The Bavarian giants will take on Huub Stevens’ side at home in a bid to bring their season back on track.
Jupp Heynckes’ men will face Die Knappen at the Allianz Arena on Sunday, February 26, in one of the most anticipated league clashes of the weekend. Both sides would be looking to get something from the match to remain on the heels
of leaders, Borussia Dortmund.
The last time these two sides met in the league was back in September last year at the Veltins-Arena. The visitors emerged victorious in the fixture with a 2-0 score-line as Nils Petersen and Thomas Muller found the net.
Bayern Munich
The former German champions have been in disappointing form this year and have dropped to third place on the Bundesliga standings table from being first when going into the winter break. Bayern have thus far played seven times
in all competition since the winter break ended last month and won only three games, losing two and drawing two.
The Bavarians are coming from a shock 1-0 loss at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Basel-c39079 in the UEFA Champions League knock-out round which will further dent their confidence for the upcoming games.
Schalke 04
Die Knappen have been sensational this season and their performances have been in complete contrast to those from the previous campaign. The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Royal-95-c40387 Blues are certainly one of the teams contending for the title this season and a
win at Allianz Arena would definitely enhance their chances.
Schalke’s confidence will be high after their brilliant 3-1 home win against Viktoria Plzen in the UEFA Europa League. The side has progressed to the last 16 of competition where they will meet http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Twente-c39233.
Team News
The home side will be without http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arjen-Robben-c6521 is expected to be named in the starting line-up this time around whereas Luiz
Gustavo is also expected to make a comeback.
Die Knappen will be without first choice goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall as he suffered an injury in the league game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Timo-Hildebrand-c35115 will take his place in the first team. Apart from Unnerstall, the
visitors have no serious injury concerns for the match.
Players to watch
Mario Gomez
It will be a clash of the two joint top scorers in the league as Mario Gomez looks to take the lead at the top. The German international has already scored 18 times for his side this season and has been one of the few positives
for Bayern Munich after the winter break.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Klaas-Jan-Huntelaar-c21175
The Dutch international has been one of the most consistent players for Schalke this season. He has played a vital role in his side’s progress in Europe also, the most recent being a hat-trick against Viktoria Plzen in the second-leg
of the UEFA Europa League Round of 32.
Prediction
Bayern Munich have certainly lost the plot after the winter break and need a good result to get their season back on track whereas Schalke are in tremendous form after a series of impressive results recently.
The match is expected to end with a 1-1 score-line as the home side has been inconsistent over the past few games and it will be tough for either side to win the game.
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