Preview: Schalke 04 vs. Hoffenheim

Schalke 04 prepare for a potentially crucial week in their season on the back of a disappointing run of results in February.

After making a promising start to 2015, Roberto Di Matteo's side have hit a stumbling block in their campaign and are without a win in the last four games in all competitions.

No defeat has left Schalke supporters more disappointed than last weekend's 3-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Ruhr derby at Signal Iduna Park.

In truth, the visitors were fortunate not to concede even more goals on a frustrating afternoon, and the travelling fans made their feelings known by jeering the players off the pitch.

Hoffenheim are unbeaten in their previous four games, and will leapfrog Schalke in the table with a victory on Saturday.

Di Matteo will be forced into some tough selection decisions ahead of the second leg of their Champions League tie with Real Madrid on Tuesday, but with the Spaniards leading 2-0 at the halfway stage, the Italian may choose to prioritise a vital Bundesliga fixture.

There has been good news for Schalke this week with Julian Draxler returning to training, while Leon Goretzka will finally be back in the first-team squad after eight months on the sidelines.

Hoffenheim boss Markus Gisdol will welcome back Oliver Baumann after handing the goalkeeper a rest in the 2-1 victory DFB-Pokal victory over Aalen in midweek.

Schalke:

Form in Bundesliga: WDWLDL Form in all competitions: DWLLDL

Possible starting lineup: Wellenreuther, Fuchs, Uchida, Howedes, Nastasic, Meyer, Neustadter, Aogo, Barnetta, Huntelaar, Choupo-Moting

Hoffenheim:

Form in Bundesliga: LLLWDW Form in all competitions: LLWDWW

Possible starting lineup: Baumann, Beck, Strobl, Bicakcic, Toljan, Schwegler, Polanski, Rudy, Modeste, Firmino, Volland

Sports Mole says: 2-1