FC Schalke gets ready to take on the big guns of FC Barcelona in first leg of the 2008 Champion League Quarter Final play. Underdog Schalke are prepared to do whatever it takes to get a couple goals against the 2005 UEFA Champs. Bookmaker.com has Barcelona as 200-moneyline favs over Schalke who are listed as +160 underdogs. Get your Barcelona vs Schalke pick in now at Bookmaker.com
Schalke finished second in Group B action with a 2W-2D-2L record to get them into the round if 16. They finished with the lowest points total out of the final 16 that advanced. They faced FC Porto in the knockout round. The match ended in a 1-1 draw after Porto’s Lopez tied it up after 86 minutes. Schalke emerged 4-1 winners in a penalty shoot-out where goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saved two spot-kicks. Schalke's home record against visitors from Spain includes three wins and two draws in seven fixtures. Schalke are 3-2 SU in their five previous two-leg contests against sides from Spain. Schalke have nothing to lose as they know they are the underdogs. They’ll bring everything they got, offense wise, as home field may play to their advantage. Rafinha leads Schalke with 25 goals and in Champions league play Bordon, Rafinha and Westermann are tied at eight goals apiece.
Barcelona won Group E with four wins and two draws and they remain one of three sides still unbeaten, along with Chelsea FC and Manchester United FC. They beat Celtic FC 4-2 on aggregate in the first knockout round. After trailing twice, they eventually prevailed 3-2 in the first leg in Glasgow thanks to goals from Lionel Messi (2) and Thierry Henry. Xavi Hernández struck the only goal of the return after just three minutes. Barca won on German soil this year beating VFB Stuttgart 2-0 and they are 9-4 SU against teams from Germany. They’ve outscored their opponents 12-3 in Champions league play so far. Barca hasn’t been playing outstanding lately as they lost 2-3 on the road to Real Betis, in the Spanish Primera Division. Xavi leads Barca with 27 goals while Ronaldinho struggles with just 13 goals in their respected leagues. In Champions league play Ronaldinho, Messi and Xavi are tied at seven goals a piece.
FC Schalke vs FC Barcalona
Kickoff: April 1, 2008 1:45 PM ET
Line: Bookmaker.com
Pick: Barcelona -200
The Low Down: Schalke might just be the underdog of the Championship as Barca has been struggling on the road. Neverless Barca has a lot of talented players that can be devastating around the net. Get your Barcelona vs Schalke pick in now at Bookmaker.com
