1. FC Köln – FC Schalke 04

A highly anticipated Bundesliga clash looms at the RheinEnergieStadion as 1. FC Köln host FC Schalke 04. Köln sit 12th with seven points from two wins, a draw and three defeats, having scored eight and conceded eleven, while Schalke languish in 15th place on five points, their tally reading one win, two draws and three losses with four goals for and seven against. The home side will be eager to close the gap on the relegation‑threatened zone, whereas the visitors will look to climb out of the bottom three. Their recent head‑to‑head meetings have been tightly contested, adding an extra layer of intrigue to a match that could prove pivotal for both campaigns.