Bundesliga Matchday 22

Park on board

Doubts still surround the inclusion of Joo-Ho Park for 1. FSV Mainz 05's clash with FC Schalke 04 in the Matchday 22 curtain-raiser. Head coach Thomas Tuchel admitted that "it's going to be tight" in the South Korean's race to be match-fit in time. However, he has travelled with the side, who stayed overnight in Bochum on Thursday. The left-back will undergo a late fitness test on Friday to determine whether on not he is able to feature. Fingers crossed!

Höwedes at home

FC Schalke 04 will once again have to make do without club captain Benedikt Höwedes for their home game against 1. FSV Mainz 05. The German international centre-back is still labouring under the effects of a torn muscle in his thigh. With Japanese international Atsuto Uchida still unavailable for selection, Tim Hoogland is expected to retain his place at right-back having performed admirably in the 2-1 win over Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Curtain raiser

Two of the Bundesliga's in-form sides are set to get the ball rolling on Matchday 22 as 1. FSV Mainz 05 travel to the Veltins Arena to take on FC Schalke 04. With a UEFA Champions League encounter against Real Madrid CF on the horizon, could distractions prove a problem for the Royal Blues? Not according to head coach Jens Keller who claims his players are "incredibly focused". Click here to read bundesliga.com's exclusive preview for the Friday night showdown.

Noch 10 Stunden bis zum Anpfiff! Seid ihr bereit? | Only 10 hours until kick-off! Are you ready for #S04M05? http://ift.tt/1gQj5gS FC Schalke 04 (@s04) February 21, 2014

Tune in

To find your local television broadcaster for the weekend's action, including tonight's curtain raiser as Kevin-Prince Boateng and FC Schalke 04 host 1. FSV Mainz 05, please click here.

For an overview of all the Matchday 22 fixtures, as well as the latest stats and figures, please follow this link.

Welcome...

...to bundesliga.com's LIVE coverage of Bundesliga Matchday 22, which boasts it's fair share of storylines. Can FC Schalke 04 start the Rückrunde with five-straight wins for only the second time in the club's history? Will Mirko Slomka survive his baptism of fire as he makes his debut as Hamburger SV head coach? Can VfL Wolfsburg make a statement of intent at home to second-placed Bayer 04 Leverkusen? You don't want to miss a minute of action so stay with us for all the build-up.

Source : http://ift.tt/1jjs22z