Bayer Leverkusen will aim to put the pressure at the top of the Bundesliga standings against Augsburg this weekend.
Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen travel to the WWK Arena on Saturday to face an improving FC Augsburg side on Saturday. With 13 matches played, the hosts currently sit in 13th place with 16 points, while Leverkusen, in third, boast 26 points and trail league leaders Bayern Munich by six. Both sides come into this encounter aiming to build on their recent performances in what promises to be a compelling clash.
Augsburg’s 2-2 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend offered plenty of positives for Jess Thorup’s men. The Fuggerstädter matched their title-contending opponents in terms of big chances created, demonstrating defensive discipline and attacking potential in equal measure. Thorup labelled the performance “a step in the right direction,” as his team showed balance at both ends of the pitch.
Despite their improved display, Augsburg have won just one of their last five Bundesliga matches, a run that highlights the inconsistency plaguing their season. Their struggles in front of goal remain a concern, with just four goals scored in their past five outings, including two goalless games. However, their home form has been a bright spot, with the team unbeaten in their last four matches at the WWK Arena, including three wins.
FC Augsburg’s defensive organisation and strong home performances will provide a platform to test a high-flying Bayer Leverkusen side, but they will need more firepower in attack to cause an upset.
Bayer Leverkusen enter the contest in scintillating form, having won their last six matches across all competitions. This includes a hard-fought 2-1 victory over St. Pauli in the Bundesliga and a dramatic 1-0 triumph over Inter Milan in the Champions League, secured by Nordi Mukiele’s last-minute winner. Xabi Alonso praised his side’s discipline and tactical awareness against Inter, lauding their maturity and ability to control the game’s critical moments.
Leverkusen’s recent run has been underpinned by their attacking firepower and defensive solidity. They’ve netted 16 goals in their last six games while conceding just four, keeping three clean sheets in the process. This consistency marks a stark contrast to their early-season struggles and underscores their status as title contenders.
Away from home, Die Schwarzroten have proven difficult to beat, recording two wins, four draws, and just one defeat in their last seven matches on the road. With momentum on their side, Alonso’s men will look to extend their winning streak and keep pace with Bayern Munich in the title race. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
FC Augsburg
Jess Thorup is expected to opt for a 3-5-2 formation to balance defensive solidity and attacking support. In goal, Nediljko Labrovic is set to deputise for the potentially unavailable Finn Dahmen. Samuel Essende and Dimitrios Giannoulis are doubtful for the game while Fredrik Jensen, Reece Oxford, and Mads Pedersen are expected to miss out.
The back three will likely consist of Chrislain Matsima, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, and Keven Schlotterbeck, who will anchor the defence and aim to contain Bayer Leverkusen’s potent attack.
In midfield, Kristijan Jakic is expected to take on the role of a defensive midfielder, providing cover for the backline while linking play with the advanced midfielders. He will be supported by Frank Onyeka and Elvis Rexhbecaj, who will add energy, ball progression, and creativity to the centre of the pitch.
On the flanks, Henri Koudossou and Marius Wolf are likely to occupy the wing-back roles, tasked with providing width and supporting both defensive and offensive transitions. Up front, Alexis Claude-Maurice and Phillip Tietz are expected to lead the attack, forming a partnership that will look to exploit Leverkusen’s defensive line with their movement and link-up play.
This setup emphasises defensive organization while allowing FC Augsburg to transition quickly into attack, as they aim to frustrate Bayer Leverkusen and capitalise on any opportunities that arise.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Labrovic; Matsima, Gouweleeuw, Schlotterbeck; Wolf, Onyeka, Jakic, Rexhbecaj, Koudossou; Claude-Maurice, Tietz
Bayer Leverkusen
The Bundesliga holders head into their clash against Augsburg with some key absences. Forward Amine Adli remains sidelined with a long-term injury and is not expected to return until March 2025.
Additionally, Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface, both pivotal players in Leverkusen’s attacking setup, are out until January, leaving Xabi Alonso with fewer options in the forward line. Despite these setbacks, the Bundesliga champions boast considerable depth, which Alonso will look to utilize as they aim for another victory.
