Augsburg vs Borussia Monchengladbach Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 German Bundesliga
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Augsburg vs Borussia Monchengladbach on and what time does it start? Augsburg vs Borussia Monchengladbach will take place on Saturday 19th August, 2023 – 14:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Augsburg vs Borussia Monchengladbach? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Augsburg vs Borussia Monchengladbach on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for Augsburg vs Borussia Monchengladbach
Where can I stream Augsburg vs Borussia Monchengladbach in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Augsburg vs Borussia Monchengladbach can be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
AUGSBURG
Augsburg survived by the skin of the teeth this past season with just one point between them and the bottom three. The final day of the 2022-23 campaign saw them beaten 2-0 at the home of Borussia Monchengladback, their opponents here! However, results went their way with Stuttgart failing to overcome Hoffenheim, meaning that Augsburg avoided the dreaded relegation play-off and stayed up automatically.
Most pundits are likely to tip Augsburg for relegation this time round with a significant amount of turnover within their squad. They’ll no doubt be hoping that Tim Breithaupt, signed from Karlsruher SC can make a positive impact. The majority of Augsburg’s signings have come domestically with Sven Michel and Phillip Tietz also having joined for fees.
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH
Mid-table obscurity was not deemed acceptable for Borussia Monchengladbach last season and head coach Daniel Farke was relieved of his duties at the start of June following a 10th-placed Bundesliga finish in 2022-23. Only days later, the club announced for Bayer Leverkusen boss Gerardo Seoane as their new head coach, the Swiss having been fired by his old club last year and replaced by Xabi Alonso.
Lots have changed on the playing side of Gladbach following the losses of forward, Marcus Thuram, winger Jonas Hofmann and defender Ramy Bensebaini, all of whom were regulars. However, Gladbach have spent to replace, bringing in striker Tomas Cvancara from Sparta Prague and German international Julian Weigl from Benfica. They have also dipped into Ligue 1, signing winger Franck Honorat from Brest.
THE TEAM NEWS
AUGSBURG
Augsburg will have to do without plenty of personnel in this opening game of the season, with the likes of Framberger, Okugawa and Gouweleeuw all out injured. Patrick Pfeiffer is suspended and thus won’t make his debut for Augsburg on the opening weekend.
It would be no surprise if the hosts were to opt for a conventional 4-4-2 against Gladbach with Demirovic and Michel leading the line. Finn Dahmen should make his debut between the sticks and Breithaupt is also likely to play for the first time in the Bundesliga for Augsburg.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Dahmen; Engels, Bauer, Uduokhai, Pederson; Vargas, Breithaupt, Dorsch, Maier; Demirovic, Michel
UNAVAILABLE: Framberger (Injured), Gumny (Suspended), Gouweleeuw (Injured), Oxford (Illness), Okugawa (Injured), Pfeiffer (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Asllani (Injured), Kabak (Injured), Szalai (Injured)
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH
Borussia Monchengladbach are expected to hand a debut to Cvancara up top, their big money signing of the summer so far and he’s unlikely to be the only one appearing for the first time in a Gladback shirt. Max Wober should slot into the defence, whilst Honorat may well gain a start on the wing.
The dangerous Plea will no doubt serve as a huge threat to Augsburg and the onus is on him to produce the goods even more so now following Thuram and Hofmann’s respective departures. Big things are also expected of Weigl in central midfield.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Omlin; Scally, Itakura, Wober, Netz; Weigl, Neuhaus; Honorat, Plea, Ngoumou; Cvancara
UNAVAILABLE: Kramer (Illness), Kone (Injured), Lainer (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
With a new head coach in place, it would be no surprise if we have to wait a couple of games before seeing the best of Borussia Monchengladbach, although Seoane now boasts substantial Bundesliga experience over the past couple of years. It doesn’t help that they begin on the road against an Augsburg unit who will look to make it hard for them at every opportunity. Augsburg will know that if they are to survive relegation again this season, they will need to make their home a fortress and taking the game to Gladbach will no doubt be a priority for them. The smart play looks to be utilising the double chance market on this occasion, backing the hosts to either win or draw.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – AUGSBURG/DRAW
