Bongarts
| PROBABLE LINE-UPS |
| Schalke (4-2-3-1): Fahrmann; Uchida, Howedes, Matip, Fuchs; Papadopoulos, Holtby; Farfan, Raul, Marica; Huntelaar |
Ralf Rangnick is set to name an unchanged side from the team that kicked off their Europa Leage campaign with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Steaua Bucharest. Despite picking up an injury last weekend against Wolfsburg, Ralf Fahrmann started the midweek game and should be fine to keep his place.
| Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Rafinha, Badstuber, Boateng, Lahm; Schweinsteiger, Diaz; Muller, Kroos, Ribery, Petersen |
Jupp Heynckes will have to cope with the loss of in-form striker Mario Gomez after the Germany international limped out of his side's 2-0 midweek victory over Villarreal. Nils Petersen is set to fill in for the former Stuttgart-man. Meanwhile, Arjen Robben is still struggling with a bone inflammation but should start.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Schalke beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in the corresponding fixture last season.
- Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has scored 12 goals already this season - only one fewer than his total for all of last season.
- Schalke skipper Benedikt Howedes is the youngest captain in the Bundesliga.
- Bayern Munich have scored 16 goals this season - more than half the number Eintracht Frankfurk scored last campaign.
- The Bavarian side were victorious here in 2009-10 thanks to Frank Ribery and Thomas Muller scoring goals within a minute of each other.
- Mario Gomez' four-goal haul last Saturday ensured that the Germany striker's goal tally has reached double figures for the sixth successive season.
Given both of these sides' impressive starts to the Bundesliga capaign and their in-form front-lines, I'd expect a score draw. Although Munich have have had the marginally better start, they'll find it hard in a loud and passionate Veltins-Arena.
Editor's Prediction
Schalke 04 2-2 Bayern Munich 
