Schalke 04 vs Augsburg predicted XI: Oh, sweet redemption
By Josh Sippie
Defense
Since I’m predicting a 4-4-2, that means reverting to a centerback partnership instead of a centerback trio. The trio looked so woefully exposed against Dortmund that I really just don’t want to see it again any time soon.
Besides, our two best centerbacks are back to health, so we shouldn’t need a third guy in there, even though Nastasic has every right to feel he should be starting. He should. But if I was in charge, which I currently am in predicting, I would let Ozan Kabak and Salif Sane man the backline, as they are both so good and so reliable and trustworthy that to put anyone else in there really doesn’t help, it just muddles the lines a bit.
Plus, I just really want to see what Kabak and Sane can do together.
At fullback, don’t expect a change because there really isn’t much change to be had. Jonjoe Kenny will start on that right side and Bastian Oczipka will start on the left. They were both charred pieces of toast against Dortmund, but look for them to rebound against a much tamer Augsburg side.
The midfield is next, and it’s a pretty exciting midfield four.