Preview: Fortuna Dusseldorf vs. Schalke 04 - prediction, team news, lineups

Two sides struggling for wins in the Bundesliga will meet on Wednesday as Fortuna Dusseldorf play host to Schalke 04 at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.

Dusseldorf drew their fourth game in succession against FC Koln last time out, while Schalke suffered a dismal 3-0 home defeat to Augsburg at the weekend.

Match preview

Even though Dusseldorf are the only Bundesliga club outside of the top four without a defeat in their last five fixtures, Uwe Rosler's side are still at real risk of a return to Germany's second division should results not improve.

Dusseldorf are enjoying their second consecutive season in the German top flight since taking the 2017-18 2. Bundesliga title, but they currently find themselves in the relegation play-off spot after 27 games.

The 16th-placed side looked to be on course to record their first victory since February against Koln on Sunday, but the home side staged a late comeback to salvage a 2-2 draw and leave Rosler frustrated.

Dusseldorf's fourth draw on the bounce leaves them on 24 points at this stage of the campaign, and Rosler will be determined to see his team pick up their first three points on home soil since December against a depleted Schalke side.

Nevertheless, Dusseldorf are within touching distance of Mainz 05 following their 5-0 thrashing at the hands of RB Leipzig, and a victory for Rosler's men could temporarily lift them to safety should Mainz lose to Union Berlin.

Meanwhile, Schalke are a side in turmoil following two crushing defeats since the Bundesliga resumed amid the coronavirus pandemic.

David Wagner was forced to witness his side be dominated by a struggling Augsburg at the weekend as the away side ended a four-game losing run with relative ease at the Veltins-Arena.

Thankfully for Wagner, Schalke's strong early-season form sees them sit comfortably in eighth, but their European hopes seem to be dwindling by the week after a succession of poor results.

Indeed, Schalke have lost five of their last six outings in all competitions and have not tasted success in the Bundesliga since their 2-0 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach in January.

Schalke's away form is even more cause for concern; Wagner's men have failed to score in their last five games on the road in Germany's top flight - conceding 12 goals in the process.

Dusseldorf Bundesliga form: LWDDDD
Dusseldorf form (all competitions): WDLDDD

Schalke 04 Bundesliga form: DLLDLL

Team News

Both managers will be expected to make changes to combat the hectic Bundesliga schedule.

Dusseldorf are still without on-loan Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen, and striker Dawid Kownacki also remains on the sidelines.

Mathias Jorgensen deputised in defence against Koln following Kaan Ayhan's suspension, but the Turkish centre-back will likely return to the first XI having served his one-game ban.

Meanwhile, Schalke pair Amine Harit and Jean-Clair Todibo remain on the treatment table following injuries in the defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Midfielder Suat Serdar limped off on Sunday and is unlikely to feature in midweek.

Neither of Benjamin Stambouli or Ozan Kabak played in the defeat to Augsburg, but both players are said to be nearing a return to action.

Several of Wagner's men are at risk of suspension ahead of Wednesday's clash, with Jonjoe Kenny, Weston McKennie, Salif Sane and Daniel Caligiuri all one yellow card away from a ban.

Dusseldorf possible starting lineup:
Kastenmeier; Zimmermann, Ayhan, Hoffmann, Gießelmann; Bodzek, Tommy, Morales; Skrzybski, Hennings, Fink

Schalke 04 possible starting lineup:
Schubert; Kenny, Sane, Kabak, Oczipka; Mascarell, McKennie; Caligiuri, Schopf, Matondo; Raman

We say: Dusseldorf 1-1 Schalke 04

Both sides are in a desperate situation and are vying to get their Bundesliga campaigns back on track, but we think that a draw is the most likely result between two clubs seriously lacking confidence at this stage of the season.

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