MX23RW : Thursday, October 6 13:44:12| >> :120:6034:6034:
[monks data]
Sep 17, 2022 at 2.30pm UK at WWK Arena
Augsburg
1 - 0
Bayern
Berisha (59')
Berisha (31'), Hahn (45+1'), Gouweleeuw (58')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Mane (38')

Preview: Augsburg vs. Bayern Munich - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Bundesliga clash between Augsburg and Bayern Munich, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Augsburg host Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with the visitors looking to end a run of three successive draws by claiming a victory.

The hosts, meanwhile, jumped up the table with a much-needed win against Werder Bremen last Friday.


Match preview

Augsburg's Noah Sarenren Bazee celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 27, 2022© Reuters

Indeed, Augsburg had only claimed three points from their first five matches under new manager Enrico Maassen, who is in his first major managerial role having previously led Borussia Dortmund's reserve team and fourth-tier outfit SV Rodinghausen.

Across the 38-year-old's four league defeats in charge, Augsburg registered only six shots on target, which they managed to match in one match when claiming a crucial victory away to Bremen last time out.

It was a fiercely contested affair featuring nine yellow cards, with Ermedin Demirovic's 63rd-minute strike proving to be the difference between the sides as Bremen failed to score yet another injury-time goal to save the day.

While Maaseen will be under no illusions regarding the scale of the task in front of his side on Saturday - even taking into account Bayern's relatively poor form of late - he will at least be relieved to be heading into the encounter with reduced pressure on his shoulders ahead of the forthcoming international break.

Lucas Hernandez celebrates scoring for Bayern Munich on September 13, 2022© Reuters

After blitzing the opening weeks of the campaign with 20 goals across four wins in all competitions, Bayern have significantly stuttered in recent weeks, with their 2-2 draw at home to Stuttgart seeing them drop points for the third successive matchday.

Julian Nagelsmann rested several key players - including Sadio Mane, Leroy Sane and Benjamin Pavard - ahead of Tuesday's test against Barcelona in the Champions League, and that decision backfired when Matthijs De Ligt's clumsy challenge allowed Serhou Guirassy to convert from the penalty spot and claim a last-gasp equaliser for the visitors.

Bayern did at least beat Barcelona 2-0 in midweek, with two quickfire strikes from Lucas Hernandez and Sane after the break taking the Bavarians to six points from their opening two matches in what many had labelled the 'Group of Death' in Europe's elite competition.

However, they had some rare profligacy in front of goal from their former striker Robert Lewandowski to thank for the victory, with the Pole uncharacteristically snatching at several presentable opportunities.

In their last match prior to the international break, Nagelsmann must ensure that his players' focus quickly return to domestic matters, as he cannot allow his team to drop any more points if he wishes to avoid significant scrutiny regarding his position at the club.

Augsburg Bundesliga form:
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W

Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • D

Bayern Munich form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • W


Team News

Sadio Mane in action for Bayern Munich on September 13, 2022© Reuters

Augsburg will remain without Reece Oxford, Felix Uduokhai, Frederik Winther, Niklas Dorsch, Tobias Strobl and Noah Sarenren Bazee due to injuries when they take on Bayern at the WWK Arena on Saturday.

Maassen named an incredibly attacking lineup for the win against Bremen last time out, with Florian Niederlechner, Andre Hahn, Mergim Berisha and the goalscorer Demirovic all starting.

As such, he will surely make changes against a side capable of opening them up in the blink of an eye, with Mads Pedersen and Arne Maier presenting him with two options to shore up the middle third of the pitch.

Bayern, meanwhile, are set to travel without Kingsley Coman and Bouna Sarr, while Hernandez and Pavard are both doubts with muscle strains suffered during their victory against Barca on Tuesday.

Noussair Mazraoui should deputise for Pavard at right-back, while Leon Goretzka is set to start in midfield having impressed from the bench at the Allianz Arena in midweek.

Nagelsmann will almost certainly name a strong front four, with Jamal Musiala probably edging out Serge Gnabry on current form.

Augsburg possible starting lineup:
Gikiewicz; Bauer, Gouweleeuw, Gumny; Pedersen, Maier, Gruezo, Rexhbecaj, Iago; Demirovic, Berisha

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Mazraoui, Upamecano, De Ligt, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Musiala; Mane


SM words green background

We say: Augsburg 0-3 Bayern Munich

It would be almost unthinkable for Bayern to drop points in four successive league games, especially considering that they have not really faced any truly difficult opponents during that run.

Augsburg can play with reduced strain having gained a crucial win last time out, but we do not expect them to be able to hold off an angry Bayern outfit determined to head into the international break off the back of a win.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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How you voted: Augsburg vs Bayern

Augsburg
11.7%
Draw
8.3%
Bayern Munich
80.0%
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Union BerlinUnion Berlin8521156917
2Freiburg8521126617
3Bayern MunichBayern84312361715
4Borussia DortmundDortmund85031110115
5Hoffenheim8422138514
6Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt84221613314
7FC Koln83411410413
8Werder Bremen83321813512
9Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach83321110112
10Augsburg8404812-412
11RB Leipzig83231312111
12Mainz 058323812-411
13Wolfsburg8224814-68
14Hertha Berlin8143810-27
15Schalke 04Schalke81341017-76
16Stuttgart8053913-45
17Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen8125916-75
18VfL BochumVfL Bochum8017523-181

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