Augsburg will welcome RB Leipzig to the WWK Arena in the early Bundesliga fixture this week.
The Bundesliga returns on Friday night as FC Augsburg look to upset RB Leipzig’s UEFA Champions League qualification hopes when the two sides meet at WWK Arena. While Leipzig currently sit in fourth place with 36 points, just one point ahead of fifth-placed VfB Stuttgart, Augsburg occupy 12th place with 27 points.
Both teams have had mixed form recently, with FC Augsburg struggling in front of goal but showing strong defensive resilience, while RB Leipzig are battling inconsistency, particularly in away matches.
Augsburg’s goalless draw against FSV Mainz 05 last weekend was another sign of their offensive struggles. They failed to create a single big chance, while Mainz generated four, making them fortunate to escape with a point. Manager Jess Thorup will be concerned about his team’s 24 league goals this season — the lowest tally among the top 12 clubs — as well as their league-worst expected goals (xG) metric.
However, Augsburg’s defence has been impressive in recent games. They have only conceded three goals in their last six Bundesliga outings, keeping three clean sheets in that time. Despite this solid run, their total of 35 goals conceded this season ranks them joint-fourth worst among the top 14 teams in the league.
Augsburg have gone three matches without a win (two draws, one defeat), but prior to that, they had won three consecutive games. Their only defeat in the last six matches came in the DFB-Pokal against Stuttgart on February 4.
At WWK Arena, Augsburg have been relatively solid, winning six of their ten home matches, drawing two, and losing three. However, they have lost two of their last three home fixtures, which will be a concern ahead of Leipzig’s visit.
RB Leipzig returned to winning ways last weekend, securing a 2-0 victory over St. Pauli despite playing the final 21 minutes with ten men after Willi Orban’s red card. Impressively, Leipzig restricted St. Pauli to just two shots inside the penalty area after going a man down.
Marco Rose’s men will hope for a repeat of their 4-0 thrashing of FC Augsburg in the reverse fixture on September 28, a game in which they were four goals up by the 57th minute. However, Leipzig’s position in the table is under serious threat. They are only one point ahead of Stuttgart, while seventh-placed Mainz are just four points behind them. A poor result here could see them slip out of the Champions League spots altogether.
Leipzig have kept two consecutive clean sheets in the Bundesliga, but prior to that, they conceded 14 goals in five games, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities. They have been inconsistent, with a record of one win, one loss, and three draws in their last five league matches.
A major concern for Rose will be Leipzig’s dismal away record. In their last ten away games, they have suffered seven defeats, drawn two, and won just one. This form must improve if they are to secure a top-four finish. 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
Augsburg face significant injury concerns heading into this fixture, with several key players ruled out. Defensive stalwarts Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, Mads Valentin Pedersen, and Robert Gumny have all been sidelined, forcing manager Jess Thorup to rethink his backline setup.
Additionally, Chrislain Matsima and Keven Schlotterbeck are doubts due to illness, which could further weaken Augsburg’s defensive structure. As a result, Cedric Zesiger, David Deger, and Noahkai Banks may form a makeshift back three.
In attack, Augsburg will also be without striker Mergim Berisha and midfielder Yusuf Kabadayi, both of whom are unavailable due to injury. Their absence means Arne Maier and Frank Onyeka could start in a double pivot, providing stability in midfield, while Samuel Essende leads the line.
Augsburg are expected to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Finn Dahmen starting in goal. The defensive trio is likely to consist of Cedric Zesiger, David Deger, and Noahkai Banks, forming a compact defensive shape to counter Leipzig’s attacking threats.
The wing-backs, Marius Wolf on the right and Dimitris Giannoulis on the left, will play key roles in both defensive coverage and supporting attacks. In midfield, Arne Maier and Frank Onyeka will operate centrally, tasked with breaking up Leipzig’s build-up play and launching counter-attacks.
