The WWK Arena will entertain two teams eager to get back on winning ways as Augsburg host Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Augsburg have had a modest start to their season but went on an impressive six-game unbeaten run, which Werder Bremen halted last weekend, with Borussia Dortmund up next. Their form has taken them into the ninth spot, as Jess Thorup harbours ambitions of finishing inside European places.
They are still around six points away from that spot. But a further increase in the gap would make life difficult for Augsburg to catch up. Thorup will undoubtedly welcome a return to home soil, where they have been very good this season, collecting 12 of their 17 points so far at the WWK Arena.
Heading into the weekend with lofty ambitions, they encounter a Borussia Dortmund side against whom Augsburg have a dismal record. They have conceded more goals against them in Bundesliga history than any other opponent, meaning a win or a draw will get favourable treatment from their fans.
December has proven disappointing for Borussia Dortmund, as they have failed to win any of their four games. Those include two clashes in the Bundesliga, with a 1-1 draw against leaders Bayer Leverkusen and a disappointing defeat away to RB Leipzig last weekend.
They have managed only a single victory in their last six Bundesliga games and are already 11 points behind leader Bayer Leverkusen. Edin Terzic has come under increasing pressure to deliver results and get back on track in the title race. However, Dortmund finishing top of their tough Champions League group may have given him some respite.
With two games left in this part of the season before the teams go on a one-month break, Dortmund will want to finish on a high note. Terzic would seek a significant response from his players against Augsburg and then later against Mainz in midweek to keep their chances of staying in the title race alive.
Team News & Tactics
FC Augsburg
Jess Thorup will make minor tweaks to his side depending on the availability of a few players. There are some concerns about the fitness of a few, with Raphael Framberger and Reece Oxford confirmed absentees for this clash against Borussia Dortmund.
Thorup also listed three more doubts, with Dion Beljo, Sven Michel and Iago all dealing with muscle problems, leading them to miss the clash against Werder Bremen. Michel has, however, returned to full training since. But the other two have only managed to train individually.
Hence, their involvement remains in doubt, while the experienced Michel might again find himself on the bench, a role he has taken up more this season. At the back, Thorup will consider reinstating Robert Gumny as the right-back, replacing Fulham loanee Kevin Mbabu.
The manager will unlikely change anyone from central midfield or the attacking setup. Top scorer Ermedin Demirovic will continue to stitch the attack together in the creative midfield role, as main striker Phillip Tietz will lead the line, hoping to end his four-game goal drought.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Dahmen; Gumny, Gouweleeuw, Uduokhai, Pedersen; Rexhbecaj, Dorsch; Jensen, Demirovic, Vargas; Tietz
Borussia Dortmund
Edin Terzic also has a share of absent players for this visit to Augsburg. Youssoufa Moukoko, Julien Duranville, Felix Nmecha and Julian Ryerson are all out of contention for this visit and the foreseeable future.
Mats Hummels will miss this one with a suspension, meaning Nico Schlotterbeck will come in his place. Terzic could also make one other change at the back by bringing in Thomas Meunier at right-back instead of Marius Wolf, who still has some issues with his ankle.
Beyond that, Terzic will have a decent enough squad to start against Augsburg, as he could shuffle his pack in midfield and the attacking third. A setup change could see Emre Can return to the base of midfield, as the manager might go with a more attacking approach against this opponent.
Midweek scorer Karim Adeyemi might start on the bench for this one, which could see Donyell Malen come back into the starting lineup. Marcel Sabitzer might also have a place, with Marco Reus and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens retaining their positions. Niclas Fullkrug and Malen will start in a two-prone strike partnership, as Terzic aims to maximise their goalscoring potential in an ultra-attacking system.
Probable Lineup (4-1-3-2): Kobel, Meunier, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Can; Reus, Sabitzer, Bynoe-Gittens; Fullkrug, Malen
Key Stats
- Augsburg have gained 12 points from losing position this season, the highest in the Bundesliga.
- Augsburg have not kept a clean sheet in their last 17 games in the Bundesliga, with the most recent coming in May.
- Borussia Dortmund have gained 11 points from losing positions, keeping them slightly behind Augsburg.
- Borussia Dortmund have conceded at least two goals in five of their last six matches in the Bundesliga.
- Borussia Dortmund have only lost one Bundesliga away game this season.
Player to Watch
Marco Reus
The veteran Borussia Dortmund attacker has found consistency and continuity this season after battling many injuries during the last few years. The club will hope he has a more significant impact this season. But the team needs his experience more than ever to get out of their current rut.
Reus must play a key role in Dortmund’s revival and potentially get back in the running for the title challenge. His numbers this season have been decent, but with the array of talents available in the attack at Dortmund, Reus can prove himself a handy outlet to help unlock defences, as a good performance against Augsburg will do him and the team a world of good.
Prediction
Augsburg 1-1 Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund have had an excellent record against Augsburg. But in the current vein of form, these teams can battle for a draw on Saturday. Neither side can be confident about winning this encounter as their form in different aspects suggests otherwise.
While Augsburg may have some momentum in the league, they do not perform well against Borussia Dortmund. Edin Terzic’s side have one victory in their last six Bundesliga games, which tells a different story. Hence, while both teams will look for three points, they will likely settle for one.
