Bayer Leverkusen are fairly good

So maybe that is a "slight" understatement because in-truth Bayer Leverkusen is first in the table for a good reason as no-one has been able to combine attacking influences with a good mandate of defending. Naturally that analysis could be thrown out last week as somehow Karlsruhe played them a 3-3 draw in-which defending took the afternoon off. Considering that match as a one-off, Werkself is far too good of a club to roll out another dud two matches in a row.

Bayer manager Bruno Labbadia knows the importance of this match:

"We've earned our position by playing well and the team have done a lot of things right. It doesn't affect our approach. But if we want to hold on to top spot then we need to beat Schalke and that's important because they are direct competitors for a UEFA Cup place."

Bruno Labbadia is confident of his lineup regardless of last weeks poor play:

"I won't lose my belief in this team just because they didn't play so well for half a game. They deserve that after their performances in recent weeks. I have full confidence in my players."

The one draw-back for them is that Pirmin Schwegler injured his right knee in practice and is unavailable. Their attacking side of Arturo Vidal,Tranquillo Barnetta,Renato Augusto,Patrick Helmes and Stefan Kießling are possibly the best overall group in the Bundesliga and Fred Rutten will need to reinforce die Königsblauen defending lines and ensure the mix-ups against der Kaiser's* club. Schalke is fully-fit with the exclusion of Levan Kenia.

Don't miss this match as it is the best of the weekend.