Revierderby Match Preview

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Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke 04
Saturday: 16:30 CET (+2) - 15:30 local time, Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund (BVB) prepare to take on Schalke 04 in the Revierderby. As the Revierderby is one of the biggest derbies in the world, both teams cannot afford to lose. Although BVB had a great start in the Bundesliga, they are struggling as they have gone five matches without a win, and are now in 5th place with 20 points.

In goal, BVB have Swiss keeper Roman Burki who has had a great season and has five clean sheets. Burki has been a key player for Dortmund since the defence has struggled to preform. In the middle, BVB have a variety of quality players. Ukrainian international Andriy Yarmalenko joined Dortmund in September but has already adapted to the Bundesliga very well. Yarmalenko has scored and assisted twice and has a 78% pass accuracy rate. The player to watch on BVB will be young American midfielder Christian Pulisic who has two goals, and can control the game. And up front is Gabonese international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has scored 10 goals in 11 matches and is the 2nd top scorer in the Bundesliga.

Schalke's keeper Ralf Fahrmann has been excellent this season as he has five clean sheets and has only conceded 10 goals. Schalke defender Naldo has been a key player for Schalke because he has kept the back line solid as a rock and he has an 88% pass accuracy rate. In the middle, Schalke have Leon Goretzka who has scored four crucial goals and is an up and coming midfielder would could potentially play for Germany in next years World Cup. The player to watch is Algerian midfielder Nabil Bentaleb who has scored three goals in six matches and has a 78% pass accuracy rate. Up front, Schalke 04 have Austrian forward Guido Burgstaller who has scored four goals, and has a 70% shot accuracy rate.

For the visitors, a win would keep them in 2nd place, as they currently have 23 points and are six points behind 1st place Bayern Munich. For BVB it is a must win, as they need to get back into the title race and not fall further behind.


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