Further forward, Alexis Claude-Maurice and Fredrik Jensen will serve as the attacking midfield duo, looking to supply service to the lone striker Samuel Essende, who will spearhead the FC Augsburg attack against RB Leipzig.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Dahmen; Zesiger, Deger, Banks; Wolf, Maier, Onyeka, Giannoulis; Jensen, Claude-Maurice; Essende
RB Leipzig
Leipzig will be forced into several changes, particularly in defence, as they deal with suspensions and injuries. Willi Orban is unavailable due to suspension, while Benjamin Henrichs has been ruled out for the rest of the season. As a result, El Chadaille Bitshiabu, Lutsharel Geertruida, and Castello Lukeba are likely to form a makeshift back three.
In midfield, Amadou Haidara and Kevin Kampl are expected to start as the central midfield duo, given that Forzan Assan Ouedraogo and Xaver Schlager are still recovering from fitness concerns and are unlikely to feature in the starting lineup.
As for the attack, Yussuf Poulsen has been ruled out until early March, but Leipzig will be relieved that their regular forward pairing of Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda is fit and available. The duo will be crucial in leading the attacking line as Leipzig look to break down Augsburg’s defensive setup.
Leipzig are set to line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Peter Gulacsi in goal. The defensive trio will consist of Lutsharel Geertruida, El Chadaille Bitshiabu, and Castello Lukeba, aiming to provide defensive solidity despite recent injuries and suspensions.
On the flanks, Ridle Baku will take up the right-wing-back role, while David Raum will operate on the left. Both players will be essential in stretching Augsburg’s defensive structure and providing width in attack.
In midfield, Amadou Haidara and Kevin Kampl will control the central areas, offering defensive coverage while facilitating Leipzig’s build-up play. Just ahead of them, Xavi Simons will serve as the attacking midfielder, tasked with creating chances for Leipzig’s strike force.
Up front, Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda will be Leipzig’s primary goal threats. Openda, in particular, has been in fine form and will be looking to exploit Augsburg’s vulnerabilities. Sesko will provide a physical presence and aerial ability, complementing Openda’s pace and movement.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Gulacsi; Geertruida, Bitshiabu, Castello; Baku, Haidara, Kampl, Raum; Simons; Sesko, Openda
Key Stats
- Augsburg are winless in their last 16 competitive matches against RB Leipzig (D5 L11), marking their longest ongoing wait for a victory against any team in professional football.
- Augsburg have drawn their last three home matches against Leipzig in the Bundesliga. Their only top-flight victory over Leipzig came at home — a 1-0 win in September 2017.
- Augsburg’s 27 points from 21 games is their highest tally at this stage in seven years (31 points from 21 games in 2017/18). They also boast the best defence in 2025, having conceded just three goals so far this calendar year.
- Leipzig’s 2-0 win over St. Pauli secured their 10th clean sheet of the season, a joint league-high alongside Bayern Munich. Leipzig have never managed more than 10 clean sheets in the first 21 Bundesliga games, having previously achieved this feat in 2020/21 and 2018/19.
- RB Leipzig are winless in their last four away games (D2 L2) and have never endured a longer wait for an away win in the Bundesliga under Marco Rose.
- Augsburg’s eight points from their first four games in the second half of the Bundesliga season is a new club record. Only Bayern Munich have claimed more points in this period (12).
Player to Watch
Xavi Simons
Simons has already racked up seven goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga this season, making him Leipzig’s most productive midfielder. His ability to break defensive lines, carry the ball forward, and create goalscoring opportunities makes him a key figure in Marco Rose’s attacking setup.
Against Augsburg’s well-organised defence, Simons’s dribbling and vision will be Leipzig’s best weapon to unlock the backline. With Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko leading the attack, Simons will have the perfect strike partners to exploit any gaps in the opposition’s defensive shape.
Additionally, with Leipzig’s midfield missing Xaver Schlager and Forzan Assan Ouedraogo, more responsibility will fall on Simons to link midfield with attack and control possession in advanced areas. His movement between the lines and ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations could be decisive in a match where Leipzig will need to break down a deep-lying Augsburg defence.
Prediction
FC Augsburg 1-1 RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig may have dominated the reverse fixture, but their poor away record is a major concern. Augsburg, despite their attacking struggles, have been solid defensively and could frustrate their opponents. Given Leipzig’s inconsistencies, a low-scoring draw seems a likely outcome. The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 draw between FC Augsburg and RB Leipzig.
