Prediction Hannover 96 vs Schalke 04 2025/2026 – Betting Tips for the 2. Bundesliga on 17/10/2025

Match context and recent form

Hannover 96 welcome Schalke 04 to the HDI Arena on 17/10/2025 in what shapes up to be one of the more intriguing fixtures of round 9 in the 2. Bundesliga. The hosts sit fifth with 17 points from eight matches, boasting an attacking return of 15 goals so far; Schalke occupy second place with 18 points and a much tighter defensive record, having conceded just five goals in eight outings. The contrasting profiles are clear — Hannover have been more productive in front of goal while Schalke have been more conservative at the back.

Formlines tell a similar story of two teams in good shape. Hannover arrive with a run that includes three draws and several wins in recent weeks, a sequence that underlines consistency at home. Their recent 2-2 draw at SpVgg Greuther Fürth and a 3-1 win over Arminia Bielefeld highlight a side that scores freely but can also be caught out. Schalke, meanwhile, bring a streak of wins to this trip, including a 2-1 victory away at Arminia Bielefeld and multiple clean sheets across the campaign, underlined by three shutouts so far.

Tactical edge and historical note

Head-to-head history provides extra spice: when these sides met in March 2025, Hannover left Gelsenkirchen with a 2-1 win. That recent away success will give Hannover confidence that they can replicate the result in front of their own fans. Statistically, Hannover’s matches have skewed towards higher totals — they have recorded over 2.5 goals in 75% of their fixtures — whereas Schalke’s matches have been lower scoring more often, with an over 2.5 mark in 37.5% of their games. Shots and attacking indicators favour Hannover too; their aggregate shots and inside-the-box numbers suggest a team that presses forward and creates chances.

Both sides also feature standout recent performers highlighted in the data: Benjamin Källman was man of the match for Hannover in their last draw, while Christopher Antwi-Adjei earned the plaudits for Schalke in their most recent win. Those individual flashes can decide close encounters, but the balance of team statistics points towards one particular outcome.

Prediction and betting tip

On the balance of form, goalscoring trends and the bookmaker market, the most sensible single-market pick is a home victory. Bookmakers make Hannover the favourite at 1.90, a price that reflects their attacking momentum, home advantage at the HDI Arena and the psychological boost of the March head-to-head win. Expect an open start with Hannover pushing the pace and Schalke compact and dangerous on the break, but the edge goes to the hosts.

Recommended bet: 1X2 — Hannover 96 to win (odds 1.90).