- Home form: Schalke 04 have won 11, drawn three and lost only one of their 15 2. Bundesliga home matches this season.
- Away form: Fortuna Dusseldorf have lost both of their last two away matches, won four and lost ten of their 15 away matches in the 2. Bundesliga.
Schalke have the firepower to see off Fortuna
Scoring and defence
Schalke 04 have scored an average of 1.80 goals per game at home in the 2. Bundesliga, but have conceded just 0.93 goals per home game, suggesting that the home team should outscore their opponents on Saturday.
Fortuna Dusseldorf have scored an average of 0.73 goals and conceded an average of 1.53 goals away from home in the 2. Bundesliga, which is why they are battling against the drop.
Standings
These two clubs meet at a pivotal time in the 2. Bundesliga season with Schalke 04 sitting top of the table with 64 points from 31 games and Fortuna Dusseldorf in 15th place with 34 points from 31 matches, fighting near the relegation zone.
Managers and tactics
Miron Muslic has added intensity and clarity to Schalke’s approach since taking the helm in May 2025, while Alexander Ende has tried to steady the ship at Fortuna Dusseldorf since he took over in April 2026.
Schalke’s high-tempo 3-4-2-1 formation features aggressive wing-backs and fast vertical transitions, while Ende sets up his 4-2-3-1 formation to be more compact and structured in buildup, measured in pressing, and to exploit spaces through central channels.
An end-to-end game is expected
The recent head-to-head record between the two clubs has seen each side win one and one match end in a draw across their three meetings over the last four months, but Schalke won the last away league fixture 2-0.
Schalke 04 are the in-form team and Fortuna Dusseldorf have lost four of their last five, so the home side are the strong favorites to take the win on Saturday.
The odds for a Schalke 04 win are 1.59 ahead of Saturday’s game and the odds for Over 2.5 goals are 1.48, which is why the both teams to score - yes bet at 1.57 looks the best way to approach this matchup.
Dejan Ljubicic the driving force behind Schalke
Schalke have won their last two home games and Fortuna have lost their last two on the road, so the score prediction for Saturday’s clash is 2-1 to the hosts. Schalke have not beaten Fortuna in their last two at home, so the visitors will be up for this one, but the superior firepower, greater form and home dominance should see Schalke take all three points on Saturday.
- Dejan Ljubicic has been the driving force in Schalke’s strong recent run, providing three assists in his last five games, while Moussa Sylla has been in great form for the hosts, scoring three of their last ten goals in their last five matches.
- Cedric Itten has been in and out of the team for Fortuna, but when he has played has made his presence felt with 13 goals in 28 2. Bundesliga appearances, more than any other member of the squad.
- Itten has scored three of Fortuna’s last five goals, so he will be the main threat for the visitors.
