Schalke: 5 key players to watch against Fortuna Dusseldorf

FC Schalke 04 are fully expected to grab all three points on Saturday afternoon against Fortuna Dusseldorf, and here are five players who will be important in making that happen.

After overcoming a horrific early injury to star center back Salif Sane and two deficits, FC Schalke 04 managed to snag all three points on the road against Augsburg last Sunday. Schalke currently sit in sixth place before Matchday 11 begins, and every game is critical in the incredibly tight race for Champions League football.

Moreover, just one point separates the Royal Blues from bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund, whom they tied 0-0 (and outplayed, for most of the match) two weeks ago in the Revierderby.

This week, Schalke will face another regional rival in Fortuna Dusseldorf, who looked like a possible surprise team to start the season when Zack Steffen was making himself known as one of the best keepers in the Bundesliga.

However, Steffen and Dusseldorf have fallen back to earth and are in 13th place, meaning the Royal Blues will be fully expected to win this game.

Here are five key players to watch when Schalke defend the Veltins-Arena against the upstarts, as the Gelsenkirchen club are looking for just their second Bundesliga victory since the start of October.