Schalke vs. Borussia Dortmund: Key Issues That Will Shape the Bundesliga Game

This weekend's Bundesliga action welcomes the first Ruhr derby of the season as Borussia Dortmund make the short trip to Gelsenkirchen to take on the Royal Blues of Schalke.

Also known as the Revierderby in Germany, such a contest between these two neighbouring clubs is undoubtedly one of the biggest highlights of the German football calendar, with added emphasis attached when we consider the state of both teams' current form. 

Schalke coach Jens Keller has been flirting with disaster since the start of the new season, with his side picking up their first win only this week against Werder Bremen, while Jurgen Klopp's own Dortmund team have managed to just pick up five points from a possible 13. 

With so much at stake, anything but three points will be seen as a disappointment to two of the Bundesliga's most ambitious clubs. 

Here are the key issues that should shape the coming match. 

Dortmund Could Welcome Back Mats Hummels

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Although Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Stuttgart would have been a heavy blow to Dortmund fans across the world, one small glimmer of hope was the return of newly appointed club captain Mats Hummels to the matchday squad. 

Although the World Cup winning central defender picked up minimal game time, the prospect of him coming on or even starting against Schalke will vastly increase the chances of Dortmund success. 

Klopp has yet to make any comments regarding squad fitness following the game a few days ago, but for now we can be sure that Hummels will at least make the bench. 

Schalke Step Up Against the Big Teams

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

It's been a very odd start to the season for Schalke. In a manner that seems only possible with a club like their own, fans of the Gelsenkirchen side have enjoyed momentary highs and upsetting lows from one week to the next since the first game just a few months ago. 

Yet one interesting pattern that could affect Saturday's game is the way in which Keller's side have performed against better opponents this year. 

Despite losing in the league this season to lower opposition such as Hannover and drawing against Eintracht Frankfurt at home, Schalke did perform fantastically well against Bayern Munich and Chelsea, earning a point in each game. 

If the Royal Blues can approach the match against their stronger bitter rivals in the same fashion, they may well be able to take something from it. 

Dortmund's Troubled Defense

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

We feel like a broken record rattling on about it each week, but as every Dortmund fan already knows; Klopp's team can't keep a clean sheet for love nor money at this moment in time.

As already mentioned, Hummels may well return and if that's the case then things may be entirely different, but for the time being Dortmund have a serious issue of keeping things tight at the back against a Schalke side that can hurt them. 

The form of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will worry Klopp following his strong performance against Bremen on Tuesday. Furthermore, new signing Eric Choupo-Moting has already picked up two goals despite a turbulent start to the season for his team. 

Dortmund certainly possess enough to overcome Schalke in 90 minutes, but as things stand it looks as though they'll have to do so by simply outscoring them. 

Schalke Have Looked Stronger in Recent Derbies

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Despite living in Dortmund's shadow for the last few years, Schalke have in fact worked hard to improve their record against Klopp's side and actually hold a better head-to-head out of the two clubs in recent seasons. 

There was once a time when it seemed as though the Royal Blues would always buckle under the pressure and quality of the black and yellow players, yet over the past two seasons and four encounters Dortmund have only won one. 

Schalke on the other hand have won two of the last four and have actually only lost one of the last seven first derbies of the season. 

It would seem as though the Royal Blues have made a habit of picking Dortmund off before they've gotten over their habitual slow start to each season. 

Jens Keller's Job May Be Dependant on the Result

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Although the recent win over Bremen earlier in the week will make a significant difference to the mood around the Veltins Arena on Saturday, the general feeling around the club is still that of imminent chaos. 

Schalke currently sit with just five points out of five games so far in the Bundesliga, with the club far from happy at being in 13th position; just three spots above the relegation zone. 

Similarly a win for Dortmund could see them leapfrog a number of clubs into a top four position, adding insult to injury in Schalke's own backyard. An embarrassing prospect that Keller may not be able to simply shoulder the blame for.