Title-chasing Bayern Munich will be eager to avoid a potential banana skin when a revitalised Schalke 04 outfit visit the Allianz Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Fighting for their lives at the bottom end of the Bundesliga table, Schalke are bidding for a third victory on the spin, while Bayern remain one point clear of Borussia Dortmund at the summit.
Match preview
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It would not be unfair to say that Thomas Tuchel has experienced an indifferent start to his reign as Bayern Munich manager, as the new boss has overseen four wins, two draws and three losses since replacing Julian Nagelsmann in the Allianz Arena hot seat.
Still, the Bavarians find themselves in a familiar position with three matches remaining, with the perennial Bundesliga champions in pole position to clinch an 11th successive title and continue their hegemony over German football.
After suffering a shock 3-1 defeat to Tuchel's former club Mainz 05, Bayern bounced back with a routine 2-0 victory over Hertha Berlin before defeating Werder Bremen 2-1 last time out, courtesy of second-half goals from Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane.
Despite all the change at the club in recent times, Bayern have remained consistent on home soil, winning 10 and drawing five of their 15 Bundesliga home games to stay unbeaten at the Allianz Arena this season.
Having won five of their previous six home league matches – scoring 18 goals in the process – Bayern Munich will be confident of dispatching relegation-threatened Schalke and strengthening their bid for yet another Bundesliga crown.
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Schalke 04 have spent the majority of the campaign in the relegation zone and were rooted to the foot of the table between October and February, but a recent upturn has seen them escape the bottom three for the first time in seven months.
Following a run of 11 defeats in 12 matches, Schalke enjoyed an eight-game unbeaten streak between January and March, securing vital victories over relegation rivals Stuttgart and VfL Bochum along the way.
The Royal Blues were brought back down to earth when they suffered heavy defeats to Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim, but they swiftly returned to winning ways with an emphatic 5-2 thrashing of Hertha Berlin.
Thanks to recent victories over Werder Bremen and Mainz, Schalke head into Saturday's clash on a run of three wins in four matches, having managed to pick up just four victories across their first 27 Bundesliga this season.
Of course, Thomas Reis's side still have a long way to go, but they will be hopeful of avoiding relegation after taking nine points from their previous four outings to create daylight between them and the bottom three.
Team News
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Josip Stanisic has joined Bayern Munich's lengthy injury list, which features key players such as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano and Paul Wanner.
The Bavarians will also be without Lucas Hernandez and Manuel Neuer for the remainder of the campaign, meaning that goalkeeper Yann Sommer will continue to deputise for Neuer.
Serge Gnabry is expected to lead the line once again, with Sadio Mane, Jamal Musiala and Kingsley Coman offering attacking support.
With Joao Cancelo and Noussair Mazraoui occupying the full-back spots, Benjamin Pavard is likely to partner Matthijs de Ligt at centre-back, while the ever-reliable Joshua Kimmich will continue in midfield.
Schalke also have multiple injury absentees, with Eder Balanta, Ralf Fahrmann, Justin Keekeren, Moritz Jenz and Soichiro Kozuki all currently sidelined.
Thomas Reis may name an unchanged starting XI as he aims to extend his team's hot streak, meaning that Simon Terodde will continue to lead the line.
Having bagged a brace last time out, Marius Bulter will be joined by Rodrigo Zalazar and Kenan Karaman behind the lone striker, while Liverpool loanee Sepp van den Berg will partner Marcin Kaminski at centre-back.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Mazraoui, Pavard, De Ligt, Cancelo; Gravenberch, Kimmich; Coman, Musiala, Mane; Gnabry
Schalke 04 possible starting lineup:
Schwolow; Brunner, Van den Berg, Kaminski, Matriciani; Krauss, Kral; Karaman, Zalazar, Bulter; Terodde
We say: Bayern Munich 3-1 Schalke 04
Although Schalke have made vast improvements in recent weeks, we expect Bayern Munich to flex their muscles and take another step towards sealing an 11th Bundesliga title in as many years.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
