Hertha Berlin are going to be a tough nut to crack, according to Schalke manager Felix Magath.

Berlin have won only one game this season, but Magatha claims that Berlin's poor form actually makes them a trickier opponent as the Royal Blues search for a win which could take them as high as second in the table with two games remaining before the league's winter break.

"Games against teams who are stuck in such a situation like Hertha are always uncomfortable," he predicted on his club's website.

"Hertha are like a wounded boxer - they are unpredictable.

"It is all about survival for them and therefore, the players will give everything.

"A team can grow beyond their means in moments of doubt, and they can cause upsets."

Berlin did just that in midweek as they won their second game in the UEFA Europa League to move to within a point of qualifying for the last 32.

In five European games, Friedhelm Funkel's side have accumulated two more points than they have in 14 Bundesliga matches this season and the former Eintracht Frankfurt coach is desperate to carry that kind of form over into the domestic league.

However, he knows Thursday's opponents Ventspils and Schalke are two completely different teams.

"With Kevin Kuranyi and Jefferson Farfan, Schalke have strikers of a different calibre to Ventspils," he said.

"Our defence has got to improve.

"We have nothing to lose against teams like this, but outsiders can also cause upsets."

Funkel is set to name the same team which won in Latvia on Wednesday, but Magath may make changes to the side which lost to Borussia Monchengladbach seven days ago.

Vicente Sanchez could return to the starting XI with Halil Altintop and Gerald Asamoah further options for the attack on the bench.