Augsburg vs Borussia Dortmund Preview: Team News & Prediction
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On the back of advancing through in the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday night, Borussia Dortmund travel to an out-of-form Augsburg, who sit 15th in the Bundesliga as it stands.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC iPlayer / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – BBC Sport website & BBC iPlayer / US – ESPN+
Augsburg preview: Out in meek fashion
Augsburg’s pretty turgid season so far got even worse this week as they were knocked out of the DFB-Pokal in desperately disappointing fashion at home, losing by a goal to nil at the hands of struggling 2. Bundesliga side Bochum. This after they were thrashed 0-6 by RB Leipzig in the last round of Bundesliga fixtures.
It’s now five defeats in eight league matches so far this campaign for Augsburg and the pressure is starting to grow on head coach Sandro Wagner. He signed a contract until 2028 back in May but if his side continue in this vein then a tough decision may need to be made sooner rather than later by the board.
Borussia Dortmund preview: Holding their nerve
Borussia Dortmund kept their composure in one of the standout DFB-Pokal ties of the round, edging past Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties following a 1-1 draw. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was the hero for Niko Kovac’s side after Julian Brandt had equalised following Eintracht’s opening goal in the seventh minute.
Prior to that cup game, Dortmund had responded extremely well to losing a close Der Klassiker, beating both FC Copenhagen in the Champions League and FC Cologne in the Bundesliga. Dortmund currently sit inside the top four and a win here would move them into second place ahead of the weekend’s action.
Augsburg team news: Wait on Matsima
Augsburg could be without central defender Chrislain Matsima, who is struggling with a muscle injury. Captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw is already confirmed as out due to a knee problem.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Dahmen; Jakic, Schlotterbeck, Banks; Kade, Fellhauer, Massengo, Giannoulis; Claude-Maurice, Komur, Saad
Unavailable: Gouweleeuw (Injured)
Questionable: Matsima (Injured)
Borussia Dortmund team news: Two out, one doubtful
Midfielder Jobe Bellingham could be in line for a start, but centre-back Niklas Sule is facing a race against time to be fit whilst Emre Can and Julien Duranville are both out injured.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Kobel; Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Couto, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Adeyemi, Guirassy, Beier
Unavailable: Can (Injured), Duranville (Injured)
Questionable: Sule (Injured)
Augsburg vs Borussia Dortmund prediction
Borussia Dortmund had a lot taken out of their squad after playing 120 minutes in midweek, which makes things tougher for them heading into this game with only a two-day rest period before this encounter. But Bayern Munich are the only team to have beaten them in all competitions so far this season, underlining how tough this Dortmund side are under Kovac.
Form is heavily weighted against Augsburg following their last two defeats and after seeing them be outclassed by RB Leipzig last weekend, Dortmund have every reason to believe they can also have success against them when taking into account the quality of players at the visitors’ disposal. Therefore, back Borussia Dortmund, although consider doing so via the draw no bet market for extra security.
Augsburg vs Borussia Dortmund tip: Borussia Dortmund draw no bet
