Schalke will be chasing their fifth successive victory when they host reigning champions Bayern Munich, who seem to have finally raised their form following a slow start to the season.

Four games into the new season and it already looked as though the Miners fans would be in for a huge disappointment this term.

While picking up just one point from first three Bundesliga fixtures, Schalke could only muster a 1-1 draw against PAOK in the first leg of the Champions League play-offs, but the return leg in Greece changed everything.

The Miners showed a lot of improvement to run out 3-2 winners, thus securing their place in Champions League group stages, while they received another major boost as club chiefs managed to sign Kevin-Prince Boateng from AC Milan.

Even with a number of first team regulars on the sidelines, the Miners continued the rich vein of form by beating Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz, while 3-0 European victory over Steaua further improved the atmosphere in the team.

Given team’s recent performances, there may be some value in backing Schalke not to lose against Bayern, at odds of 2.60 (8/5), available at bet365.

Jermaine Jones is likely to be recalled, but Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Anthony Annan, Chinedu Obasi, Sead Kolasinac and Tom Hoogland remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Hildebrand – Uchida, Howedes, Matip, Aogo – Neustadter, Jones – Farfan, Boateng, Draxler – Szalai.

Taking over the reigns at Alianz Arena was always going to be a difficult task for Pep Guardiola, especially after the Bavarians won a treble of major titles last term.

And even if Bayern were winning their matches in the opening exchanges, it was painfully evident that they are far from reaching their full potential.

However, it appears that 1-1 draw against Freiburg served as a wake-up call for the Bavarians, who then went on to win the European Super Cup before defeating Hannover in the league and CSKA Moscow at the start of their Champions League campaign.

Even so, after playing last two matches at home, Pep Guardiola’s men are likely to face a much tougher task at Veltins Arena, although they are just 1.57 (4/7) with Sportingbet to continue the winning run.

It remains to be seen whether the boss will be rotating his players in this match, although the Cup game against Hannover might be a better opportunity for squad rotation.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is unlikely to start as he is lacking match fitness, whereas Holger Badstuber, Javi Martinez, Thiago Alcantara and Mario Gotze all miss out through injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-1-4-1): Neuer – Rafinha, Boateng, Dante, Alaba – Lahm – Robben, Muller, Kroos, Ribery – Mandzukic.

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