At the beginning of the season, no one could have predicted that a February match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Schalke 04 would have serious title implications for both teams. Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich are still the two favorites to take the Bundesliga crown, but this is truly a four-way race, and either team can establish themselves as a very clear third favorite with a win on Saturday.
Borussia Mönchengladbach Vs. Schalke, 2012 Bundelsiga Week 21: Title Contenders Look To Rebound After Poor Weeks
Schalke 04 and Borussia Mönchengladbach look to shake off bad weeks and establish themselves as legitimate title contenders.
Marco Reus -- who has agreed to a summer move to Dortmund -- has been absolutely brilliant for Gladbach this season. However, he was absolutely woeful last week against Wolfsburg in a very odd and uncharacteristic 0-0 draw. Perhaps Reus and company got caught looking ahead to Schalke, and Lucien Favre will be hoping that’s the only reason his team didn’t play well last week. Similar things can be said about Schalke, who were poor in the first half of their 1-1 draw against Mainz.
Schalke won the first game between the two teams at home, but were hardly dominant in an entertaining match with dozens more chances than goals. Raul came up with the only finish in that match, putting one past Marc-Andre ter Stegen in a 1-0 victory.
Gladbach have a fully fit team to choose from, while Schalke have a couple of injury issues. Alexander Baumjohann and Lewis Holtby are still injured, but Schalke are deep with wingers and attacking midfield players.
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Schalke
Game Date/Time: Saturday, February 11, 12:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. local
Venue: Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach, Germany
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