Schalke 04 will be keen to put their Champions League exit behind them when they travel to Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga this weekend.

Roberto di Matteo's side claimed a rare win at the Bernabeu on Tuesday, beating Real Madrid 4-3, but their first-leg defeat saw them eliminated 5-4 on aggregate.

The side currently sit just outside the top four, but are just a point behind Bayer Leverkusen, who currently occupy the final qualification spot for next season's Champions League.

Schalke have struggled for consistency in recent weeks in the German league, with two wins, two defeats and a draw in their last five outings, including a 3-1 win over Hoffenheim last time out.

The team have reported no new injuries following their trip to Spain earlier this week, but will still be without a number of long-term absentees, including Jan Kirchhoff, Ralf Fahrmann and Julian Draxler.

Meanwhile, Hertha Berlin need to get some points on the board to move them away from the relegation zone.

Pal Dardai's side are just two points above the relegation playoff spot, and just one more clear of the bottom two heading into Saturday's match at the Olympic Stadium.

Hertha's form does appear to be on the upturn though, with a win over Augsburg last month followed up with a goalless draw with fellow strugglers Stuttgart last weekend, despite them finishing with 10 men.

Per Skjelbred and Peter Niemeyer will both be available in midfield again after being suspended from last weekend's match, but Nico Schulz will miss out after being sent off against Stuttgart.

Hertha face a crucial month, with matches against two of the sides below them in the table coming up after this clash.

Schalke's last three meetings with Hertha in the Bundesliga have resulted in 2-0 wins.

Hertha Berlin:

Form in Bundesliga: LWLLWD
Form in all competitions: LWLLWD

Possible starting lineup: Kraft, Pekarik, Langkamp, Plattenhardy, Sklejbred, Heitinga, Hegeler, Niemeyer, Beerens, Lustenberger, Kalou

Schalke 04:

Form in Bundesliga: DWLDLW
Form in all competitions: LLDLWW

Possible starting lineup: Wellenreuther, Howedes, Ayhan, Nastasic, Meyer, Hoger, Fuchs, Barnetta, Neustafter, Choupo-Moting, Huntelaar

Sports Mole says: 0-2

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