Schalke vs Bayer Leverkusen preview

March 20, 2015
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Bayer Leverkusen vs SchalkeA classic top 4 six-pointer will see fifth-placed Schalke host high-flying Bayer Leverkusen at their Veltins Arena hoping to revive their Champions League hopes.

Die Werkself hold a three-point advantage over their next opponents and can now make a giant step towards Champions League qualification.

Schalke always find it hard to successfully balance between their domestic and European campaigns, and that is one of the main reasons why their recent results have been far from impressive.

Nevertheless, the Miners came incredibly close to eliminating Champions League holders Real Madrid despite losing the first leg at home 2-0, but the 4-3 triumph at the Bernabeu did not prove sufficient in the end.

Schalke were not at their best in last week’s Bundesliga fixture against Hertha, but they did well to twice come from behind and earn one point.

Roberto Di Matteo’s charges now need to beat Bayer Leverkusen in order to improve their Champions League hopes, with home win paying 3.15 (43/20).

First choice keeper Ralf Fahrmann is not yet ready to play, while Eric Choupo-Moting will again have to settle for a place on the bench.

Benedikt Howedes is banned, while Fabian Giefer, Jan Kirchhoff, Julian Draxler, Jefferson Farfan, Chinedu Obasi and Sidney Sam are out injured.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Wellenreuther – Ayhan, Matip, Nastasic – Uchida, Hoger, Neustadter, Meyer, Fuchs – Huntelaar, Sane.

Unlike their next opponents, Bayer Leverkusen usually have no problems keeping their Bundesliga results respectable even during the Champions League campaign, and the team have done pretty well of late.

After defeating last year’s finalists Atletico Madrid in the first leg, die Werkself were eventually eliminated on penalties, but at least they can now fully focus on the league championship.

Bayer Leverkusen have been quite impressive on the domestic stage of late, winning last three league fixtures, and they are 2.38 (11/8) to make it four on the bounce.

It remains to be seen whether the difficult game at Vicente Calderon will take its toll on the players, as boss Roger Schmidt doesn’t exactly have a big squad to choose from.

Star midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu could be handed a much needed rest, with Gonzalo Castro taking his place just behind the striker.

Tin Jedvaj and Robbie Kruse remain on the sidelines, whereas Stefan Kiessling could come in for Josip Drmic in attack.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Leno – Hilbert, Spahic, Toprak, Wendell – Bender, Rolfes – Bellarabi, Castro, Son – Kiessling.

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