Schalke 04 vs VfB Stuttgart preview - Schalke set for big weekend

Schalke will be hoping that seven will be their lucky number as they prepare to face Stuttgart this Saturday.

After failing to win any of their last six matches, the Royal Blues have dropped out of contention for a place in the Champions League next season while a berth in the Europa League is no longer certain either.

They are therefore desperate to win at the seventh time of asking against the bottom-placed club, coached by the man voted by Schalke fans as their best ever coach - Huub Stevens.

"We've got to exhaust every opportunity, even changing things, to ensure we qualify for the Europa League," said Schalke coach Roberto Di Matteo, who despite his side's poor form still seems to be firmly in the saddle at a club with traditionally high expectations.

Julian Draxler could be the ace in his pack with the Germany international in contention for a starting berth after brief substitute appearances as he was fed back into action following a long injury absence.

However, he was one of a quartet of players unable to take part in training earlier this week with Joel Matip, Sead Kolasinac and Jefferson Farfan all rated doubtful.

Schalke have spent the week in a training camp in nearby Marienfeld to sharpen their focus for the final four games of the season.

There, they were to escape any potential distractions which could disturb their preparations, but there have been plenty of those for opponents Stuttgart.

A board member spilled the beans earlier this week that Alexander Zorniger will replace Stevens in the summer, prompting a denial from the club.

Stevens insists this has not got to him or his players, however.

"The club gave the right answer and I'm focusing on other things," said the Dutchman.

Things such as lifting the Swabians off the foot of the table and to safety with two points separating them from 15th-placed Hannover with four games of the season to go.