“Race to Avoid Relegation: Analysis of FC Augsburg, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Bochum, FC Schalke 04, and Hertha BSC”

Even Borussia Mönchengladbach, 1. FC Köln and Werder Bremen, who are currently in tenth, eleventh and twelveth place in the table, can still be relegated. But this idea is more of a theoretical nature. The danger in the next few places becomes more realistic. Relegation decisions are not yet made on the 31st match day – even if Hertha from Berlin can only achieve the relegation place on goal difference in the worst case scenario in the event of a defeat against VfB Stuttgart.

A look at the competitors, what speaks for them and what speaks against them.

FC Augsburg

13th place/31 points/39:55 goals
Pro FC Augsburg can fight relegation. The Bavarian Swabians have proven this again and again in recent years. In addition, home wins this year against Mönchengladbach, Leverkusen, Hoffenheim and Bremen give coach Enrico Maassen courage for the next happy ending.

Contra Actually, there is hardly anything that speaks against FCA, who still have everything in their own hands – despite tough home opponents like Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund. However, the absence of the injured international striker Mergim Berisha weakens the team. If he fails until the end of the season, things could get very tight. Without him, things get stuck at the front.

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

14th place/29 points/39:51 goals

Pro The squad with Andrej Kramaric, Ihlas Bebou and Sebastian Rudy has Bundesliga format. In addition, leading figure Grischa Prömel returns. In addition, the winning streak against Hertha BSC, Werder Bremen and Schalke 04 showed that there is more to the team than 14th place in the table would suggest.

Contra A change of coach has not put TSG on a stable course. André Breitenreiter had to go after nine games without a win. Under the successor Pellegrino Matarazzo there were five defeats, followed by three wins and a 1-1 draw at Bayern and two more bankruptcies. Two points is 1899 away from the relegation zone. The European Cup contenders Wolfsburg and Union Berlin are opponents in the final sprint.

VfB Stuttgart

15th place/28 points/38:52 goals

Pro The shape curve continues to point upwards. Under the direction of coach Sebastian Hoeneß, VfB have not yet suffered a defeat in the league. The new system is working, striker Serhou Guirassy is fit and accurate again and morale is right. Five out of six goals under Hoeneß came in the final quarter of an hour.

Contra VfB is still weak away from home. Stuttgart have only celebrated one win abroad this season and the away game at direct competitor Hertha BSC (see below) and at FSV Mainz 05 is now on the agenda. In addition, the VfB pros still often make individual mistakes that are punished.

VfL Bochum

16th place/28 points/33:67 goals

Pro Bochum were only twice in a direct relegation zone in the second half of the season and are the strongest team at home in the bottom third of the table. Even BVB couldn’t win on Castroper Strasse. In addition, VfL still plays against teams at eye level: Gladbach, Augsburg and Hertha. Contra With 33 goals, the Revierelf have the second weakest attack in the entire league and by far the worst goal difference.

FC Schalke 04

17th place/27 points/28:57 goals

Pro Two recent home wins are fueling hope for a conciliatory season finale. With a mentality like last time in the home game against Bremen (2-1), the team can make a difference.

Contra The rest of the program is the hardest of all. Of the four remaining games, three will take place away from home, where Schalke have hardly gotten anything recently. And the opponents are tough too: Mainz, Bayern, Leipzig and Frankfurt.

Hertha BSC

18th place/22 points/35:61 goals

Pro Not much speaks for the tail light. The rest of the program is a small glimmer of hope. The Berliners still play against Stuttgart and Bochum at home. With Stevan Jovetic and Chidera Ejuke, two offensive players are available again, who should liven up Hertha’s sluggish attacking game. Defensively, Hertha was stabilized against Bayern under new coach Pal Dardai.

Contra The gap to the relegation place is six points. Schalke is also five points away in 17th place. Hertha should probably get at least nine points from the last four games. In the 15 games this year there have only been eight together. The Berliners, who have not won in eight games, now have to score goals, but have been far too harmless in attack all season. Even in the more stable games, there are almost always goals against. dpa