The home side are without Vitaliy Vitsenets because of injury and Fred, who is suspended after failing a drugs test.
Schalke are without a number of players for the trip to Ukraine for the first-leg of their Europa League round of 32 tie against Shakhtar. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg is suspended, whereas Benedikt Howedes, Matija Nastasic and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting are all ruled out through injury.
André Breitenreiter could revert to the 4-4-2 formation the German side have opted for in the Europa League this season. Max Meyer may have to settle for a slot out wide in the expected absence of Choupo-Moting.
Schalke are undefeated in their last 7 matches (UEFA Europa League).Shakhtar have failed to win their last 6 matches (UEFA Europa League).
This will be the home sides first competitive match since they were knocked out the Champions League at the start of December. They will also have to navigate through the rest of competition without star forward Alex Teixeira, who moved to China last month.
Schalke have won five of their last eight matches in all competitions but they will be hurt by the absences of some key players in this match. Their away form has also been patchy this season, although they are slight favourites heading into the match when you consider the home side haven't played competitively in more than two months.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Schalke 04 prediction: X @ 3,10
