FC Schalke 04 Predicted Starting XI at Wolfsburg

FC Schalke 04 will travel to Wolfsburg on Wednesday for Matchday 16, and here’s a look at their projected starting XI.

The Royal Blues are dealing with another wave of injuries, but perhaps the most impactful absence will the loss of captain Alexander Nubel, who was rightfully suspended for an atrocious tackle on Mijat Gacinovic on Sunday. Markus Schubert is more than capable of starring in goal for FC Schalke 04, but Nubel’s suspension could sting even more with both Matija Nastasic and now Weston McKennie out with injuries.

McKennie’s injury is another devastating blow to Die Knappen, since he’s a key component of the side’s success. His versatility has been especially important this season due to all the injuries at center back, and his dislocated shoulder will force Bastian Oczipka to start at center back in Nastasic’s place.

Here is the full projecting starting XI for Schalke against VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday, and Wolfsburg would love nothing more than to get an upset win over the Royal Blues, who are in prime Champions League position.

GK Markus Schubert

Markus Schubert looked excellent as a second-half replacement for the red-carded Alexander Nubel, as he showed why he’s one of the top goalkeeper prospects in Europe. He’ll be tested by Wout Weghorst and Maximillian Arnold in this one, but Schalke fans can expect him to stand tall by the end of the game.

LB Juan Miranda

Juan Miranda had some nervy moments in his first minutes of action for the Royal Blues on Sunday, but he eventually grew into the game. The FC Barcelona loanee’s talent isn’t in question, and he’ll get his first start of the season with Bastian Oczipka likely sliding into a center back role.

CB Bastian Oczipka

He looked solid during Schalke’s clean sheet over Bas Dost and Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 15 and will play a key role in a victory for the Royal Blues at the Volkswagen Arena. Oczipka has been wonderful at left back this season, and his defensive awareness and interceptions will continue to be key at center back.

CB Ozan Kabak

Every game, Ozan Kabak looks like one of the best players on the pitch and is rapidly becoming recognized as one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga. Expect Kabak and Weghorst to have a wildly entertaining battle in this game.

RB Jonjoe Kenny

Jonjoe Kenny needs to step up on both ends of the pitch, and he certainly stepped up on Sunday against one of the Bundesliga’s top players in Filip Kostic. Kenny will draw a much easier assignment on Wednesday and could dominate the game.

DM Omar Mascarell

One of the best holding midfielders in Europe right now, Omar Mascarell will have to be at the top of his game against a Wolfsburg team with Bundesliga veterans Maximillian Arnold and Joshua Guilavogui. But don’t doubt Mascarell’s ability to keep the passing ticking and own souls on the defensive end.

CM Suat Serdar

Quietly becoming a world-class box-to-box midfielder, Suat Serdar danced his way around Eintracht Frankfurt’s overmatched midfield on Sunday. Serdar could grab another goal to his running tally against Wolfsburg.

CAM Amine Harit

Amine Harit terrified the Eintracht defense on Matchday 15 and has consistently been one of the best players in the league this season. He was subbed off as a sacrifice after Nubel’s red card but did make his presence felt again.

LM Rabbi Matondo

Ahmed Kutucu could start since he’s back in practice after a late-week foot injury before Matchday 15, but Rabbi Matondo acquitted himself well on Sunday and should start. Matondo is a hard-working, intelligent 19-year-old forward whose well-rounded playing style helps Schalke. His finishing could use work, so he’ll need to start scoring in order to secure a starting position.

RM Daniel Caligiuri

The Schalke veteran has looked out of form recently, but it will be fun to watch him go up against Wolfsburg breakout star right back Kevin Mbabu. Daniel Caligiuri will have to step his game up, since Mbabu is averaging nearly five combined tackles and interceptions per game, per WhoScored.com. 

ST Benito Raman

There will be goals for Benito Raman to score against Wolfsburg, and he’ll have to be the one to grab the chances. Harit and Serdar can help out from a goal-scoring perspective, but Raman is the man on form with four goals in his last four games.