Schalke 04 vs Werder Bremen preview - Schalke braced for Bremen test

Schalke will be bidding to put their midweek Champions League disappointment behind them and ensure they remain on course for qualification next season when they entertain in-form Werder Bremen this weekend.

The Royal Blues face an uphill struggle to remain in Europe this season after being beaten 2-0 at home by Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

That game highlighted their limitations on a European stage, but Roberto Di Matteo's men are still on track for a top-four finish in the Bundesliga and that is what must occupy their thoughts for the coming three weeks, before they head to Madrid for the return.

"We've got to draw a line under the Champions League and focus on the tasks in hand," said their director of sport Horst Heldt.

"We are waiting to face the team of the moment in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen.

"They hardly know what it feels like to lose at the moment, but we would like to change that."

Schalke will once again be without the suspended Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who was eligible in the Champions League but is still banned domestically, meaning at least one change will have to be made to the side Di Matteo picked in midweek.

Bremen will be without the injured Philipp Bargfrede while their coach Viktor Skrypnyk is not getting carried away with his club's current form.

"Of course we will be happy to give a good account of ourselves at Schalke, but we're still a long way from realising our goals for the season," Skrypnyk said.

"I think we've got to try to put the brakes on the team, the fans and the media a little."

Bremen have won five games in a row, yet their away form still leaves a lot to be desired.

"I'd rather be bottom when it comes to away form than bottom of the Bundesliga, though," added Skrypnyk, whose side have had four home games out of their last five and have lost six and drawn two of their 10 away games so far this season.