FC Augsburg vs. FC Schalke 04 preview: Relegation fighters close opening matchweek
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Schalke will face Augsburg away from home in their first game back in Bundesliga. The Royal Blues are back in Germany’s top-flight after winning last season’s 2. Bundesliga.
FC Augsburg
The Bavarians are entering their 16th consecutive Bundesliga season as they’re yet to get relegated. Manuel Baum’s return was a big factor in keeping that streak last season, and the 46-year-old will now target an even better campaign.
Baum, who previously coached Augsburg for three seasons, is now appointed permanently. The hosts were busy with potential departures this summer as both Chrislain Matsima and Mert Kömür are set to stay at the club after failed transfers to Premier League clubs.
Team News
The new number 10 Kömür was only a late substitute in the cup win over Energie Cottbus, but he could now return to the starting lineup. Summer signing Calvin Brackelmann is a candidate to replace Kevin Schlotterbeck after the defender completed his move to Southampton.
FC Schalke 04
Meanwhile, Schalke’s biggest move of the summer was extending Edin Džeko’s contract. The 40-year-old striker had a remarkable performance off the bench against Hallescher in the DFB-Pokal last week with a brace and an assist.
The traditional club was immediately relegated back to 2. Bundesliga the last time they won promotion. If they repeat last season’s strong defensive numbers, they could avoid that fate this time around. However, pre-season results and the cup tie against the Regionalliga side suggested otherwise.
Team News
Dejan Ljubičić is set to start after playing down rumors linking him with a move to LASK. New signings Robin Gosens and Junior Dina Ebimbe are candidates for the starting lineup, while Džeko is about to play his first Bundesliga game since December 2010.
Head-to-head
Baum was unable to win any of his first four games against Schalke. Augsburg’s coach is also winless in his ten-game stint at Schalke at the start of the 2020/21 season. The Bavarians won 3-0 the last time the two clubs met in the second round of the DFB-Pokal a couple of years ago.
Predicted Lineups
Click here to find the predicted lineups for FC Augsburg vs. Schalke 04.
