Bayern Munich vs FC Schalke 04

Bundesliga, Germany

FC Schalke will be facing an acid test in their bid for the top-4 when they make a visit to the Allianz Arena to face leaders Bayern Munich. With RB Leipzig on 38 points and sides in the race for top-4 also expected to win their respective games, a win has become a must for Schalke. However, given Bayern’s ruthless form, Schalke would be happy to return home from Munich even with a single point.

 

Match Details:

When: February 10th, 11:00 PM IST

Where: Allianz Arena, Munich

 

Bayern Munich Team News:

  • Jérôme Boateng is struggling with illness, meaning Niklas Süle could partner Mats Hummels at centre-back again.
  • Javi Martínez and Thiago are back in team training and the former could make his comeback in defensive midfield here.
  • Arturo Vidal could get a chance in central midfield, if Thomas Müller does not recover from a knock in time.

Form (Recent first): W W W W W W

Last Result: Bayern Munich 6-0 Paderborn (H), DFB Cup Quarter-Final

 

Probable XI and Subs:

Ulreich; Kimmich, Süle, Hummels, Alaba; Martinez, Vidal; Robben, James, Coman; Lewandowski

Subs: Starke, Bernat, Rafinha, Ribery,  and Wagner

 

Squad:

GK: Neuer, Ulreich, Starke, and Früchtl

Defenders: Hummels, Boateng, Süle, Götze, Alaba, Bernart, Kimmich, and Rafinha

Midfielders: Martínez, Rudy, Dorsch, Thiago, Toliso, Vidal, Rodríguez, and  Benko

Forwards: Coman, Ribéry, Robben, Müller, Lewandowski, and Wagner.

 

Key Players:

Lewandowski and James Rodriguez

 

FC Schalke 04 Team News:

 

  • Benjamin Stambouli should replace the suspended Matija Nastasic in the back-three.
  • Leon Goretzka, who will join Bayern Munich at the end of the season, competes with Nabil Bentaleb for a spot in central midfield.
  • Marko Pjaca offers a further options in attacking positions.

 

 

Form (Recent first): W L W D L W

Last Result: FC Schalke 1-0 Wolfsburg DFB Cup Quarter-final

 

Probable XI and Subs:

Fährmann; Kehrer, Naldo, Stambouli ; Caligiuri, Meyer, Goretzka, Oczipka;  Pjaca, Burgstaller, Harit

Subs: Embolo, Teuchert, Caligiuri, Stambouli, and Konoplyanka

 

Squad:

GK: Fährmann, Nübel, and Langer

Defenders: Nastasic, Kehrer, Stambouli, Insua, Naldo, Baba, Oczipka, and Riether

Midfielders: Goretzka, Bentaleb, Max Meyer, McKennie, Caligiuri, Schöpf, and Harit

Forwards: Pjaca, Konoplyanka, Tekpetey, Embolo, Burgstaller, Di Santo, and Teuchert

Key Players: Goretzka and Burgstaller

 

Match Prediction:

While Bayern will be having one eye on their Champions League fixture later next week, Schalke will be desperate to get a draw at least and stay in the top-4 race. A draw for Schalke might look on the cards some other day, but given Bayern’s ruthless form, a defeat for Schalke is all what seems to be the likely outcome. Our final prediction calls for a 2-1 win for Bayern Munich.

 

SCH vs BAY Fantasy Team: