Schalke last 5 league matches: 
Schalke last 3 home matches:
Mainz last 5 league matches:
Mainz last 3 away matches:
Table positions: Schalke -2, Mainz -8
Schalke home table position: 4
Mainz away table position: 16
The first match of day 17 in the German Bundesliga and the only one
on Friday as second Schalke 04 will welcome Mainz in the hope achieving
the first place before the winter break.
The last official match in this year for both these teams as the next
leg is scheduled on the 16th of January and Schalke are only one point
short of leaders Bayer Leverkusen and one above third Bayern Munchen.
The team is in good form in the Bundesliga with 2 victories in the
last 2 matches played, taking full advantage of the leaders draw against
Hannover and Herta and managing to relaunch the championship.
Their home record is good but not impressive, from the 8 games played
so far they have won 4, ended 2 in draws and lost 2 with the goal ratio
of 15 scored and 8 conceded.
Mainz is currently on a honorable 8th spot in the table with a total
of 24 points, they have little room to move as in case of a victory they
can advance only one position and if defeated falling to the 10th spot
depending on the other teams results.
Their good table position is mostly due to their home statistic as in
away matches the record is very poor, with only one victory so far and 3
draws in 8 played.
My pick: Schalke to win