Bayern Munich will look to maintain their grip on the top of the Bundesliga table when they face Schalke 04 at the Veltins Arena this Saturday.
Venue: Veltins Arena (Gelsenkirchen)
Key Statistics
Schalke 04 have conceded ten goals combined from the three home matches they’ve played against sides starting this round in the top half this term (D1, L2).
The hosts have lost seven of their last eight games (W1).
They have scored the joint-least goals in the league this season (13).
They have conceded the second-most goals in the league (30).
Bayern Munich have scored the most goals in the league this season (47).
The hosts have conceded the fewest goals in the league this season (13).
They have won their last nine games in competitions.
Bayern are unbeaten in their last 12 competitive games (W11, D1).
Head to head
Schalke are winless in their last 21 matches against Bayern, taking only three draws in that period. The hosts have conceded 20 goals and scored zero in their last four encounters with Bayern.
Latest performances in all competitions
Schalke: W-L-L-L-L
Bayern: W-W-W-W-W
Schalke 04
Schalke 04 remain rooted to the bottom of the Bundesliga table after picking up just nine points out of a possible 42 after 14 rounds of Bundesliga football.
The recent appointment of Thomas Reis has not brought the desired effect as the new coach has steered his side to just one victory in three games since his appointment.
That victory came in the last game against Mainz which Schalke 04 won 1-0 courtesy of a goal by Simone Torrode. That win ended a run of seven consecutive defeats for the hosts and manager Reis will be hoping that his boys can build on that win as they look to climb out of the relegation zone.
However, with this being the last round of football before the league is halted for the World Cup, the German will be keen to see his side finish strong. But going up against a formidable Bayern Munich side will be a huge test for Thomas Reis and his boys.
Schalke 04 have suffered heavy defeats in the hands of the league leaders, with the last two meetings yielding 12 goals for the Bavarians. Die Knappen will have to do better than in their previous five encounters with the champions, as they have all ended in defeat.
Possible Schalke 04 starting line-up
Alexander Schwolow; Cedric Brunner, Henning Matriciani, Maya Yoshida, Tobias Mohr Alex Kral, Tom Krauß; Kenan Karaman, Dominick Drexler, Marius Bülter; Jordan Larsson.
Injured: Simon Terodde, Thomas Ouwejan, Leo Greimi, Rodrigo Zalazar, Sepp van den Berg, Ibrahima Cisse, Marcin Kaminski
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich will be gunning for their tenth straight win in all competitions when they travel to Gelsenkirchen on Saturday.
After playing catch-up to Union Berlin in the title race earlier this season, the hosts have returned to the summit of the Bundesliga table. They opened up a four-point gap on Urs Fischer’s team, with a dominant 6-1 win over Werder Bremen last weekend.
In an exciting game at the Allianz Arena, both teams traded goals inside ten minutes as Anthony Jung cancelled out a Jamal Musiala opener for the Bavarians. The score will not remain the same for long as Serge Gnabry restored the lead in the 22nd minute, with his first of his game. The German attacker scored two more, with Leon Goretzka and Mathys Tel also on target to complete the rout.
Julian Nagelsmann will now prepare his side for their final pre-World Cup game, and the German coach will be keen to see his side pick up all three points and remain in firm contention to win their eleventh-straight Bundesliga title.
Possible Bayern Munich starting line-up
Manuel Neuer; Noussair Mazraoui, Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernandez; Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka; Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane; Eric Choupo-Moting.
Injured: Sadio Mane, Alphonso Davies, Josip Stanisic, Thomas Muller, Bouna Sarr
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Schalke 1-3 Bayern Munich
