Schalke vs Mainz predicted XI: Get the result you need

FC Schalke walked away disappointed against Paderborn and they need to bounce back big time against Mainz. Here is how they will line up to accomplish just that.

FC Schalke missed out on a huge opportunity last week. Borussia Dortmund fell to Leverkusen, which opened the door for Die Knappen to get back within immediate striking distance of the top four. Matched against Paderborn, you’d have been crazy not to believe they could do it.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t. Now, if the results don’t go their way, they could see themselves out of the top six.

Up next is Mainz, a club tied for the most goals surrendered in the entire Bundesliga. Again, you have to like our odds, but we have to go in ruthlessly and get the job done. No screwing around, no trying to hold on to a one-goal lead. Go out guns blazing, this is a club that will surrender goals.

Of course, Schalke have plenty of injuries to talk about. On the right side of the defense, Daniel Caligiuri and Jonjoe Kenny are both hurt. The former is out for awhile, the latter has to be evaluated.

Suat Serdar and Ozan Kabak, two marquee talents, are also both questionable. Serdar is still dealing with an ankle injury and Kabak had to be subbed off against Paderborn before half time with an injury of his own.

Elsewhere, Salif Sane and Benjamin Stambouli are obviously both still out, and Markus Schubert remains injured, leaving Alexander Nubel to retain his unrightful spot in goal (who’s bitter?).

With all of that in mind, I have David Wager again sticking with his 4-3-1-2 approach, with some changes to the personnel. Honestly, it worked against Paderborn, we just need a few adjustments. Against Mainz, it can be even more effective and, this time, it can unlock more goal scoring opportunities. Which, thanks to the predicted changes, will be taken.

Without further ado, here is the starting XI.

Keeper

I’m not happy about it, and I will never be, but Alexander Nubel keeps his spot in goal for lack of another option. Get well soon, Markus Schubert.

On to the defense.