Schalke 04 vs SC Freiburg preview - Freiburg clash must-win - Di Matteo

If Schalke are to play in the Champions League next season, getting three points against Freiburg is imperative with this weekend's game between the two sides having a similar character to their final-day clash two seasons ago.

Back then, the Royal Blues were behind Freiburg in the standings and needed a win on the final day of the season to move up to fourth and snatch a place in the Champions League.

It is not so clear-cut this time around with a win still leaving a lot of work ahead, but defeat would effectively end any hopes they have of catching the top four.

"The three points are very, very important," said coach Roberto Di Matteo. "Anything else doesn't help us in the slightest."

Schalke go into this weekend's Arena AufSchalke clash trailing fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen by eight points and they have a tricky trip to second-placed Wolfsburg to follow.

Their remaining games are all against side struggling to avoid relegation, but Di Matteo does not want to think that far ahead just yet.

"It's important that we think game by game and try to win our next one," he said. "We mustn't concern ourselves with what comes after.

"We've got to focus on Freiburg. We need to win at home, and then we can see what happens."

Di Matteo can count on Julian Draxler for the first time in five months after he returned from injury.

"We're delighted that Jule's feeling good," Di Matteo said. "He's an ambitious player who wants to get back on the field and he's given everything in training this week, but we'll have to wait and see if he's part of the squad."

Freiburg have won their last two Bundesliga games, but defeat to Wolfsburg in the DFB-Pokal in midweek has upset that rhythm, and dampened their mood.

"I'm furious," said coach Christian Streich. "I feel we've been mistreated. I don't understand it, but unfortunately we've got to accept it."

Streich was unhappy about the penalty which cost his side a place in the semi-finals, but Freiburg must now focus their efforts on maintaining or extending their three-point cushion over the bottom three.