Schalke vs Borussia Dortmund - Schalke coach under pressure ahead of clash with Dortmund

Andre Breitenreiter's future as Schalke head coach could come under some scrutiny if they lose to Ruhr neighbours Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.

The Royal Blues slid from fourth to seventh in the Bundesliga last weekend and another defeat would leave them with a mountain to climb over the final five games of the season to reach their minimum goal of a place in Europe next season.

The Champions League is what the Gelsenkirchen club are ultimately aiming for, however, and a win over their local rivals, who have already booked their place in European football's elite club competition next term, would be a major fillip.

"You can feed on a derby win for a long time," said Schalke defender Joel Matip to Kicker magazine ahead of what will be his last Revierderby before moving to Liverpool next season.

"It could really give us a boost."

Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann said on his club's website: "You've been able to sense for days that the derby is approaching whenever you're in the city.

"There's something in the air. It's a game which attracts attention worldwide.

"I'm not nervous, but certainly the tension goes right to the tips of my hair."

The situation is slightly different in the Dortmund camp with the fixture coming at an awkward time for them.

While motivation should come naturally for such a game, more than one eye will already be wandering towards a trip to Anfield next Thursday, where the Westphalians will pursue a place in the semi-finals of the Europa League after a 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool on Thursday.

With a place in the Champions League next season already secured, success in Europe has taken on additional significance for Dortmund.

"We desperately want to win this game, but we are going to make a few changes and not play with the same team [as against Liverpool]," said their coach Thomas Tuchel.

"Liverpool, Schalke, Liverpool - it's a real strain, also emotionally, and we've got to navigate through it.

"But we are looking forward to it and we want to enjoy these games without any pressure."

Should Bayern Munich slip up at Stuttgart on Saturday, that may alter Tuchel's priorities somewhat, with five points currently separating the two sides at the top of the Bundesliga and the title race far from over.