Borussia Dortmund will be targeting a strong end to the campaign when they take on FC Augsburg on Saturday.
Borussia Dortmund will look to build on their recent resurgence in the Bundesliga as they host FC Augsburg at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday. With a late push for European qualification in full swing, BVB will be keen to secure all three points against a resilient Augsburg side.
Dortmund come into this fixture on the back of a solid 2-0 victory over St. Pauli on March 1, a result that solidified their position in 10th place with 35 points. They currently hold a three-point advantage over 11th-placed Augsburg, with only seven points separating them from third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt. The win against St. Pauli was characterized by their defensive discipline, as they prevented their opponents from creating any major opportunities while generating four high-quality chances of their own.
BVB’s defensive resilience has been a standout feature in recent weeks, with the team conceding just one goal across their last four matches in all competitions. Their ability to keep back-to-back clean sheets in the Bundesliga further underlines their improved solidity at the back.
Despite their defensive improvements, Dortmund’s attacking numbers have been a cause for concern. They are on course to score 64 goals in the Bundesliga this season, which would mark their joint-lowest tally since the 2014/15 campaign, where they finished seventh. Furthermore, their home form has been underwhelming, with BVB failing to win eight of their last 10 matches at Signal Iduna Park — managing just two wins while drawing five and losing three.
Niko Kovac’s men were left frustrated in their midweek Champions League clash against Lille, settling for a 1-1 draw. Their second-half approach was particularly underwhelming, as they adopted a defensive stance yet failed to hold onto their one-goal lead, leaving fans questioning their tactical adaptability.
Meanwhile, Augsburg have proven to be a stubborn opponent in recent weeks. They held Champions League-chasing Freiburg to a goalless draw on March 2, a result that did not fully reflect their performance. The Fuggerstädter created nearly 1.5 expected goals (xG), struck the post in the dying moments, and limited Freiburg to just two shots inside the penalty area, highlighting their defensive organization and counter-attacking threat.
Jess Thorup’s men, however, have struggled in front of goal, failing to score in four of their last five matches across all competitions. Their tally of 27 goals in the league is the joint fourth-worst in the Bundesliga, underscoring their attacking deficiencies.
Despite these struggles, Augsburg can take confidence from their last meeting with Borussia Dortmund in October, where they secured a 2-1 comeback victory despite having just 24% possession. The visitors are also on a four-match unbeaten run, albeit with three draws and only one win. Interestingly, all these games were against top-eight sides, proving they are not easily beaten.
Augsburg have been quietly effective on the road, picking up three wins and two draws in their last five Bundesliga away matches. Their ability to frustrate opponents and grind out results could be a decisive factor in this encounter, especially given Dortmund’s inconsistent home form. 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
Borussia Dortmund
The hosts will be without full-back Daniel Svensson, who is sidelined until May due to ligament damage. His absence could see Julian Ryerson and Ramy Bensebaini deployed as the full-backs, with Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck forming the central defensive partnership.
Midfielder Felix Nmecha remains unavailable as he continues his recovery, with a return expected by mid-March. In his absence, Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Gross are likely to occupy the central midfield positions.
In attack, Serhou Guirassy is expected to lead the line for Borussia Dortmund against FC Augsburg as the primary striker. He could be supported by wingers Karim Adeyemi and Jamie Gittens, while Julian Brandt is likely to operate as the attacking midfielder behind the front three.
Borussia Dortmund are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against FC Augsburg. Gregor Kobel will take his place in goal, with Julian Ryerson at right-back, Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck at centre-back, and Ramy Bensebaini at left-back.
Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Gross will provide stability in midfield, while Julian Brandt will play as the central attacking midfielder. Karim Adeyemi and Jamie Gittens will operate on the wings, supporting Serhou Guirassy as the lone striker.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Sabitzer, Gross; Adeyemi, Brandt, Bynoe-Gittens; Guirassy
FC Augsburg
Augsburg will be without defender Henri Koudossou, Robert Gumny, and Mads Valentin Pedersen, all of whom are sidelined with injuries. Their absence means that Chrislain Matsima, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, and Cedric Zesiger are expected to feature in the backline.
Midfielders Kristijan Jakic and Yusuf Kabadayi are also unavailable, so Arne Maier and Frank Onyeka could be deployed in a double pivot to provide defensive cover and ball progression.
In attack, Phillip Tietz is expected to lead the line in the absence of Mergim Berisha, who remains sidelined due to a hip injury. Tietz will be supported by attacking midfielders Fredrik Jensen and Alexis Claude-Maurice, who will be tasked with creating chances from advanced positions.
Augsburg are set to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation. Finn Dahmen will start in goal, with Chrislain Matsima, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, and Cedric Zesiger forming a three-man defensive line. Marius Wolf and Dimitrios Giannoulis will occupy the wing-back positions, providing width on both flanks.
Arne Maier and Frank Onyeka will anchor the midfield, shielding the defence while linking up with the attack. Fredrik Jensen and Alexis Claude-Maurice will play just behind the striker, Phillip Tietz, who will lead the line as the focal point of Augsburg’s attack.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Dahmen; Matsima, Gouweleeuw, Zesiger; Wolf, Maier, Onyeka, Giannoulis; Jensen, Claude-Maurice; Tietz
Key Stats
- FC Augsburg could complete a league double over Borussia Dortmund for the first time in Bundesliga history after their 2-1 victory earlier this season. However, they are winless in their last nine trips to Dortmund since 2015, losing the previous six.
- Borussia Dortmund have won back-to-back Bundesliga matches for the first time this season and have kept consecutive clean sheets for the first time since the opening two matchdays.
- Augsburg are unbeaten in their last eight Bundesliga games (W4 D4), equaling their club record set in 2013/14. Their current five-match unbeaten away run is three short of their longest-ever away streak of eight games in the top flight.
- With 32 points from 24 matchdays, Augsburg are enjoying their best Bundesliga campaign in seven years, matching their 2017/18 tally. They have secured 13 points in the second half of the season, their best return since 2013/14.
- Augsburg have kept four straight Bundesliga clean sheets, setting a new club record. Their defensive solidity has seen them concede just three goals in this period, a tally that is the joint second-best in Europe alongside FC Barcelona.
Player to Watch
Julian Brandt
Julian Brandt will be Borussia Dortmund’s key man in this fixture. The German playmaker has been instrumental in linking midfield to attack, showcasing his exceptional vision, dribbling ability, and creativity. His capacity to unlock defences with precise passing and intelligent movement will be vital against Augsburg’s well-structured defence.
Brandt has also been a consistent contributor in terms of goals and assists this season, proving to be Borussia Dortmund’s main orchestrator in the final third. If BVB are to break down Augsburg’s compact shape, Brandt’s ability to find space and dictate the tempo will be crucial.
Prediction
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 FC Augsburg
Borussia Dortmund’s improved defensive structure and Augsburg’s struggles in the final third suggest this could be a tightly contested affair. While BVB have the firepower to edge past their visitors, their inability to dominate at home leaves room for uncertainty.
Augsburg’s disciplined approach and recent away form make them a tricky opponent, but Borussia Dortmund’s overall quality should be enough to secure a narrow victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Niko Kovac and his charges.
