The Revierderby: 4 Things You Should Know and How to Make Money from it

The derby fever of the month of March, which started off last weekend, will continue this week.

The COVID-19 virus has forced a number of games to be played behind closed doors, postponed or outright called off. This pre-cautionary move is expected to disrupt the way football will be played and watched in Europe.

However, nothing was said about club football games in Germany until yesterday. While the Champions League tie between RB Leipzig and Tottenham featured a full and noisy stadium yesterday, it’ll be different in Europe’s top five leagues this weekend, including the Bundesliga which will feature the Revierderby.

Why is there so much noise about the Revierderby? What is it and why should you care?

1. A Derby Game Between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04

The Revierderby, also known as the Ruhr derby, is the name given to any association football match between two clubs in the Ruhr region – a region which is also called the Revier. However, this term almost always refers to the derby between Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04.

With bragging rights at stake, the game always features a noisy atmosphere, with fans cheering their favorite teams.

2. Schalke Have More Revierderby Wins

This will be the 155^th meeting between both sides, of which Schalke have won 60. The side in blue have enjoyed featuring in this derby in recent meetings. However, with Borussia Dortmund scoring twice the amount of goals Schalke have scored this season, this derby may produce a winner that is not Schalke 04.

3. Recent History Between Both Sides Has Featured A Lot of Draws

The head-to-head record between both sides shows that five of the last 10 meetings between them have ended in a draw. This shows just how keenly contested the Revierderby has always been. And although both sides are in second and sixth place respectively on the Bundesliga table, there’ll be nothing much to separate them when they face off this weekend.

4. Rivals with a Contrast in Form

You’ll have to go back as far as January to find a game which Schalke won. Their 2-0 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach remains their only win (in 90 minutes) in their last 10 games. This is a total contrast to Dortmund’s form which features eight wins in their last 10 games.

Things could quickly go from bad to worse for Schalke as they will be playing away from home. However, they will take solace in the fact that the game will be played behind closed doors as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus.

That being said, which of these two teams do you think will win the 96^th Bundesliga encounter between these local rivals? Drop your predictions in the comments section and join the conversation.