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FC Augsburg – Schalke 04
March is already slowly coming to an end and the Bundesliga is gradually turning into the decisive phase of the season. The 25th matchday in the German top flight will be played this weekend. There are only ten matchdays left for the teams this year. On Saturday, a hot duel in the relegation battle will take place in Augsburg. The Fuggerstädter, who are strong at home, will meet the currently almost invincible Knappen at the WWK ARENA. Find out who will win this important duel in our Augsburg – Schalke tip.
In the last few weeks, FC Augsburg have freed themselves a little from the deepest relegation battle. Thanks to four home wins in a row, the Fuggerstädter have climbed to 13th place and are now seven points ahead of the relegation zone. The previous week, however, FCA lost 3:5 at Bayern.
The guests from Gelsenkirchen have not played like a relegation candidate at all so far in the second half of the season. Schalke have not lost a game in the league in seven matches and have recently climbed to 17th place in the table. The relegation to the 2nd Bundesliga, which many thought was already certain, is now anything but set in stone. S04 also did well in the Revier derby the previous week, thus defying Dortmund for a point.
Augsburg – Schalke info:
– Date & Time: 18/03/2023, 15:30 hrs.
– Venue: WWK ARENA, Augsburg
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 25
– TV broadcast: Sky
Augsburg Form & Balance Check
Augsburg FC have been stuck in the relegation battle for a long time this season with coach Enrico Maaßen. At the end of the first half of the season, the Fuggerstädter were mostly just above the line. FCA even remained winless in the Bundesliga for the last seven games before the winter break.
In the ninth year, however, the Fuggerstädter fought their way out of the dangerous zone thanks to their home strength. FCA have won all four of their Bundesliga home games so far in 2023, which means Augsburg are now seven points ahead of VfB Stuttgart in the relegation zone. With a win against Schalke, FCA would presumably rid themselves of all relegation worries. In the previous week, however, the Fuggerstädter lost to Bayern with 3:5.
Minimalism in the Fugger City
Despite their home strength, however, Augsburg score very few goals in their own stadium. In the first twelve games at the WWK ARENA, FCA fans celebrated just twelve of their club’s goals. With a total of 31 goals, Augsburg does not exactly have the most dangerous attack in the Bundesliga.
At home, however, FCA concedes very few goals. Augsburg have only conceded 16 goals on home turf so far. Since the beginning of November, the Fuggerstädter have never conceded more than one goal per home game. Goalkeeper Rafał Gikiewicz has also scored four times at home.
Augsburg facts & analysis
– Currently 13th in the Bundesliga with 27 points.
– Weakest home attack in the league
– Five times to nil in the Bundesliga
Schalke form & balance check
At the start of the season, Schalke got off to a promising start as the Knappen conceded just two defeats in their first six Bundesliga games. But then a series of six consecutive defeats followed and by the end of the year the Knappen found themselves back in last place in the league, with only nine points to their name.
At the beginning of the new year, S04’s misery continued. But under the leadership of coach Thomas Reis, the team has taken a turn for the better in the last seven games. In the previous week, Schalke even fought their way to a 2-2 draw against BVB in the Revierderby. With seven games without a defeat, Schalke are now in penultimate place in the table.
Salke like a changed team
In the last seven games, S04’s defence seems to have changed. While the team from Gelsenkirchen previously conceded an average of 2.41 goals per game, the Knappen have allowed just 0.42 goals per match in the last seven games.
Schalke’s offensive is also slowly shifting into third gear. S04 still have by far the worst offence in the league with 20 goals scored, but in the last few games the Royal Blues have become more cold-blooded in front of goal. In the last three games, Schalke scored six goals. Top scorer Bülter scored in each of those three matches.
Schalke facts & analysis
– Seven games in the league without defeat.
– Only 20 goals in 24 games
– One point behind Hertha in 15th place
Predicted line-up – last update on 16 March 2023
By now, Augsburg is very familiar with the 4-4-2. Irvin Cardona recently scored his first goal in the league against Bayern and thus recommended himself for a starting place in the forward line next to Mergim Berisha. Julian Baumgartlinger has also played his way into the central midfield of late. Hahn, Jensen, Strobl, Uduokhai and Oxford will be missing for FCA against Schalke due to injury.
We expect Schalke to play in a 4-2-3-1 again. The four-man defence is now well-rehearsed and doesn’t let much go to waste. Whether outfield players Kozuki and Skarke will return to the squad is rather unlikely. Polter, Drexler, Uronen and van den Berg are also still injured.
Augsburg – Schalke direct comparison & statistics
So far, the two opponents have played 22 competitive matches against each other and Schalke clearly have the edge. The Knappen have won eleven encounters with FCA. Augsburg, on the other hand, have only won three times against S04. However, the Fuggerstädter won the first leg 3:2.
– Last home win for Augsburg against Schalke on 13.12.2015
– Augsburg win 23% of halves, Schalke win 30%.
– When Augsburg lead 1-0 in home games, they win 81% of matches
– Schalke have failed to score in 6 of their 11 away games in the Bundesliga this season
