FC Schalke 04 Predicted Starting XI vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
FC Schalke 04 need to get a win on Matchday 15 against Eintracht Frankfurt in order to remain in a Champions League position.
The Royal Blues are starting to feel like this could be their year. Even though they lost last week to a rising Bayer Leverkusen, they showed great resiliency in the second half on the road, nearly coming away with a point at the BayArena. FC Schalke 04 have all the tools to be Bundesliga title sleepers, and they are expected to sew up Champions League football by the season’s end.
On Sunday evening, Schalke will defend the Veltins Arena against Eintracht Frankfurt, who are trying to get back into a spot in the table that would guarantee European football in 2020-2021. Eintracht have talented forwards and two quality crossers in Filip Kostic and Danny da Costa, who will look to give Die Knappen’s defense some trouble.
Here’s a look at how Schalke could line up on Sunday at home, noting center back Matija Nastasic is once again out with a knee injury
GK Alexander Nubel
The star goalkeeper is a guaranteed starter and is one of the best players at the position in the Bundesliga. He will be tested by teasing crosses and set piece deliveries in this game.
LB Bastian Oczipka
A fixture at the left back position, Bastian Oczipka plays the full 90 minutes every week and gives it his all. Like da Costa and Kostic, Oczipka sends delicious deliveries for his forwards.
CB Ozan Kabak
The 19-year-old Turkish defender is on fire and has shown his class since entering the starting lineup after an injury to Benjamin Stambouli. Kabak played well despite the loss to Bayer and has flashed talent as a passer.
CB Weston McKennie
Weston McKennie will start at center back again due to Matija Nastasic’s injury. He’ll be tested aerially by Goncalo Paciencia and will also have to deal with the technical quality of Eintracht’s true star man, Daichi Kamada. McKennie will have a big say on this game for Die Knappen.
RB Jonjoe Kenny
Although Jonjoe Kenny has been a welcome addition to the team and will hopefully sign a long-term deal with Schalke over Everton, he does need to step up his performances. Kenny vs. Kostic could be quite the battle.
CM Omar Mascarell
Look for Omar Mascarell to boss his old team out of the game on Sunday. The Spain international is by far the highest-quality holding midfielder between both sides and should control the passing while also dominating defensively for yet another week.
CM Suat Serdar
Suat Serdar is on a world-class trajectory at Schalke, as the Germany international is enjoying a breakout season under David Wagner. Look for him to score or assist on Matchday 15.
AM Daniel Caligiuri
Daniel Caligiuri has looked off the pace and uninventive lately, but Schalke fans will hope the veteran midfielder can provide a moment of magic against a solid Eintracht side.
AM Amine Harit
Having recently signed an extension through 2024, Amine Harit will be determined to have yet another sensational performance. Whenever a clutch play is needed, Harit is sure to come up with the goods. Frankfurt could have major problems defending the attacking midfielder.
Next. 3 key players to watch against Eintracht. dark
ST Benito Raman
The Belgian has scored in each of his past three games and has been a revelation for the Royal Blues since returning from an injury. Benito Raman has stepped up his game since his transfer from rivals Fortuna Dusseldorf and has been a key part of the solution for Schalke’s attack.
ST Ahmed Kutucu
Mark Uth is injured, and Guido Burgstaller cannot be counted on as a starter. Schalke need goals and more attacking firepower next to Raman, and either 19-year-old Ahmed Kutucu or Rabbi Matondo can provide it. Since Kutucu has literally created two late goals in two games as a substitute for Die Knappen, he should finally get a true shot at starting. And fans can expect him to make good on this opportunity on Sunday.