Schalke will look to edge closer to wrapping up a second-place finish on Saturday (kick-off 03:30 PM CEST/ 01:30 PM GMT/ 09:30 AM EST) when they host a Borusia Mönchengladbach side that still have hopes of qualifying for Europe.
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Schalke coughed up a two-goal lead in a draw with bottom club Cologne last weekend, and striker Breel Embolo picked up a muscle injury in that game that could mean he misses the rest of the season. Topscorer Guido Burgstaller should replace the Swiss international, but outgoing midfielder Max Meyer also had to sit out training on Wednesday. If he fails to recover, that should mean that USA international Weston McKennie retains his place in the side.
Following a poor recent run, Gladbach recorded a second win in three matches when they swept past Wolfsburg 3-0 last time out. Both victories came at home, however, and the Foals have picked up just four points from their last nine away games. With almost a full squad to choose from and Raffael back amongst the goals, they are likely to go with the same starting XI.
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Probable line-ups
Schalke: Fährmann (c) â Stambouli, Nalado, Kehrer â Caligiuri, Goretzka, McKennie, Oczipka â Harit â Burgstaller, Di Santo
Absentees: Nastasic (knee), Embolo (thigh)
Coach: Domenico Tedesco
Gladbach: Sommer â Elvedi, Ginter, Vestergaard, Wendt â Hofmann, Kramer, Zakaria, Hazard â Stindl (c), Raffael
Absentees: Doucoure (thigh), Herrmann (ankle), Villalba (thigh)
Coach: Dieter Hecking
Match stats
Source: bundesliga.com