Schalke 04 vs Borussia Dortmund: Bundesliga Preview and Team News
By Tushar Bahl
Having overcome the challenge of Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday, Borussia Dortmund go up against local rivals Schalke 04 this weekend. More than just bragging rights will be at stake on Saturday, with both sides currently in precarious positions in the Bundesliga table and desperately in need of a win.
Recent Form
Schalke 04
DLLDL
Schalke’s season so far makes for a very grim reading. The Royal Blues have won just one game in the Bundesliga so far this season, and are staring at the very real prospect of relegation. They are rooted to the bottom of the table and find themselves nine points behind 16th placed Arminia Bielefeld, despite having played a game more. Their chances of staying up come the end of the season appear to be very slim.
But a win against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday would be exactly the kind of result that could turn their season around. So they will no doubt be up for the challenge as they look for their first derby win in four attempts.
Borussia Dortmund
WDLWW
Borussia Dortmund go into the derby with confidence on their side, having earned a surprise 3-2 win away to Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday. Their recent Bundesliga record does not make for pretty reading though, with only one win in their last six games. Edin Terzic’s side could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to Hoffenheim last weekend, and they will be desperate for a win this weekend as they look to close in on the top four.
Dortmund go into the weekend as heavy favourites, but they simply cannot afford to take their Ruhr rivals lightly.