Bundesliga Preview: Schalke - Bayern Munich

Posted Friday, September 21, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

It may lack the box office draw of El Clasico or the traditional allure of the Milan derby, but there can be no doubting the scale of the rivalry between Schalke and Bayern Munich.

On Saturday afternoon the pair do battle in Gelsenkirchen, with both sides looking to end one another’s unbeaten start to the campaign.

The Bavarians sit at the top of the Bundesliga and boast a 100 percent record from their opening three games, while die Konigsblauen reside in fourth place - just two points behind their fierce rivals.

If last season’s clashes between the pair are anything to go by, then the hosts hold the upper hand, having emerged 2-0 victors on both occasions, with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer - who traded Schalke for Bayern 15 months ago - yet to concede against his former employers.

But, fresh off the back of a fine 2-1 UEFA Champions League win at Olympiakos in midweek - the same scoreline by which Bayern saw off Valencia on Wednesday evening - Huub Stevens’ charges will head into the game full of confidence.

Timo Hildebrand looks to be the only notable absentee from the Schalke squad, with Jermaine Jones a slight doubt, while Bayern will check on the fitness of Franck Ribery after he limped off at halftime on Wednesday evening. Mario Gomez remains sidelined with an ankle injury.