Schalke vs Elversberg – News and Probable Lineups

In a vital encounter for their Bundesliga survival, Schalke 04 will host Elversberg at VELTINS-Arena on Sunday.

Both teams were promoted to the Bundesliga last season, and after three matches, Schalke sits in 11th place with four points, while Elversberg is in sixth with six points.

Match overview

The home side enters this weekend’s fixture following an impressive 3-1 victory over Union Berlin on September 11, a match in which they kept their opponents from scoring until late in the second-half stoppage time.

In matchweek two, Schalke also managed to secure a point after holding Bayern Munich to a goalless draw, showcasing their defensive strength this season.

However, under head coach Miron Muslic, the squad has struggled for goals, netting just four times in the league so far.

The only home match they played resulted in that stalemate with Bayern on September 5, extending their unbeaten run at VELTINS-Arena to 15 matches.

Of those, Schalke recorded 11 wins, one of which was a narrow 1-0 triumph against Elversberg in November 2025.

Elversberg faced a setback last weekend, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in matchweek three of the 2026-27 season.

This defeat should not overshadow their campaign as they have already secured victories against Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Manager Vincent Wagner will be pleased with his team’s attacking displays, having scored 11 goals across four matches in all competitions, despite conceding eight times.

Elversberg’s loss to Schalke in November 2025 wasn’t their only setback against this opponent, with Schalke winning both encounters during the 2. Bundesliga season of 2025-26.

Last season, Elversberg ended their away run with five winless fixtures, drawing thrice, but they have kicked off this term with two impressive away wins by an aggregate of 7-4.

Team News

Schalke’s confirmed absentees include forwards Emil Hojlund and Dejan Ljubicic, both facing injuries, one to the Achilles and the other to the knee.

Chukwubuike Adamu is expected to lead the attack as the main striker. He notched an assist against Union and will look for support from forwards Kenan Karaman and Adil Aouchiche to secure his first goal this season.

For Elversberg, there are questions regarding the fitness of playmaker Francis Onyeka, who is dealing with a slight knock.

If the 19-year-old is unable to play, expect Noah Darvich to take a more advanced position behind center-forward David Mokwa.

Meanwhile, midfielders Felix Keidel and Lukasz Poreba are likely to support central defenders Lukas Pinckert and Maximilian Rohr.

Schalke 04 probable starting XI:

Karius; Becker, Katic, Kurucay; Dina Ebimbe, El-Faouzi, Tanaka, Gosens; Karaman, Aouchiche; Adam

Elversberg probable starting XI:

Christopher; Gyamerah, Pinckert, Rohr, Gunther; Keidel, Poreba; Petkov, Darvich, Krattenmacher; Mokwa

Sunday’s encounter promises to be intriguing, as Schalke’s defence will face a significant challenge from Elversberg’s potent attack.

It’s possible that the two sides may end up sharing the spoils, and taking a point each could be seen as a satisfactory outcome for both.