Cedric Teuchert can derail Lokomotiv's bid for Europa League berth

Champions League Group D
BT Sport 1, 5.55pm Tuesday

Lokomotiv Moscow need to win to have a chance of extending their stay in European competition into 2019 but the Russians are set to miss out on a Europa League spot.

Hosts Schalke have already qualified for the Champions League last 16 but can't finish in top spot. They are weakened by a number of injuries in the final third, although whether Loko are up to the task of taking advantage is seriously up for debate.

The Moscow men have not won any of their last 12 Champions League away matches dating back to 2002-03 and they lost by three goals on their trips to Galatasaray and Porto this season.

Schalke are missing four strikers and fielded an unusual front three for Saturday's 2-1 derby defeat to Borussia Dortmund - midfielders Weston McKennie and Alessandro Schopf and left-back Hamza Mendyl, who replaced the injured Guido Burgstaller.

Cedric Teuchert could return to boost that department and the young German Under-21 forward, who scored a hat-trick in a recent international against Ireland, is a lively goalscorer candidate.

Recommendation
C Teuchert first goalscorer
1pt 8-1 general

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Schalke
Strikers Guido Burgstaller, Franco Di Santo, Breel Embolo and Mark Uth are out, but they are hopeful one of Cedric Teuchert or Steven Skrzybski will lead the line.

Lokomotiv Moscow
Vedran Corluka is banned, while Aleksandr Kolomeytsev and Boris Rotenberg are injured.

Key stat
Schalke are unbeaten in their last eight European home games.

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