Preview: Schalke 04 vs. FC Koln - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their two matches since returning to action last weekend after the World Cup.

Match preview

The international break does not seem to have worked in Schalke's favour as their head coach Thomas Reis may have hoped, with his side losing both of their matches within the past week.

While defeats to Champions League representatives Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig were both the most likely outcomes, the nature of their 3-0 and 6-1 defeats respectively will have provided plenty of areas of concern for Reis ahead of a busy schedule.

Schalke trailed 4-0 at half-time at home to Leipzig on Tuesday evening, with Soichiro Kozuki's 56th-minute consolation strike the only moment of cheer for the home fans in attendance at Veltins-Arena to celebrate across a miserable match for them to endure.

Reis will be determined to help his players gain a positive result at the same venue against Koln on Sunday, otherwise his side could be cut even further adrift at the bottom of the table.

Koln, on the other hand, appear to have relished the return of German football, collecting four points from two matches to move up to 10th in the table ahead of the weekend's action.

Steffan Baumgart's side failed to win any of their last five league games before the World Cup began in November, but they romped to a stunning 7-1 victory against Werder Bremen last weekend before claiming a hugely impressive 1-1 draw away to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Ellyes Skhiri looked to have provided his side with a famous victory at the Allianz Arena after his side valiantly fought to hold onto the midfielder's fourth-minute opener, but Joshua Kimmich rescued a point for the Bavarians in the last minute of normal time.

However, Baumgart will be hugely encouraged by his side's return to form, and he will fully expect to inflict a fourth consecutive defeat on their forthcoming opponents, especially with the incentive of moving into the top half of the table likely to be present for his players.

Schalke 04 Bundesliga form:

L

L

W

L

L

L

FC Koln Bundesliga form:

D

L

L

L

W

D

FC Koln form (all competitions):

D

L

L

L

W

D

Team News

Schalke's perilous position is being compounded by a lengthy injury list, with Sebastian Polter and Justin Heekeren both ruled out until next season due to serious ACL injuries.

Tom Krauss, Alex Kral, Thomas Ouwejan, Rodrigo Zalazar, Niklas Tauer and Sepp van den Berg could all return at various points in February, but none of them are likely to be available for their side's upcoming clash against Koln.

Krauss was replaced by Dominick Drexler shortly before half-time against Leipzig due to suspected concussion, with that switch likely to be made from the start on Saturday.

Koln, meanwhile, will travel without Kristian Pedersen, Luca Kilian, Mark Uth, Florian Dietz and Sebastian Andersson, while Timo Hubers and Jan Thielmann are both minor doubts due to illness and a thigh issue respectively.

With his options diminished by these availability concerns, Baumgart is unlikely to see any reason to make changes to a starting XI that was only a few minutes away from earning an incredible victory away to the league leaders and reigning champions in midweek.

Schalke 04 possible starting lineup:

Schwolow; Brunner, Yoshida, Matriciani, Uronen; Drexler, Latza, Larsson; Kozuki, Frey, Bulter

FC Koln possible starting lineup:

Schwabe; Schmitz, Soldo, Chabot, Hector; Skhiri, Huseinbasc; Maina, Olesen, Kainz; Tigges

We say: Schalke 04 1-2 FC Koln

Neither team are likely to perform at their highest ceiling given the amount of injuries both managers have at their respective clubs, but Koln appear to have found their groove since returning to action last weekend.

Schalke are guaranteed to remain bottom of the table regardless of the result they pick up on Sunday, but we can envisage their position becoming even more perilous by succumbing to a fourth straight defeat.

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