The formerly ultra-competitive Revierderby has become slightly less interesting in recent years with Borussia Dortmund’s resurgence. Schalke 04 are now clearly second best, but with Dortmund’s recent average form and their slew of absences, the Königsblauen might have a chance to pull out a big result on Saturday.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Schalke 04: Preview and TV schedule
Schalke and Dortmund are hobbled heading into the Revierderby, with both sides facing a number of injury doubts.
Schalke come into the derby in good form, having avoided defeat against all of their opponents except for Bayern Munich. They recorded an impressive 3-0 victory over Wolfsburg before the international break, but their previous league match was a 2-2 draw against Fortuna Düsseldorf in which they threw away a lead. Dortmund were not at their best in their last match, a 1-1 draw against Hannover, but there’s hardly any shame in that. They streamrolled Borussia Mönchengladbach in their previous match, winning 5-0.
Borussia Dortmund injuries and suspensions
Out: Mario Götze (hamstring), Jakub Blaszczykowski (knee), Patrick Owomoyela (calf). In doubt: Mats Hummels (hip), Marcel Schmelzer (fitness), Ilkay Gündogan (back).
Schalke 04 injuries and suspensions
Out: Sergio Escudero (groin), Chinedu Obasi (thigh), Kyriakos Papadopoulos (illness). In Doubt: Julian Draxler (arm), Jefferson Farfan (fitness), Tranquillo Barnetta (fitness).
While this edition of the Revierderby will feature plenty of quality on both sides of the pitch, both teams will be very shorthanded. Thanks to the international break and the fitness problems that come with it, a number of players are in doubt, but not confirmed out for either side. Götze’s hamstring injury is the biggest recent concern for either team. Hummels and Schmelzer should play for Dortmund.
Match Date/Time: 3:30 p.m. local, 9:30 a.m.. ET
Venue: Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany
TV: Sky Fussball Bundesliga (Germany), GolTV (U.S. and Canada - Delay)
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