2. Bundesliga preview: SV Elversberg vs. FC Schalke 04

2. Bundesliga preview: SV Elversberg vs. FC Schalke 04

At this decisive stage of the season, fixtures hardly come bigger in the 2. Bundesliga. League leaders Schalke travel to third-placed Elversberg with just three points separating the sides, as the promotion race enters its final stretch with only six games remaining.

Elversberg have been one of the stories of the campaign under Vincent Wagner. Still fuelled by the disappointment of last season’s playoff defeat to Heidenheim, SVE are firmly on course to go one better this time around. Their recent form underlines that ambition, with just one defeat in their last eight outings, and they will be determined to reassert themselves in the top three on Sunday.

Their 1-1 draw away to Hannover last time out was another demonstration of their resilience. After falling behind to a Maximilian Rohr own goal before the break, Elversberg responded strongly in the second half, with Lukas Petkov levelling to secure a valuable point in a direct promotion battle.

“It’s a special game, a tough one, and we’re really looking forward to it,” said head coach Vincent Wagner. “I expect a team that knows all the tricks – an incredibly clever opponent.”

Schalke, meanwhile, have impressed in Miron Muslić’s first season at the helm. The Royal Blues have established themselves as consistent top-three contenders and arrive unbeaten in their last eight matches, determined to defend their place at the summit.

They returned to winning ways in their most recent outing, edging Karlsruher SC in a controlled if unspectacular performance. With Edin Džeko absent, Schalke lacked some cutting edge in attack, but captain Kenan Karaman proved decisive, netting the winner in the 72nd minute to ease tensions at the Veltins-Arena.

Muslić is confident his side can rise to the occasion:

“Elversberg are enjoying a fantastic campaign, but this is exactly the type of challenge we relish. We’ve delivered strong results against top-six opposition in recent months.”

Schalke edged the reverse fixture in November, winning 1-0 thanks to an early Hasan Kuruçay strike. They also enjoyed success on their last visit to Elversberg, recording a convincing 4-1 victory on matchday 17 of last season.

Elversberg, however, have turned their home ground into a fortress. They have lost just one of their last 13 league matches at the URSAPHARM-Arena, underlining the scale of the task facing Schalke. Notably, SVE are still searching for their first home win against the Royal Blues.

Team news

SV Elversberg: Bambase Conté remains sidelined, while Immanuel Pherai faces a late fitness test.

FC Schalke 04: Schalke will be without suspended duo Mertcan Ayhan and Kenan Karaman. Emil Højlund, Tomáš Kalas, Nikola Katić, Finn Porath and Henning Matriciani are all ruled out through injury.

Predicted lineups

SV Elversberg (4-2-3-1): Kristof (GK) - Gyamerah, Pinckert, Rohr, Günther - Condé, Poreba - Petkov, Pherai, Zimmerschied - Schnellbacher 

FC Schalke 04 (4-2-3-1): Karius (GK) - Gantenbein, T. Becker, Kuruçay, N’Diaye - El-Faouzi, Schallenberg - Gomis, Ljubicic, Aouchiche - Sylla