FC Schalke 04 is visiting FC Kaiserslautern. S04 needs points at the Betzenberg. This is the team that coach Karel Geraerts is sending into the race.

Two hours before kick-off, all the approaches to the dreaded Betzenberg in Kaiserslautern were already closed – the traditional duel between 1. FC Kaiserslautern and FC Schalke 04 sounds more like a glamorous Bundesliga game than like second-division dreariness and the relegation battle. Around 48,000 spectators are there, the Fritz Walter Stadium is sold out. In the direct duel (6:30 p.m./Sky) between the 15th (FCK) and 14th (S04), neither has anything to give away.

But it’s not just the table situation that makes this game so explosive. Schalke will be meeting their former head coach Dimitrios Grammozis again, who is currently taking care of the Red Devils. And there Grammozis has come under considerable pressure after three consecutive league games – rumors of a player revolt rocked FCK at the beginning of the week. “That was the lowest drawer,” Grammozis told the WAZ in an exclusive interview. Nevertheless, the evening will take place in front of “fantastic home fans”.

Schalke coach Karel Geraerts remains loyal to his 4-4-2 strategy, but changes his starting lineup in three positions: Timo Baumgartl replaces Marcin Kaminski, who is suspended for yellow, in central defense. On the left side, Derry John Murkin defends for Thomas Ouwejan (bench). Murkin was missing from the 2-0 defeat to HSV due to a yellow-red suspension.

Lino Tempelmann moves into the right midfield for Blendi Idrizi, who is ill. Schalke (20 points) could distance the Palatinate team, which is one place and one point worse off in the table basement. Hansa Rostock (against SV Elversberg) and Eintracht Braunschweig (17 points each/1. FC Magdeburg) also have no solvable tasks at the weekend.

Grammozis also makes three changes to his team. Ragnar Ache, Frank Ronstadt and Julian Niehues play for Jean Zimmer, Tobias Raschl and Daniel Hanslik.