Schalke braced for final push

By Mark Bennett

The Bundesliga season is braced for a thrilling climax as six teams go into the final round still striving for UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup places.

Europe beckons
The title race and relegation places have already been decided, but FC Schalke 04, VfB Stuttgart, Hertha BSC Berlin, SV Werder Bremen, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and BV Borussia Dortmund have ensured interest remains intense as the battle for European places goes down to the wire.

Schalke favourites
Schalke are the favourites to secure second place as they hold a two-point advantage over Stuttgart and are a further point ahead of Hertha. Furthermore they face a relatively easy away game at SC Freiburg, and coach Ralf Rangnick is optimistic his side will qualify for Europe's premier competition. "The players have worked hard and invested a lot all season. I simply can't imagine them blowing our chance now," said Rangnick.

Stuttgart test
Stuttgart have the most difficult task of all the teams fighting for a place in Europe - they host newly-crowned Bundesliga champions FC Bayern München. Bayern coach Felix Magath led VfB into the Champions League two years ago but he has insisted there will be no room for favours.

Bayern incentive
"I had a great time in Stuttgart," Magath said. "My image as a trainer changed while I was there and I will always be grateful for that. But I am not responsible for the situation they are in and I work for Bayern now. I want to win the match because it is our last game ahead of the cup final."

Hertha chance
With the Bayern coach pressing for victory, Hertha and fifth-placed Bremen sense their chance of snatching third place but both teams will need to win their matches. Hertha are at home to Hannover 96, while Bremen travel to 1. FC Kaiserslautern.

UEFA Cup race
Bayer 04 Leverkusen are in pole position in the battle for the final UEFA Cup berth. They need only draw at home game against VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach to guarantee their return to Europe, while Dortmund must beat FC Hansa Rostock and hope that Leverkusen lose their match to qualify for Europe.

Closing day
In Saturday's other action 1. FC Nürnberg are at home to 1. FSV Mainz, Hamburger SV entertain VfL Bochum 1848 and VfL Wolfsburg travel to DSC Arminia Bielefeld.