2. Bundesliga Preview: FC Schalke 04 vs. Hannover 96
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2. Bundesliga leaders Schalke face a stern test at home against Hannover on Sunday afternoon. The visitors are only five points behind their hosts, despite their unbeaten run coming to an end against a resurgent Greuther Fürth side last week.
Courtesy of Edin Džeko’s solitary strike, Schalke narrowly beat Arminia Bielefeld to stay at the summit. Miron Muslić’s side will also benefit from Darmstadt and Elversberg dropping points on Friday.
Similarly, those results would open the room for Hannover to close the gap with the top three. Including this fixture, Christian Titz’s side will face all the top four teams in the next five matchweeks.
Moussa Sylla, who is now losing his starting spot due to several reasons, was the star player in the return fixture. The Schalke striker scored twice inside the first 15 minutes before Christian Gomis’ late goal ensured a 3-0 success away at Hannover.
Team News
Loris Karius is expected to return to Schalke’s side after recovering from back problems. Bayern Munich loanee Noel Aseko will also be back from suspension for Hannover.
Predicted Lineups
Schalke: Karius; Becker, Katic, Kurucay, Ndiaye; El-Faouzi, Schallenberg; Ljubicic, Karaman ©, Aouchiche; Dzeko
Hannover: Noll; Allgeier, Nawrocki, Ghita; Leopold © Neubauer, Oudenne; Yokota, Aseko, Saad; Källman
