Schalke haven’t lost in their last ten matches at home in the Bundesliga, and they know a victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday will clinch a spot in the group stage of next season’s UEFA Champions League. However, if the result goes the way of Die Fohlen, it will give them hope for Europe’s prestigious tournament with two matches to go.
Schalke 04 vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach: Preview and TV schedule
Three points will do wonders for the Champions League aspirations of Schalke and Borussia Mönchengladbach this weekend.
Juergen Schwarz
Only Bayern Munich have won more points in the second half of the season than Jens Keller's Schalke. In fact, six months ago, you may have been surprised to still see Keller in charge of the team, but here we are. He was forced into playing young players in big situations this season due to injuries and the like, and it has paid off tremendously. Schalke have star players in Julian Draxler, Max Meyer, and Leon Goretzka. At the back, they seem to have secured the defense with young guys in Kaan Ayhan and Sead Kolasinac. It's been a roller coaster season, but Schalke appear set for another top three finish.
Gladbach struggled out of the gate for the second half, but they’ve been getting back into the groove of things. Of course, Juan Arango is the key to everything for Lucien Favre’s team. If the Colombian is rolling, Schalke will have a lot to fear. The real question here is how this backline will hold up against the firepower of Die Königsblauen. Can Roel Brouwers and Alvara Dominguez keep Klaas Jan Huntelaar back for long?
Schalke injuries and suspensions
Out: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Jefferson Farfan, Christian Fuchs, Christian Clemens, Benedikt Höwedes, Atsuto Uchida. In doubt: Klaas Jan Huntelaar.
Borussia Mönchengladbach injuries and suspensions
Out: Granit Xhaka, Martin Stranzl. In doubt: Oscar Wendt.
Projected lineups
Schalke: Ralf Fährmann; Tim Hoogland, Kaan Ayhan, Joel Matip, Sead Kolasinac; Kevin Prince Boateng, Roman Neustädter; Leon Goretzka, Max Meyer, Julian Draxler; Klaas Jan Huntelaar
Borussia Mönchengladbach: Marc Andre ter Stegen; Tony Jantschke, Roel Brouwers, Alvaro Dominguez, Filip Daems; Christoph Kramer, Havard Nordtveit; Patrick Herrmann, Juan Arango; Raffael; Max Kruse
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. local, 11:30 a.m. ET
Venue: Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen
TV: Gol TV (USA, Canada), BT Sport 1 (UK), Sky Bundesliga (Germany)
Online: Sky Go (Germany),
Listings via LiveSoccerTV.
See More:
