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Schalke 04 vs Borussia Dortmund: preview, key players, team news, prediction

By Brian Szlenk Straub

DORTMUND, GERMANY - DECEMBER 01: Marco Reus of Dortmund celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mates during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Sport-Club Freiburg at Signal Iduna Park on December 01, 2018 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - DECEMBER 01: Marco Reus of Dortmund celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mates during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Sport-Club Freiburg at Signal Iduna Park on December 01, 2018 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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The first half of the 18/19 Bundesliga season is almost over, and Borussia Dortmund sit 9 points above Bayern Munich and 7 points above Borussia Monchengladbach in second place. This weekend will give Die Schwarzgelben a chance to maintain this lead over the chasing pack as they will travel to the Veltins Arena for the latest edition of the Revierderby against Schalke 04.

Encounters between these two sides often mean everything to both sets of fans, but this derby is sure to mean even more as Dortmund will look to maintain their advantage over their rivals, while Schalke will be looking to steady a season that has seen them find themselves at the bottom half of the table. Let’s take a look at some of the key indicators that will decide who will walk away with three points from this match.

DORTMUND, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 25: Goalkeeper Ralf Faehrmann of Schalke and Nuri Sahin of Dortmund fight after the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 at Signal Iduna Park on November 25, 2017 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 25: Goalkeeper Ralf Faehrmann of Schalke and Nuri Sahin of Dortmund fight after the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 at Signal Iduna Park on November 25, 2017 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images) /

Form

Borussia Dortmund’s form this season has been stellar. As of the current season, they are the only team that is still undefeated in the Bundesliga with 10 wins and 3 draws to their name, having scored 37 goals and only allowed 13. This is only bettered by RB Leipzig’s record of 10 goals allowed, four of which were put in the net by Borussia Dortmund on the first day, which is telling, to say the least.

Despite this stellar start, Dortmund has seen momentary lapses hand hiccups that show that Lucien Favre still has work to do with his side. BVB’s two DFB Pokal matches against Greuther Fürth and Union Berlin are prime examples of this. Both these games went to extra time, with the team’s front line either lacking the creativity to score or simply wasting chances. This wastefulness was also a facet in the 2-2 draw against Hertha Berlin. Having missed many chances to make it 3 or 4 goals in the second half, Borussia Dortmund allowed a late equalizer in stoppage time, and Hertha went home with a point. In the grand scheme of things this has not hindered BVB too much considering their position in the league, but certain games have shown that there is still a lack of clinical finishing that needs to be addressed.

In tandem with this, there have also been games where Dortmund found their way back into the games and won, most notably in the 4-3 win against Augsburg, and the 4-2 win against Leverkusen. Both of these games are examples of what this Dortmund team has been missing, a grit and determination to grind out a result, something Bayern had been so good at over the last few years they have dominated the league. This grit and determination has become a key facet of this side. They are getting results in games they would have lost in subsequent years, and these points will be crucial if they wish to be crowned Champions come May.

Schalke 04 on the other hand, have had a tumultuous season so far. Last year’s runner ups currently sit in 12th place, with 14 points to their name. Schalke have only won 4 of their Bundesliga games this season, having lost 7 and drawn 2 of the remaining fixtures they have played. Their most recent form is erratic as well. A 5-2 win at home against Nürnburg was followed by a 3-1 loss to Porto in the Champions league, and then a 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim. This run of results leads me to believe that their current form is unstable as ever.

Schalke’s main problem seems to be their attack. The defense has allowed only 18 goals which, to be fair, isn’t terrible for this season considering it is the same amount Bayern Munich has let in, and they are in 4th. The Royal Blues have only managed to score 14, which is one of the lowest tallies in the league. Their top scorers are Nabil Bentaleb and Breel Embolo with 2 goals apiece.

A lack of creativity and efficiency has stifled Schalke, but this is certainly not something Dortmund fans should consider as an indicator of an easy win. Schalke’s last two home games have been emphatic wins, with a 3-1 win over Hannover and the aforementioned 5-2 win over Nürnburg the evidence of this. As a team that has been trying to steady the ship Schalke will certainly come looking to do damage, especially at home. Our defense will have to be on top form.

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