Following a two-month lay-off, the Bundesliga returns this weekend, and there is a colossal local derby for us all to look forward to.
Borussia Dortmund welcome Schalke to Signal Iduna Park on Saturday afternoon for the latest instalment of the Revierderby, ushering in the return of top-level football in Europe.
Before the break in play, Dortmund had climbed to second in the table – four points behind league-leaders Bayern Munich and one point ahead of third-place RB Leipzig.
Lucien Favre’s side won seven of their eight games after the winter break, firing them back into contention for their first league title since 2011/12.
As things stand, Dortmund return with a record of W15-D6-L4, having scored 68 goals and conceded 33.
Meanwhile, Schalke slipped to sixth in the table following a dismal run of results after the winter break. The Royal Blues were flying high at the halfway point, but their top-four dreams are now all but over.
David Wagner’s side failed to win any of their seven games before the season was put on hold, and they’ve only managed once win since the turn of the year.
Sitting ten points behind fifth-place Bayer Leverkusen and 14 shy of Dortmund, Schalke come into this game with a record of W9-D10-L6 and a goal difference of –3.
Unusually, the two sides played out a goalless draw in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign. But the Revierderby is often a lively affair.
Schalke beat Dortmund 4-2 last season, while the two teams shared the spoils in an eight-goal thriller the year before.
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Borussia Dortmund have achieved a run of 5 straight home wins in all competitions
A goalless streak consisting of 4 away matches has marked the Bundesliga campaign of Schalke 04
Borussia Dortmund have been winning at half time their last 6 home matches in Bundesliga
In their last 10 games in Bundesliga, Schalke 04 have recorded only 1 wins
Schalke 04 have failed to score a goal in 5 of their last 7 Bundesliga games
Borussia Dortmund are on a good streak of 3 home Bundesliga matches where they have managed to keep a clean sheet
Dortmund have only beaten Schalke once in their previous five meetings, but Favre’s men are expected to add another victory to their tally this weekend.
The January arrival of teenage sensation Erling Haaland has undoubtedly enhanced the team. The Norwegian netted nine goals in eight appearances before the season was put on hold.
Furthermore, English winger Jadon Sancho was in red-hot form, with 14 goals and 16 assists in 23 league appearances.
Dortmund will be without Dan-Axel Zagadou as he continues to recover from a knee injury, while the fitness of midfield duo Emre Can and Axel Witsel remains unclear. However, Dortmund should still have enough firepower to get the job done.
As for Schalke, centre-back Ozan Kabak is yet to recover from a back injury, so he’ll miss out on this weekend’s Bundesliga return.
Dortmund were flying before the campaign was halted, while Schalke were on a woeful run. For that reason, a home win is on the cards here.
Forebet predicts that Dortmund will score over 1.5 goals on their way to victory. Given Schalke’s poor goalscoring record, a clean sheet is also looking likely for Favre’s men.
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