Bayern Munich find themselves in an unusual position as they prepare to host Schalke 04 at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday evening.

After going through the first half of the Bundesliga season without losing a match, the champions returned from the winter break to suffer a shock 4-1 defeat to Wolfsburg.

It was a result which sent shockwaves through German football, and although the loss does little to suggest that Bayern won't lift the title again, it does force Pep Guardiola to ask questions of his squad.

Guardiola admitted that his side could have no arguments with the result, and he must now produce a reaction from the players as they look for a swift response.

The quick turnaround allows Bayern to put the disappointment behind them, and playing a day earlier than Wolfsburg gives them the chance to restore an 11-point advantage at the top of the table.

Major changes seem unlikely, but Guardiola could hand recalls to both Mario Gotze and Mehdi Benatia for the visit of Schalke, who are full of confidence heading into the difficult test.

Roberto Di Matteo's side started 2015 with a 1-0 win over Hannover on Saturday as Marco Hoger's first-half strike took them up to fourth, level on points with Borussia Monchengladbach.

However, with just seven points separating third and ninth, the Schalke boss will be fully aware that he can't allow the team's standards to drop, even at the home of the leaders.

Di Matteo will be forced into one change as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar starts his suspension after a red card against Hannover, and Kevin-Prince Boateng is set to replace the Dutchman.

Schalke are one of only four teams to take points off Bayern in the Bundesliga this season, and they will be hopeful of producing a similar performance to the one which earned them a 1-1 draw with the champions in August.

Bayern Munich:

Form in Bundesliga: WWWWWL
Form in all competitions: WWWWWL

Possible starting lineup: Neuer, Bernat, Benatia, Boateng, Alaba, Alonso, Gotze, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Robben, Lewandowski

Schalke:

Form in Bundesliga: WWLWDW
Form in all competitions: WWLWDW

Possible starting lineup: Giefer, Uchida, Fuchs, Howedes, Nastasic, Kirchoff, Meyer, Hoger, Neustadter, Boateng, Choupo-Moting

Sports Mole says: 2-0