Man City to play their cards right
Disastrous Season
Schalke 04 are royal blue mess this season. They currently sit 14th in the Bundesliga with a goal difference of -7.
It has really been a tale of two seasons for this Gelsenkirchen-based team as Tedesco's first year at Schalke was an unprecedented success, finishing second in the Bundesliga.
Their poor form this season in the league is unsurprisingly reflected in their poor discipline record. They have currently picked up the third most yellow cards in the league with 47, just one behind Wolfsburg who have the most. Their last game at home, against 13th placed Freiburg, descended into chaos after Schalke's defensive midfielder Suat Serdar was sent off in the 42nd minute. There were 25 fouls in the match which ended 0-0.
Model Citizens
Man City are challenging Liverpool in the league again and are favourites to win every competition they are in this season (PL, CL, FA Cup & LC).
Their dominant possession and ease with with they (usually) breeze past inferior teams in the Premier League is reflected in their discipline record. They are currently 18th in the yellow card table - with 34 cards this season. You can compare this to their neighbours, Man Utd, who have picked up 51 yellows this season. Man City have only picked up one red card this season in the PL. It simply doesn't benefit their game to be putting their studs through people.
Betting Tip
I think Schalke can, at most, hope for a draw here. I expect heroic defending and constant pressure from Man City. Even if Schalke are on their best behaviour I can see Silva, Aguero, Sterling and De Bruyne drawing a number of unintentional fouls.
