SCHALKE will be desperate to make amends for their Ruhr derby hammering when they bid to get back to winning ways against Augsburg.
Their fans could have been forgiven for wishing the Bundesliga had stayed in lockdown as they watched their side crash to a 4-0 defeat against rivals Borussia Dortmund last weekend.
From the moment Erling Haaland fired Dortmund into the lead, Schalke looked doomed to defeat and the dispiriting performance doesn't bode well for the rest of the campaign.
Their only win in the last 10 games came in extra time against Hertha Berlin in the German Cup so they look like a team on the slide.
Yet they somehow remain just two points off a Europa League slot so supporters will be demanding a much-improved display at home to lowly Augsburg.
Like Schalke, Augsburg also crashed to defeat in their first game back (below) but at least they went down with a fight. Daniel Ginczek's last-minute winner for Wolfsburg was harsh on Heiko Herrlich's men but I wasn't shedding too many tears as the 2-1 defeat brought up two of my tips.
They are now just four points clear of the relegation play-off place so another defeat here would leave Augsburg looking nervously over their shoulder.
How the bookies view it
Despite their dismal performance last weekend and poor recent form, Schalke are favourites for this one at a best 21/20 with VBet. An Augsburg win pays 14/5 with Betfair while the draw is 28/11 with VBet.
This is hard one to call but Augsburg don't have the same kind of firepower as Dortmund so if pushed I would go for a narrow home win.
Recent head to head
Schalke are unbeaten in their last eight games against Augsburg, winning four, so they should have an edge. Augsburg's only victory in their 18 meetings came five years ago and they have never won in Gelsenkirchen.
It was a thriller when these sides met earlier in the season, with Schalke winning 3-2 in Ausgburg thanks to a late Amine Harit goal. If you're looking for a long-odds bet then a 3-2 Schalke win at 28/1 with BetVictor could be worth a shout as that was also the score in a 2017 thriller.
Players to watch
Schalke midfielder Suat Serder has weighed in with a few goals this term, bagging seven, and is a decent 11/4 with Betfred for anytime scorer here.
I flagged up Florian Niederlechner as an Augsburg threat last weekend but it was defender Tin Jedvaj who grabbed their goal against Wolfsburg. Ruben Vargas started up front in that game so the Swiss striker looks overpriced at 5/1 with Paddy Power for a goal here.
Anything else catch the eye?
I can see goals in this one with both teams looking far from steady at the back. Both their games last weekend had over 2.5 goals and a repeat here pays 10/11 with most firms.
I can't see either team running away with it so the 11/8 Betway are offering on a one-goal winning margin appeals.
This German Bundesliga match between Schalke and Augsburg will be played on May 24, 2020 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Schalke vs Augsburg prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
