Schalke 04 are on the verge of a triumphant return to the Bundesliga, with a victory in this week's top-of-the-table clash against Fortuna Düsseldorf potentially sealing their promotion with two matchdays to spare in the 2. Bundesliga. The Royal Blues have never spent more than three seasons in Germany's second tier, and their current form suggests that tradition will continue as they edge closer to the top flight.

After a sluggish start to 2026, head coach Miron Muslić has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. His side has won their last four matches, even without the injured star striker Edin Džeko. The January signings Dejan Ljubicic and Adil Aouchiche have been instrumental, continuing their excellent form in last week's thrilling come-from-behind victory away at second-placed Paderborn—a result that underlined Schalke's resilience and title credentials.

On the other side of the pitch, Fortuna Düsseldorf are fighting a different battle—relegation survival. A win in Alexander Ende's home debut against Dynamo Dresden lifted them out of the bottom three, but the pressure remains immense. With Magdeburg and Greuther Fürth just a point behind in a tight race to avoid the drop, even a draw against the league leaders might not be enough to keep their heads above water.

Amid the excitement, Muslić has issued a plea to Schalke's passionate supporters. In his pre-match interview, the 43-year-old coach strongly urged fans to avoid a pitch invasion if promotion is secured, citing safety concerns. He also confirmed that Džeko will return to the squad for the first time since the international break, adding a significant boost to Schalke's attacking options as they look to cross the finish line in style.