Hello and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE text commentary of the Bundesliga clash between third-placed Bayern Munich and mid-table Schalke. Kick-off is 10 minutes away so let's have some quick team news.

Bayern Munich ease to a 3-1 victory over Schalke to close the gap on leaders Borussia Dortmund to five points.

Two minutes will be added on.

BAYERN SUB: Youngster Alphonso Davies has two minutes of normal time to impress. He replaces Gnabry.

YELLOW CARD! Bruma goes into the book for a cynical foul on Lewandowski. It smacks of frustration.

OVER! Goretza is determined to score against his former employers and not for the first time this evening he gets the execution horribly wrong. He chips the ball miles over the bar with a shot from 25 yards. Kimmich had made a run the length of the pitch on the overlap and is left furious with his team mate's selfishness.

Not prepared to rest on their laurels, Bayern are probing in search of a fourth goal.

BAYERN SUB: With a hectic schedule on the horizon, Niko Kovac makes his second switch. Off goes James, on comes Javi Martinez.

BLOCK! Sane gives the ball to Lewandowski in dangerous territory and the Bayern talisman has another opportunity to make sure of the points... but the Schalke defender makes amend with a crucial intervention.

HOW DOES HE MISS?! James slips through Lewandowski with a perfect pass but the Poland international fluffs his lines by curling the ball wide from point-blank range.

SCHALKE SUB: It's the end of the game for Kutucu, who marked his full debut with a goal. He's replaced by Mark Uth as the Schalke coach looks to inject some energy into his front-line.

Oczipka drills a really teasing low ball into the Bayern box but the hosts manage to clear it, albeit unconvincingly.

Schalke haven't looked like scoring since Bayern netted their third, but if they can somehow get going and find a second goal, well then who knows...

Ribery, who was recently voted Bayern's best ever foreign player, commits a foul with his first contribution.

BAYERN SUB: Franck Ribery made his return from injury in mid-week and he comes on to replace Coman for the remaining 20 minutes or so.

As it stands, Bayern will close the gap on leaders Dortmund to five points. The Bavarian giants are looking increasingly confident now and I wouldn't be surprised if they can find goal four and even five tonight.

What will Jurgen Klopp make of this performance? Of course, Liverpool play the reigning Bundlesliga champions in the Champions League later this month. He will have learnt that this Bayern side can be got at.

Schalke are twice denied by the woodwork within a matter of minutes - and then Bayern go up the other end and score their third. Football is all about fine margins.

Coman breezes past his marker to deliver a dangerous cross, finding Lewandowski who tries a spectacular bicycle-kick. He gets the execution wrong but the ball bounces kindly for Gnabry who finishes with a stooping header.

SCHALKE HIT THE WOODWORK, AGAIN! Ulreich is beaten this time - he can only watch on helplessly as Bruma heads the ball against the post.