## FC Augsburg and FC Schalke 04: Relegation Battle Heats Up in DFB-Pokal Clash **FC Augsburg and FC Schalke 04 - two former Bundesliga stalwarts - will face off in the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday, January 31. With both teams currently languishing in the 2. Bundesliga, this match takes on added significance as a potential turning point in their respective seasons.** Augsburg, currently 14th in the league table, has struggled for consistency this season. They have won only six of their 18 matches and have drawn six. Their recent form has been particularly disappointing. They have lost three of their last five games, including a 4-1 defeat to Hamburger SV last weekend. Schalke, meanwhile, is 13th in the table with 21 points from 18 matches. They have won six, drawn three, and lost nine this season. Their form has been more consistent than Augsburg's, but they have failed to win any of their last four games. **The DFB-Pokal is a knockout competition. The winner of this match will advance to the next round. The loser will be eliminated from the competition.** For both Augsburg and Schalke, this match is a chance to salvage something from a disappointing season. A win would give them a boost of confidence and could help them turn their league form around. **The match will be played at the WWK Arena in Augsburg. Kick-off is at 18:30 CET.** ### Key Players **FC Augsburg** * **Daniel Caligiuri (midfielder)** * **Florian Niederlechner (striker)** * **Robert Gumny (defender)** **FC Schalke 04** * **Simon Terodde (striker)** * **Rodrigo Zalazar (midfielder)** * **Maya Yoshida (defender)** ### Prediction **This is a difficult match to predict. Both teams are in poor form, and both are desperate for a win.** Augsburg has the home advantage but Schalke has the better squad on paper. I think Schalke will edge this one out by a narrow margin. They have more quality in their team and they will be looking to make a statement after four winless games. **Prediction: FC Schalke 04 to win 2-1.**