Xabi Alonso is expected to deploy a 3-4-3 formation, designed to provide defensive stability while maintaining a high level of attacking fluidity. In goal, Lukas Hradecky will retain his position as the reliable last line of defence. The back three is set to feature Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah, and Piero Hincapie, forming a robust defensive unit to counter Augsburg’s attacking threats.
In midfield, wing-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo will play pivotal roles on the flanks, offering width and supporting both defence and attack. The central midfield pairing of Robert Andrich and Granit Xhaka will focus on controlling the tempo, breaking up opposition plays, and initiating attacking transitions.
The attacking trio will include Florian Wirtz, Patrik Schick, and Nathan Tella. Florian Wirtz is expected to operate in a free role, linking midfield with attack, while Patrik Schick leads the line as the central striker. Nathan Tella, deployed on the wing, will look to use his pace and creativity to trouble Augsburg’s defence.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Schick, Tella
Key Stats
- FC Augsburg have picked up just 0.5 points per Bundesliga game on average against Bayer Leverkusen, their worst return against any team. They have won only two of their 26 meetings (D7, L17), with both victories coming in the 2022/23 season. Last season, Leverkusen claimed two narrow wins (1-0 away, 2-1 home).
- Augsburg have lost only one of their last six Bundesliga games (3-0 to Bayern Munich), with two wins and three draws (W2, D3). They have 16 points after 13 matchdays, a tally they have bettered only once in the last six top-flight campaigns (17 points in 2023/24).
- Bayer Leverkusen have won three Bundesliga games in a row for the first time this season. This contrasts sharply with their earlier form, where they managed just three wins in their previous nine matches combined (D5, L1). Leverkusen have celebrated 22 top-flight wins in 2024, and a 23rd would set a new club record.
- Augsburg have collected 14 points at home in the Bundesliga this season, a tally bettered only by Borussia Dortmund (19) and Bayern Munich (16). This is their best home form since 2014/15 when they secured 15 points from their first seven home matches of a top-flight campaign. Augsburg have claimed 10 points from their last four home games (W3 D1) and kept back-to-back clean sheets on home soil for the first time since early 2023.
- Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 23 Bundesliga away games (W17 D6), a streak only FC Bayern Munich have surpassed with their record of 33 unbeaten away games (2012–2014). Leverkusen have scored in all 23 of these matches, an ongoing club record.
Player to Watch
Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz continues to establish himself as one of the brightest young talents in European football and is undoubtedly the player to watch as Bayer Leverkusen face Augsburg. The 21-year-old German playmaker has been a key figure for Leverkusen this season, pulling the strings in midfield with his vision, technical ability, and creativity.
Wirtz has an uncanny ability to read the game, often finding pockets of space to exploit and delivering pinpoint passes that unlock opposition defences. His composure on the ball and decision-making in the final third make him a constant threat, whether he’s setting up his teammates or scoring himself.
With Leverkusen missing key attackers like Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface, Wirtz’s influence will be even more critical. He has consistently stepped up in big games, and his ability to dictate the tempo, create chances, and link up with the likes of Patrik Schick and Nathan Tella will be vital against a defensively solid Augsburg side.
If Wirtz can find his rhythm and dominate the midfield, Leverkusen will have a strong chance of maintaining their winning streak and keeping the pressure on Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga title race. Expect him to be at the heart of every significant attacking move for Die Werkself.
Prediction
FC Augsburg 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen
While Augsburg’s improved defensive performances and strong home form will provide a stern test for Leverkusen, the visitors’ quality and momentum should ultimately prove decisive. Expect Bayer Leverkusen’s attacking depth, led by their dynamic forwards and midfielders, to exploit Augsburg’s vulnerabilities and secure a comfortable victory.
Leverkusen’s class and experience should see them extend their impressive run as they keep the pressure on Bayern at the top of the table. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Xabi Alonso and his charges.
