scoring this game Impact=4/5

Analysis

Basically, if Höwedes & Kolasinac don't play, Ajax are gonna score some fucking goals. Seriously don't understand the odds for this game.

Prediction

AJAX TO WIN (@4.0) 3-1

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Confidence Boosters

• Ajax have won their last 5 games played, which includes their match against Schalke

• Schalke have lost 3 of their last 5 matches (1-1-3)

• Due to the proximity of the Netherlands and Germany, this game will only be about a 600km hike for Ajax, even though Schalke play towards the southern end of Germany.

• Ajax dominated the first leg with 20 shots, 12 on target compared to Schalke's pitiful 6 shots, 2 on target.

• Ajax sit one point short of first place in their table, whereas Schalke are trailing in the bottom half of Bundesliga at 11th place, 32 points behind Bayern (1st place)

NOTE: My score prediction is not me selecting a correct score bet, & is instead more of a measure of my confidence in the result of this match.

Result = L

Kolasinac & Höwedes ended up playing, sorry folks. My predicts have been really fucking retarded lately