Schalke vs Mainz predicted XI: Get the result you need

Defense

There are a lot of injuries here. Five of the injured mass are defenders, four of whom would absolutely be starting if healthy. Which means that Wagner will have very little recourse but to piece together a defense that he can only hope will retain the fantastic form that his defense has kept all year.

More from Release The Knappen

• Schalke 04: Arkadiusz Milik would take everything, but he’s worth it
• Schalke 04: Ozan Kabak makes Jean-Claire Todibo pass quietly
• Schalke 04: Omar Mascarell the only boost between now and then
• Schalke 04: David Wagner just has to make it to the end of the season
• Schalke 04: At least we still have Weston McKennie

Thankfully, I have a lot of faith that he can do just that. We still have Bastian Oczipka manning the left side, which alleviates all stress over there. So hooray for that.

On the right, I hope it’s Timo Becker that gets another look, rather than mixing in two leftbacks. If Jonjoe Kenny really is leaving, we need to start figuring out if Becker is the heir apparent or if we need to invest elsewhere. Becker started against Paderborn and it’s not like he was that bad. He only had one embarrassing moment where I wasn’t sure what he hoped to accomplish. But nothing detrimental.

In the center, I’m excited to see Jean-Clair Todibo given his first start in Kabak’s absence. Todibo showed all the composure in the world in his 50+ minutes against Paderborn, but his first full 90 minutes will say a lot.

And lastly, the new anchor, Matija Nastasic.

On to the midfield.