Augsburg-Schalke 04 betting preview
Augsburg face a make-or-break situation when they host Schalke in an early of kick-off in the Bundesliga on this Friday. Both the teams are after a UEFA Champions League berth. Schalke, who is fourth in the league with 44 points, is the favourites to win it. They are level on points with the third-placed Bayer Leverkusen. Augsburg is six points behind them. Leverkusen’s recent struggles offer hopes for both the teams.
This is a must-win match for Augusburg. It will help them cut the deficit to three points. On the other hand, a loss would make the Champions League entry near impossible as well. Schalke also need to win this match. However, with Leverkusen playing against Bayern in this weekend, even a draw could possibly take them to the third position.
Schalke 04 have a terrific H2H record against Augsburg, winning four and drawing two of the last six matches. Still, if any time Augsburg look like registering their first win, it is now. They are on a great run in the last four months or so: seven wins, five draws and a single loss. Their last home defeat was in October last year.
Schalke’s thumping 4-0 win over Hoffenheim last week erased memories of the mauling they received from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Another confident win would make them the best candidate for the third place – or even the runners-up title.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar had a great match against Hoffenheim, scoring three goals. It could have been four had he scored a penalty in the first half. Kevin-Prince Boateng and Julian Draxler will set the stage for him to perform. Their first choice defenders, Felipe Santana and Atsuto Uchida, are still recovering from injury.
Augsburg too will miss their regulars Daniel Baier and Paul Verhaegh due to injury. Their strikers André Hahn and Halil Altintop will look for another scalp at home.
Augsburg-Schalke 04 Prediction
Over 2.5 Goals 1.72 @ Bet365.com
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