Bayern Munich are set to resume their Bundesliga campaign after the final international break of 2025 with a home game against Augsburg.
While Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga dominance did come to an end last season, the German giants are back at their best and are top of the table as they gear up to host Augsburg who find themselves 13th on the points table following an inconsistent start.
Bayern are the only unbeaten team in the German top flight. They have won eight and drawn two out of their 10 outings. They have a five-point cushion over second-placed RB Leipzig and will look to ensure they maintain the lead.
Vincent Kompany’s team have won each of their last four league games. They are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-0 win over FC St. Pauli prior to the break, it wasn’t the most clinical performance and they will be looking to put up a better show as they gear up for the Champions League fixtures against PSG on Tuesday.
The visitors have accumulated 12 points in their ten outings thanks to three wins, three draws and four defeats. They might have failed to win their last two league games but the positive for them is that they have been unbeaten in their last three.
Augsburg are heading into this fixture on the back of a 7-0 win over FC Ingolstadt 04 in a friendly fixture during the break. While it will give them some added confidence, they are going up against the best team in Germany and it won’t be easy for sure. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
Vincent Kompany will be without the services of Hiroki Ito, Josip Stanisic, Sven Ulreich and Joao Palhinha. While Aleksandar Pavlovic is closing in on a return, they might not risk him in this fixture.
Bayern will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation where Manuel Neuer will be in goal. Raphael Guerreiro and Alphonso Davies should be the full-backs while Dayot Upamecano should partner Kim Min-jae in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Joshua Kimmich could form the double pivot alongside Leon Goretzka. The duo will look to shield the back line and more importantly, control the tempo of the game.
Jamal Musiala will be the number ten with Michael Olise and Kingsley Coman taking charge on the flanks. England skipper Harry Kane should continue to lead the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Guerreiro, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Coman; Kane
FC Augsburg
The visitors will be without the services of Reece Oxford, Tim Breithaupt and Fredrik Jensen. Apart from the trio, everyone else is expected to be available for this away fixture.
Augsburg will line up in a 3-5-2 formation where Nediljko Labrovic will be in goal. The back three will be made up of Chrislain Matsima, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Keven Schlotterbeck.
They will look to keep things tight at the back and will receive valuable support from Marius Wolf and Dimitris Giannoulis who will feature as the wing-backs.
In the centre of the park, Kristijan Jakic will start alongside Frank Onyeka and Arne Maier. The trio will look to ensure that Bayern midfielders do not dominate the ball too deep in their half. In attack, Phillip Tietz should partner in form, Alexis Claude Maurice.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Labrovic; Matsima, Gouweleeuw, Schlotterbeck; Wolf, Onyeka, Jakic, Maier, Giannoulis; Claude-Maurice, Tietz
Key Stats
- Bayern and Augsburg have faced each other 61 times. The home team have won 43 of those meetings while the visitors have 12 wins to their name.
- Vincent Kompany’s team had completed a double over the visitors last season.
- The Bavarians have scored 16 goals in their last four outings against Fuggerstädter.
- Bayern have been unbeaten in their last 10 home games against Augsburg, they have won nine of those fixtures.
- Augsburg are winless in their last eight away matches, they have lost seven of those games.
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
Kane has been on fire ever since he arrived in Germany. He has only gone from strength to strength over the last 18 months and will be the one to watch out for against Augsburg. He already has 17 goals and nine assists in his 16 outings this season and will be eager to add to it on Friday night.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-0 FC Augsburg
Augsburg might have been unbeaten in their last three league outings but they will be going up against a team that has been on fire since the start of the season. Bayern have won the majority of their matches without much difficulty and they are not expected to have a problem against the visitors. The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 3-0 win for the home team.
