Schalke 04 vs Eintracht Frankfurt preview: Hosts looking to escape the bottom three
Schalke 04 will attempt to move out of the bottom three when they play host to Eintracht Frankfurt in the penultimate game of the Bundesliga season.
| Photo: FC Schalke 04 |
Schalke 04
Schalke dropped into the relegation playoff spot last weekend after they were thrashed 6-0 by Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. The heavy defeat leaves Schalke just a point clear of the automatic relegation places, while they are also a point adrift from safety.
Although die Königsblauen have won three of their last five matches, Thomas Reis will be concerned by the fact that his side have conceded 15 goals in that period. In fact, Schalke have struggled defensively throughout the season, shipping 65 goals in 32 league games - only Hertha BSC and Bochum have conceded more.
With Schalke desperate to secure a positive result on Saturday, they can draw inspiration from the fact that they have lost just one of their previous seven home matches, while their last two games at Veltins-Arena have produced victories.
Team News
Moritz Jenz has missed the last three matches, but Reis has confirmed that the defender is available for selection. However, the Schalke boss is unable to call upon Jere Uronen, Soichiro Kozuki and Justin Heekeren due to injury issues.
The hosts will also be without the services of their top scorer Marius Bülter, who is suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards.
Eintracht Frankfurt
After enduring a 10-game winless run in the Bundesliga, Frankfurt managed to return to winning ways in their home meeting with Mainz 05 last weekend. Daichi Kamada, Aurélio Buta and Randal Kolo Muani all found the net to guide die Adler to a 3-0 victory that keeps them in the hunt for a top-six spot.
Frankfurt will go into the final two games of the season in eighth position with three points separating them from sixth-placed Wolfsburg.
Although Oliver Glasner’s side would have buoyed by their win over Mainz, their recent away form suggests that picking up another victory this weekend may prove difficult. Since beating Augsburg 2-1 in November, Frankfurt have failed to win in 10 consecutive away league matches, with their last four Bundesliga away trips all ending in defeat.
Team News
Knee injuries will prevent Lucas Alario and Hrvoje Smolcic from featuring, while Kristijan Jakic and Philipp Max are also sidelined with injury issues.
