Augsburg vs. Schalke: Probable line-ups and match stats

With Augsburg mathematically out of the relegation scrap, all eyes will be on Schalke, who are yet to officially seal their ticket to next year's UEFA Champions League and could still lose their hard-earned second place in the table on Saturday (kick-off 3:30pm CEST / 1:30pm GMT / 09:30am EST).

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Augsburg have confirmed that Switzerland international Marwin Hitz will leave the club at the end of the season and although the goalkeeper's destination remains unknown, he will no doubt wat try to end his time in Bavaria on a high after five seasons of loyal service. While they still have a mathematical chance of finishing in the UEFA Europa League qualification spots, FCA's focus realistically lies on building for next season. After scoring against Hertha Berlin, Venezuelan sensation Sergio Cordova is likely to play again against Schalke at the very least off the bench as Marcel Heller's red card last week will limit Manuel Baum's attacking choices.

Schalke travel to Augsburg looking to confirm their return to the Champions League for the first time in four seasons. With a six-point advantage over fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, it seems unlikely that Domenico Tedesco's men won't be playing against the very best in Europe next season, but they remain under pressure from local rivals Borussia Dortmund and even in the hunt for second. Nabil Bentaleb's suspension could open the door for USA international Weston McKennie in the Royal Blue midfield. Yevhen Konoplyanka looks likely to partner Guido Burgstaller up front once more.

Probable line-ups

Augsburg: Hitz – Schmid, Gouweleeuw, Hinteregger, Max – Khedira, Baier – Richter, Gregoritsch, Caiuby – Finnbogason (c)
Absentees: Opare (not considered), Framberger (ankle), Jakob (knee), Heller (suspended), Koo (knee)
Coach: Manuel Baum 

Schalke: Fährmann (c) – Stambouli, Naldo, Kehrer – Schöpf, Goretzka, McKennie, Caligiuri – Harit – Burgstaller, Konoplyanka
Absentees: Nastasic (knee), Meyer (not considered), Bentaleb (suspended), Embolo (thigh)
Coach: Domenico Tedesco

Match stats

• Michael Gregoritsch set a club record for most goals in a single season (13) with his strike against Hertha.
• Gregoritsch and Finnbogason have scored over half Augsburg’s goals in 2017/18 (25 of 42).
• Augsburg have won only one of 13 Bundesliga meetings with Schalke (D5, L7).
• Burgstaller leads the Schalke scoring charts with 10 goals.
• Schalke defender Naldo is set to make his 350th Bundesliga appearance.
• Youth academy product Meyer made 146 Bundesliga appearances for Schalke.