Of Mainz and Men

Schalke 04 midfielder Fabian Ernst insisted this week that the league leaders must win at relegation-threatened Mainz 05 on Saturday if they have real aspirations of lifting their first Bundesliga title.

The 24-time capped German midfielder missed last week's 2-0 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach serving a one-match suspension and is desperate to face Mainz to keep Schalke's dream of finally winning the Bundesliga.

Schalke won the last of their seven German titles in 1958 -- before the Bundesliga's inaugural season in 1963 -- and it has been a long wait for their fans.

They lead second-placed Werder Bremen by two points, but Stuttgart, in third, and fourth-placed Bayern Munich are still within striking distance should the leaders falter again.

Last weekend's win at Mönchengladbach was only their second in seven games, but Mainz, deep in the relegation battle and a point from safety, will be fighting for their survival.

"We have to be wary of playing a side like Mainz, it's tight at the bottom of the table and they're all fighting for survival," said Ernst. "But if you want to win the league, you have to win in Mainz."

Schalke coach Mirko Slomka has minor injury concerns with Danish striker Soren Larsen twisting an ankle in training and Halil Altintop facing a fitness race to partner in-form striker Kevin Kuranyi up front. "A win could be a major milestone for us on the road to the league title," said Slomka.

Schalke's main hopes rest on the return of playmaker Lincoln from a five-game suspension for the final six matches of the season. "Lincoln is back, he is extremely important for us," said Slomka. The Schalke coach also said he would be happy if Bremen lose in Dortmund, but that his team must do its own share: "We must win our games."

Bitter rivals wish each other the best

Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi also hoped the Royal Blues’ bitter rivals get a result: "I will never become a Dortmund fan but I hope they get three points against Bremen."

It only highlights a somewhat bizarre season that rabid local rivals Dortmund also want Schalke to win. "It's crazy, this time we are keeping our fingers crossed for Schalke," said Dortmund defender Christian Wörns. Points for Mainz could seriously jeopardize Dortmund’s top-flight status.

Werder -- who romped to a 4-1 win over AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals on Thursday with Miroslav Klose ending his goal drought with a double -- go to struggling Dortmund on Sunday, while Bayern Munich, in fourth, will be looking to put the hurt of their Champions League exit behind them against Bayer Leverkusen on the same day.

"It is still about first place. But we have to win all our matches," said Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves.

Stuttgart look to capitalize in Saturday clash

So third-placed VfB Stuttgart's coach Armin Veh knows his side must win at home to Hanover on Saturday in front of their faithful fans to keep the pressure on the sides above them.

"Hanover are a good counter-attacking side," said Veh. "They proved that when they beat Bayern Munich 1-0 earlier this season, but we are confident and in good form. You can see that at every training session and having 50,000 fans behind us will do the team no end of good, as it has all season."

Stuttgart's top-scorer Mario Gomez is on the mend after a knee injury, but is still several weeks away from a return.

After parting company with ex-coach manager Falko Götz in midweek after plummeting down the table to ninth having gone nine games without a win, Hertha Berlin have Karsten Heine at the helm away to mid-table VfL Bochum.

Relegation battle just as tight as title fight

In the day's other games, there is a huge relegation tussle at Arminia Bielefeld against Eintracht Frankfurt with the clubs glaring at each other from either side of the relegation line.

Energie Cottbus entertain VfL Wolfsburg, with both sides in the hunt for a UEFA Cup place, while Nuremburg should beat mid-table Alemannia Aachen to try and move up one place into fifth to claim a European place.

Bottom-side Borussia Mönchengladbach face Hamburg at home on Friday night and despite their ominous position six-points adrift at the foot of the table, 53,000 tickets have already been sold as the fans show their support.