Augsburg take on the visitors Schalke in the round 1/16-finals of German DFB Pokal. The match will be played on Tuesday, October 29th at WWK Arena (Augsburg).
In their last Bundesliga match, Augsburg defeated German giant Borussia Dortmund on home turf. Despite trailing during the game, a brace by Claude Maurice helped Jess Thorup’s side secure a long-awaited victory. This win has allowed Augsburg to move up to 12th place with 10 points, extending their cushion over the relegation zone to five points. However, Augsburg’s defensive issues remain a concern, with the team conceding 19 goals in 8 games — the third-highest in the league. In the DFB-Pokal, they previously advanced by defeating Viktoria Berlin 4-1 away in the first round back in late August. Ahead of their cup clash with Schalke 04, Thorup praised the team’s atmosphere and noted their newfound confidence following the weekend victory.
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Schalke 04’s struggles have been profound in recent seasons. Relegated to Bundesliga 2 in 2020-21, they bounced back only to face relegation again. This season, their second consecutive in Bundesliga 2, has been particularly challenging. After a disappointing start, the club’s management replaced head coach Karel Geraerts with Dutch specialist Kees van Wonderen, but the new coach is yet to deliver results. Schalke has suffered two losses in the first two games under his leadership, placing them 15th, dangerously close to the relegation zone. With only two wins this season and 24 goals conceded, they hold the second-worst defensive record in the league. Schalke advanced to the second round of the DFB-Pokal by beating fourth-division side Aalen 2-0 away.
The DFB-Pokal is not Schalke’s primary objective this season as they focus on resolving internal issues and navigating their league struggles. Augsburg, on the other hand, is hungry for more success after their recent upset and aims to progress further in the cup. At home, Augsburg has been solid, with three wins, one draw, and just one loss in five games this season. Their squad also boasts greater quality across the lines, giving them a significant edge. Schalke, conversely, has been poor on the road, ranking third-worst in Bundesliga 2 for away performances. Thorup's experience could be a decisive factor, as he has prepared his team thoroughly and warned them against underestimating their opponent.
Prediction for the match: Augsburg to win with -1.0 handicap.
