Saturday, November 25, 2006
Schalke look to stay at summit
Schalke have managed to maintain their focus and move to the top of the table despite a season full of dramas.
Coach Mirko Slomka has been under pressure from day one while numerous dressing room spats have claimed the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
However, a 4-2 win in Cottbus last time out took the Royal Blues to the summit and into a position they can defend on Friday night before their rivals even take to the field.
Schalke host Bochum in the Revier derby which, given the way the season has gone for both sides so far, will almost certainly provide a surprise or two at the Arena AufSchalke.
The home side can move five points clear of second-placed Werder Bremen with a win before Saturday sees several more intriguing ties at the top and bottom.
Bayern Munich moved up to fourth with their second successive win last weekend, helping Schalke by knocking Stuttgart off top spot with a 2-1 home victory.
When the fixture list was revealed in July, this Saturday would have been circled as a likely top-of-the-table clash as Hamburg entertain Bayern in a north versus south fixture.
However, both Champions League participants find themselves in unexpected territory after 13 rounds of matches.
While Bayern in fourth may not be too far from their ambitions, Hamburg are languishing in 17th place with just one win all season - and that in all competitions.
Thomas Doll's side have become the laughing stock both in Germany and in Europe, where they have lost all five of their Champions League group fixtures.
Werder Bremen have fared significantly better in Europe and a 1-0 win over Chelsea has put them within touching distance of the second round, and sending holders Barcelona out of the competition.
They must replicate that form in the Bundesliga on Saturday as high-flying Arminia Bielefeld travel to the Weser Stadium.
Stuttgart are not in action until Sunday, when they will already know what three points against struggling Borussia Monchengladbach will be worth.
Gladbach could drop into the bottom three this weekend if Bochum and Hamburg can cause upsets.
Mainz, on the other hand, cannot escape the relegation zone, but a win over Hannover would raise confidence levels out of the doldrums.
Elsewhere, Nurnberg aim to build on their first win in 11 games when they travel to Wolfsburg while Alemannia Aachen will be looking to extend Hertha Berlin's inconsistent season and head back in the right direction.
Frankfurt and Dortmund also clash with the points needed to remain on the fringes of the top five.
Finally, on Sunday, Bayer Leverkusen and Energie Cottbus will be involved in a mid-table affair with the home side hoping to avoid tired legs from their UEFA Cup exertions on Thursday.