FC Augsburg vs FC Schalke 04 — Tips & Analysis

Under 3: These two have a long habit of playing tight games, and that is where we start. The last 20 meetings averaged under 3 goals, and 8 of them finished level. Augsburg are steady rather than dangerous. They have won 7 of their last 15 games, but only 3 of their 6 at home. They score more than a goal a game and let in more than a goal a game. They are without Mounie and Breithaupt, which leaves them short of a natural centre forward. Schalke arrive with a good run behind them, having won 8 of their last 12 games. Six of those 8 wins came by a single goal, so they win small. They also came up from the second tier, and they are missing Hojlund, Karaman and Kalas, so their attack is thin too. Put two careful teams together on the opening weekend, with neither able to field a first choice striker, and the game usually stays quiet. A 1-1 is the likeliest score, and that suits us well. The worry is Augsburg's own recent games. 8 of their last 15 had 3 or more goals, and they let in more than a goal a game at their own ground. One early goal can pull this open. We still expect a low scoring game.