Schalke 04 vs. Hertha BSC preview: A relegation six-pointer
The two sides that currently occupy the automatic relegation places will face off on Friday when Schalke 04 play host to Hertha BSC.
Schalke 04
After embarking on an eight-game unbeaten run that was made up of two wins and six draws, Schalke look to be on an upward trajectory. However, their impressive run of form was ended by a heavy 3-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen at the start of April, and Schalke were unable to muster a response when they faced Hoffenheim last weekend.
An Alex Král own goal and an Ihlas Bebou spot-kick ensured Schalke's away meeting with Hoffenheim ended in a disappointing 2-0 defeat. The result leaves Die Königsblauen bottom of the Bundesliga table ahead of Friday's encounter, with two points separating them from the relegation playoff spot and five points adrift of safety altogether.
With 21 goals to their name after 27 games, Schalke are the lowest scorers in the top flight. Thomas Reis will know that his side need to improve in front of goal to stay up, and he will also be aware that their final three home games will be crucial to their efforts.
Having picked up just 13 points from their 14 league games at the Veltins-Arena this season, Schalke currently have the worst home record in the Bundesliga, but they still have time to change that record in home fixtures against Hertha, Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Team News
Moritz Jenz has missed Schalke's last two matches, but Reis has stated that the defender is fit for Friday's fixture.
As for Soichiro Kozuki, he is still sidelined with an ankle issue, while long-term absentees Sebastian Polter and Justin Heekeren are also ruled out.
Hertha BSC
Since beating Augsburg 2-0 on February 25, Hertha have endured a five-game winless run in the Bundesliga, consisting of two draws and three defeats. Their most recent loss took place against RB Leipzig last weekend when a first-half effort from Amadou Haidara proved to be the winning goal.
The 1-0 defeat ended Hertha's three-game unbeaten home run in the Bundesliga and leaves them one point adrift of Stuttgart, who occupy the relegation playoff position.
With four of their final seven games taking place away from home, Sandro Schwarz will need to find a resolution for his side's struggles on their travels. With their 13 away league matches yielding just one victory and five points, Hertha head into Friday's contest with the worst away record in the division.
They may be able to take some comfort from the fact that they ended a run of eight consecutive Bundesliga away defeats with a 1-1 draw against Freiburg on their most recent road trip.
Hertha have tended to fare well in recent games against Schalke, having won the last three meetings between the two sides, including a 2-1 victory when the two sides met in October.
Team News
The visitors are expected to be without the services of Jean-Paul Boëtius, Chidera Ejuke and Kelian Nsona.