1899 Hoffenheim can take first at the break

Following Bayern München and VfB playing to a 2-2 draw, 1899 Hoffenheim has an chance to be two points on top of the table with a victory over visiting Schalke 04 today. "We have been very successful so far, and we want to put the icing on the cake with a win," said manager Ralf Rangnick.

Both sides come in with few injuries before the break, Hoffenheim doubting the service of Carlos Eduardo while the troubled Schalke side will miss Kevin Kurányi.

Both clubs come in with a great deal to think of over the break. For Hoffenheim, early season talk of promotion has been dealt with the improbable concerns of winning the championship and a European effort. However for the visiting Schalke, ninth place in the table is completely unacceptable and their manager Fred Rutten, formerly of Twente, is hanging on to his job by the narrowest of lifelines.

The key to this match is Hoffenheim's ability to break down what is clearly the most focused defensive club in the Bundesliga. For this to be successful Tobias Weis and Carlos Eduardo or Francisco Copado if Eduardo can't make it will need to be at their best in servicing Chinedu Obasi, Bosnian international Vedad Ibišević and Demba Ba up-front. Fred Rutten will counter-attack this with a packed midfield and strangle off Hoffenheim's attacking runs.

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