By Ben Sully@SullyBen

Schalke 04 vs. Bayern Munich preview: Bundesliga action returns to the Veltins-Arena

Schalke 04 face an almighty test against champions Bayern Munich in their first Bundesliga home match since returning to the top flight.

Miron Muslic	Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images

Schalke started the season with an eventful DFB-Pokal tie against fourth-tier Hallescher, requiring an additional 30 minutes to clinch a 5-2 victory after being held to a 2-2 scoreline in regulation time. The newly-promoted side then turned their focus to the serious business of an away game against Augsburg in their first Bundesliga match since 2023.

Unfortunately for Schalke, they were given a considerable reality check in a heavy 3-0 defeat at the WWK Arena. Michael Gregoritsch scored the only goal of the first period before Ron Schallenberg was dismissed for a last-man challenge just past the hour mark. Augsburg took advantage of their numerical superiority with two late goals, leaving Schalke boss Miron Muslić with plenty to think about ahead of his side’s first home game of the season.

The hosts will be fully aware of the size of the task that awaits them on Saturday, having lost 12 competitive games against Bayern. The most recent draw between the two sides took place at the Allianz Arena in February 2017, while Schalke’s last head-to-head win was a 1-0 success in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals in March 2011.

Team News

Midfielder Satoshi Tanaka is set to replace Schallenberg, who will serve the first of a two-game ban following his dismissal on matchday one.

The hosts are expected to be without Tomas Kalas, Emil Højlund, Adrian Gantenbein and Bryan Lasme. A late decision will be made on the availability of Kenan Karaman and deadline-day arrival Hwang Hee-chan.

Click here to see our predicted Schalke lineup for this contest.

Bayern Munich

Bayern have enjoyed a faultless start to the 2026-27 season, recording victories across three separate competitions. The Bavarians claimed silverware in their first outing of the new campaign, beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 to lift the DFL-Supercup. Vincent Kompany’s side then started their Bundesliga title defence with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Stuttgart. The game was finely poised at 1-1 before a Michael Olise effort and an own goal put Bayern in control just before the hour mark. Aleksandar Pavlović and Luis Díaz went on to grab a goal apiece as Vincent Kompany’s side ran out comfortable winners at the Allianz Arena.

Olise was among the scorers again in Wednesday’s 4-0 win against Osnabrück in the DFB-Pokal. Tom Bischof and Harry Kane also found the net, with the latter netting a brace as Bayern made light work of their second-tier opponents.

Bayern will be looking to maintain their perfect start to the season in Saturday’s away clash. The Bavarians have won their last seven games against Schalke without conceding, including a 2-0 victory in their most recent trip to the Veltins-Arena in November 2022.

Team News

Serge Gnabry is back in Bayern training following an adductor injury, but Saturday’s contest will come too soon for the 31-year-old attacker.

Vincent Kompany has revealed Jamal Musiala has had a positive week of training in the lead-up to Saturday’s fixture. The attacker is set to feature in a matchday squad for the first time since collapsing in friendlies against RB Leipzig and Heidenheim due to a neurological issue.

Click here to see our predicted Bayern Munich lineup for this contest.