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Maya Yoshida will have to stop Jordan if Schalke are to take points from unbeaten Union Berlin on Saturday (kick-off: 15:30 CEST).
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Yoshida has been taken to the Bundesliga like a duck to water since joining promoted Schalke on a free transfer. The Japan international defender helped send off Wolfsburg last time out, although the Royal Blues wondered what could have happened after Simon Terodde had a penalty saved by Koen Casteels. That leaves Frank Kramer’s side without a Bundesliga win following their drawless return to Borussia Mönchengladbach and a 3-1 defeat at Cologne, but performance levels have generally been encouraging. Tobias Mohr could be recalled at the expense of Danny Latza in midfield, while Dominick Drexler returns to the fold after serving a mandatory two-match suspension for his red card against former club Cologne.
Union have no new personnel problems as they seek to extend their unbeaten club record to 11 Bundesliga appearances, dating back to mid-March. Urs Fischer’s side outplayed, overshot and overtook RB Leipzig on Matchday 3, earning a deserved 2-1 win. With seven points from three games, they are enjoying their best start to the season in the top flight. Jordan was a revelation in the forward role previously held by Taiwo Awoniyi. The USMNT striker already has three goals and played in four competitive games for the Berlin club, forging a telepathic understanding with Sheraldo Becker. Fellow summer signings Diogo Leite and Janik Haberer also made their debut, which made it easier for Fischer to be selected for the squad. An unchanged eleven is expected in Gelsenkirchen.
Look: Jordan Siebatcheu & Union Berlin – tactical analysis
Match statistics
- Schalke are unbeaten in their last five games against Union.
- After coming off the bench in Schalke’s last two games, summer signing Jordan Larsson – the son of Swedish legend Henrik Larsson – could make his full debut on Matchday 4.
- The Royal Blues have averaged 33 per cent possession in their three games so far.
- Jordan and Becker have each scored twice in the Bundesliga so far this season.
- Goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow has lost none of his 10 Bundesliga appearances for the Union, winning seven, drawing three and conceding just seven goals.
- Union are one of six unbeaten teams heading into matchday four.
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Probable teams
Schalke: Schwolow – Brunner, Yoshida, Thiaw, Ouwejan – Krauss, Kral, Zalazar – Bülter, Terodde (c), Zalazar, Mohr
Out: Harit (not taken into account), Polter (thigh)
Doubtful: Sane (match fitness)
Coach: Frank Kramer
Union: Rönnow – Jaeckel, Knoche, Leite – Trimmel (c), Haberer, Khedira, Ryerson – Schäfer – Becker, Jordan
Out: Baumgartl (fitness)
Doubtful: –
Coach: Urs Fischer
