Bayern Munich will begin a run of nine games in 30 days with the visit of Schalke to the Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

They head into the game unbeaten in their last seven outings, and will be hoping to preserve the run for as long as possible with big games in the Champions League and German Cup on the horizon.

But although they face a daunting trip to Juventus on Tuesday, the Bundesliga has always been Bayern's priority, and the visit of the Royal Blues from Gelsenkirchen is always a guarantee of a full house, if not necessarily three points.

Since 1997, Bayern have only got the better of their Westphalian opponents on three occasions in Munich, most recently in last season's 2-1 success.

A glance at the league table - which shows that Schalke are yet to take a point on their travels this season - suggests an easier ride this year, but under new coach Ralf Rangnick the visitors have recently hit form and will be looking to close the five-point gap between the two clubs.

Since taking over the reins from Jupp Heynckes a fortnight ago, Rangnick has led Schalke into the group stages of the UEFA Cup and claimed three points in his first Bundesliga fixture in charge to disperse the negative gloom surrounding the club recently.

That has been achieved without the services of Brazilian striker Ailton, but Rangnick has now been boosted with the return of last season's Bundesliga top scorer after a four-match suspension during which he spent some time-out with his family in Brazil.

And Bayern know all about the 31-year-old's talents after he helped inflict a 3-1 defeat upon the then defending champions last season, handing the title to Werder Bremen.

Bayern coach Felix Magath would certainly wish to have him in his own squad this weekend as he faces a serious striker shortage.

Roque Santa Cruz and Alexander Zickler are both unavailable through injury and Claudio Pizarro is likely to miss out with a muscle problem, leaving only Roy Makaay and Vahid Hashemian at Magath's disposal.

"I don't expect Claudio to play," said Magath on Thursday.

But Hashemian, on the other hand, could make a return to the starting XI to partner Makaay after his brace for Iran in midweek.

"I'm convinced that the two goals he scored will give him the added self-confidence and he is an alternative," Magath said.

Bayern's other option is to play with a five-man midfield with Sebastian Deisler supporting lone-striker Roy Makaay - a system used against champions Bremen as Bayern took a 2-1 win earlier this season.

For Schalke, Rangnick is demanding "courage and incision" from his players, saying "it's the only way you have a chance in Munich."

And that goes for Ailton as well, if he can convince the coach that he is match fit.

"If Ailton is fit, then he will play," said Rangnick.

Otherwise Ebbe Sand, Gerald Asamoah and Mike Hanke will battle it out for the two available positions in attack.

Injured duo Lincoln and Fabian Lamotte will not make the trip south.