The Miners will take on French champions for the first time at their home ground as they look to make a giant leap towards qualifying to the knock-out round of the UEFA Champions League.
Huub Stevens’ side won their opening UEFA Champions League game 2-1 against Olympiakos in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Greece-c2908 and will be in pole position to qualify for the next round if they beat the Ligue 1 winners. On the other hand, Montpellier lost their
debut match of Europe’s Premier cup competition 2-1 against English Premier League club http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Schalke-04-c39204
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 3-0
at their home ground. They will entertain the French side on Wednesday, October 3, at the Veltins Arena.
Die Konigsblauen came third in the German domestic last season and are favourites to finish among the top four again this term. They are currently fourth in the league table and drew their away game with Fortuna Dusseldorf over
the weekend, with goals coming from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Klaas-Jan-Huntelaar-c21175 and Joel Matip.
The German club will be hoping to improve on their success of 2011 when they reached the semi-finals of the competition, as they have world class players such as Huntelaar and his international team-mate http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ibrahim-Afellay-c16547. The Dutch
winger signed for the Bundesliga outfit on a season-long loan from Spanish giants http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 in the summers.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Montpellier-HSC-c39945
Rene Girard’s team will be hoping to get something out of their trip to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904 after their disappointing defeat from Arsenal. The young side was very impressive last season in their domestic league but have failed to regain their
top form this season and have managed only a single win out of their first four games in the Ligue 1.
The French club have struggled in their defensive displays as they travel to Gelsenkirchen. Montpellier missed a handful of open chances in their loss against the Gunners and deserved more out of the first round clash at the Stade
de la Mosson. The European stage is proving to be a step up for them and they will try to get a good result against Schalke.
Teams News
Huub Stevens has a few selection problems as Jefferson Farfan is not fit to start. Matip will retain his place in defence after scoring against Dusseldorf, even though http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lewis-Holtby-c22175 and
Julian Draxler will feature behind Huntelaar who will be deployed in a lone-striking role.
Moreover, Girard will have a few injury concerns with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Henri-Bedimo-c16040 to miss the important clash. Skipper Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa will be utilised as full-back for the French team.
Players to watch
Huntelaar is the most exciting prospect in the Bundesliga outfit and was the league’s top scorer last term. He has started the season well and has scored four goals already in seven games in all competitions.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Souleymane-Camara-c33845 will be a threat for Schalke and will need to be contained in order for the Royal Blues to register a second win.
Prediction
A home win is expected at the Veltins Arena as Schalke have a stronger squad than the French club. Bettor.com predicts a 2-1 victory for the Miners.
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