2. Bundesliga preview: SV Elversberg vs. FC Schalke 04

Bundesliga. League leaders Schalke travel to third-placed Elversberg with just three points separating the sides, as the promotion race enters its final stretch with only six games remaining. Elversberg have been one of the stories of the campaign under Vincent Wagner.

Still fuelled by the disappointment of last season’s playoff defeat to Heidenheim, SVE are firmly on course to go one better this time around. Their recent form underlines that ambition, with just one defeat in their last eight outings, and they will be determined to reassert themselves in the top three on Sunday. Their 1-1 draw away to Hannover last time out was another demonstration of their resilience.

After falling behind to a Maximilian Rohr own goal before the break, Elversberg responded strongly in the second half, with Lukas Petkov levelling to secure a valuable point in a direct promotion battle. “It’s a special game, a tough one, and we’re really looking forward to it,” said head coach Vincent Wagner. “I expect a team that knows all the tricks – an incredibly clever opponent.

” Schalke, meanwhile, have impressed in Miron Muslić’s first season at the helm. The Royal Blues have established themselves as consistent top-three contenders and arrive unbeaten in their last eight matches, determined to defend their place at the summit. They returned to winning ways in their most recent outing, edging Karlsruher SC in a controlled if unspectacular performance.