Schalke 04 vs FC Augsburg Betting Tips and Predictions

Schalke 04 ended their four game winnless streak in the Bundesliga with a solid 3-1 win over relegated Hannover 96 last Saturday, which moved them back to 6th place in the Bundesliga and within the UEFA Europa League qualification spots. Schalke have taken just four points from their last five (W1 D1 L3), ableit in a series of difficult fixtures against Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, but they still have a two point cushion above Mainz 05 in seventh and trail only one point behind both Borussia M’gladbach in fourth and Hertha BSC in fifth. Schalke still, therefore, have hope of reaching the UEFA Champions League qualification places by the end of the season, though two tricky fixtures remaining against in-form sides FC Augsburg and TSG Hoffenheim lie ahead.

FC Augsburg come into this fixture as the more in-form side having taken 10 points from their last five games (W3 D1 L1), drawing 0-0 last time out against FC Koln. Augsburg remain twelfth place in the Bundesliga, four points and three places above the danger of the relegation zone. Coach Markus Weinzierl will be searching for a win from his in-form side, which would guarantee Augsburg another season in the top-flight, and he has every reason to be optimistic given their strong performances over the last four games.

FC Augsburg may be at the peak of their form from this season but the Veltins-Arena has proven a tough venue for visitors. Schalke 04 have been defeated only once in their last seven at home (W3 D3 L1), this loss being to the most in-form side in the league, Bayer Leverkusen. Schalke also haven’t failed to score in a match at home since last October. Schalke have scored an average of two goals per game over their last nine home matches, in which they have taken a total of 17 from a possible 21 points, and hence come into this match as strong favourites. Augsburg have scored in 94% of their away matches this season, however, so we should expect goals at both ends in this match. This is further reinforced when we see that from Schalke’s solid record, they have conceded in most of their home wins and draws also (see both teams to score statistics below). Combining this analysis with the statistics below, we expect the past trends and Schalke’s home form to be too much for Augsburg, but Augsburg to get themselves a consolation goal. Hence, Schalke 04 or draw and both teams to score seems the safe bet, while Schalke to win 2-1 at 15/2, which is Schalke’s most common home result, seems the top value correct score bet for this match.

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