Borussia Dortmund vs. Schalke: Hosts backed to ‘hit the ground running with all three points’

This Saturday’s Revierderby is undoubtedly the headline act for the return of football.

While the resumption of the Bundesliga will lift spirits all around the world, one fixture may do that more than the others.

Despite the matches taking place behind closed doors, a large following is still expected. And nowhere is that more true than in the first game back.

Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke is an exciting meeting in normal circumstances. But the stakes are much higher this time around.

The hosts sit second in the table, four points off leaders Bayern Munich. And their opponents occupy sixth place in the German top-flight.

Dortmund are, therefore, favourites at 11/17 to win the game. The visitors can be backed at 24/5 to take all three points.

A draw between the pair is available at 17/5. 

Before the break, Dortmund had won four league games in a row for the first time this season. 

In stark contrast, Schalke go into the game with their longest winless run under manager David Wagner. They’ve not won in seven matches, the longest current run in the Bundesliga. They have, however, lost only once in their last eight Revierderby games.

The last largely uneventful affair ended in a goalless draw. It’s currently 16/1 for a repeat of that scoreline on Saturday.

However, the home side certainly have a new leash of life up front. January signing Erling Haaland has been in sensational form ever since arriving from RB Salzburg.

In fact, the Norwegian and fellow attacker Jadon Sancho have scored more Bundesliga goals this calendar year than the entire Schalke team.

Haaland is currently 14/5 to open the scoring this weekend.

Sancho has been given odds of 9/2 to break the deadlock, with captain Marco Reus available at 11/2.

Thorgan Hazard and Mario Gotze are available at 8/1 to score first, with young forward Giovanni Reyna currently 17/2.

For the away side, Amine Harit has been their most influential player this season. He has had a hand in more league goals than any other Schalke player in the campaign.

He’s 14/1 to net the game’s first goal, with his team-mate Suat Serdar also available at 14/1.

It’s currently 21/10 for Dortmund to win and both teams to score. A Schalke victory and both teams to score is available at 9/1, with a draw and both teams to score currently 9/2.