FC Schalke 04 vs. Borussia Dortmund 3 key matchups to watch

SINSHEIM, GERMANY - OCTOBER 20: Omar Mascarell of FC Schalke 04 gestures during the Bundesliga match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and FC Schalke 04 at PreZero-Arena on October 20, 2019 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
SINSHEIM, GERMANY - OCTOBER 20: Omar Mascarell of FC Schalke 04 gestures during the Bundesliga match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and FC Schalke 04 at PreZero-Arena on October 20, 2019 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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FC Schalke 04 will defend the Veltins-Arena on Saturday against bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund. Here are the three biggest matchups to watch.

The winner of this weekend’s Revierderby could very well vault into first place in the Bundesliga, but it’s not like this matchup between FC Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund needed any additional stakes to be must-see.

Schalke and Dortmund have one of the fiercest rivalries in world football, and there is something special about the animosity between these two adjacent fan bases. The Royal Blues spoiled the Black and Yellows’ title aspirations last spring when these two teams most recently faced off, with Daniel Caligiuri’s wonderful free kick being the game’s biggest highlight.

More magical moments will be on their way on Saturday at the Veltins-Arena, and Schalke actually look like the favorites. Not only because they are at home, but also because they are playing good football at the moment. Yes, they are coming off of a loss to Hoffenheim whereas Dortmund defeated first-place Borussia Monchengladbach in a lesser rivalry, but Dortmund are reeling after a 2-0 Champions League defeat to Inter Milan, whereas Schalke are refocused and rested.

Here are three matchups to watch when Schalke and Dortmund take the field in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday afternoon.