Hoffenheim vs. Schalke 04 preview: A huge relegation battle
Schalke travel to Hoffenheim for a massive contest on Matchday 27 between two sides fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table.
| Photo: TSG Hoffenheim |
Hoffenheim
Pellegrino Matarazzo was a game away from losing his job a few weeks ago, but he’s still standing with two straight victories on his shoulders. Hoffenheim now sit 15th in the table and securing three more points against a table rival would provide further relegation relief.
Andrej Kramaric and Christoph Baumgartner will be the focal points up front again on Sunday, with Baumgartner playing in a fairly new advanced role up front. Die Kraichgauer’s depth should be replenished on Matchday 27 as several key players have decent chances of returning to the fold.
Matarazzo stated, "Every win is an important step, every sense of achievement is food for our system. The lads gain confidence through this and I have sensed an extreme energy on the pitch this week."
Team News
Robert Skov is questionable, while Stanley Nsoki is doubtful with a knock. Kasper Dolberg, Justin Che, Grischa Prömel and Kevin Akpoguma could be squad options again unless they suffer further setbacks.
Jacob Bruun Larsen remains out with a long-term injury and Munas Dabbur is a couple weeks away from returning due to his lengthy red-card suspension.
Schalke 04
The Royal Blues are coming off a disappointing 3-0 loss to Leverkusen last weekend, but they are still within reaching distance of the relegation playoff spot. Something most onlookers would have never believed possible just a couple months ago.
Moritz Jenz will likely return to the starting lineup alongside Maya Yoshida, and Marius Bülter will be Schalke’s creative outlet offensively. In other news this week, legendary 2. Bundesliga striker Simon Terodde announced he’ll be leaving the club following the campaign, however his role has been significantly reduced in the Rückrunde.
When asked about recent support for the team, Thomas Reis said, "I've experienced a lot already during my time at Schalke, but this is next level. The support from the fans is incredible. I get goosebumps thinking about how many fans will be at the ground on Sunday."
Team News
Jenz will be back in the side on Sunday and Reis hinted in his press conference that some other players on Schalke’s injury list could also return.
That list includes the likes of Sebastian Polter, Tim Skarke, Thomas Ouwejan, Jere Uronen, Sepp van den Berg, Soichiro Kozuki and Justin Heekeren.