Augsburg vs. Werder Bremen preview: Hosts looking to continue fine home form
Augsburg
After enjoying a four-game winning run, Augsburg have experienced a dip in form in recent weeks. They followed a 1-1 home draw with a 3-1 away against Hoffenheim, before they returned to winning ways in their home meeting with Union Berlin. However, Augsburg fell to a second straight 3-1 away defeat in last Friday’s clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Fuggerstädter took the lead through Ruben Vargas, before Frankfurt produced a second-half fightback to leave Augsburg with nothing to show for their efforts. As a result of that defeat, Augsburg are in eighth place and six points adrift of Frankfurt in sixth position.
However, they are still in the mix to finish in seventh spot, with just one point separating them from Freiburg. Augsburg’s hopes of overtaking Freiburg will be tempered by the fact they face three of the current top five in their final three games, including newly-crowned champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Nevertheless, their current focus will be on Saturday’s fixture, and they will be confident of claiming a positive result after winning three and drawing two of their last five home league matches.
Team News
The hosts are without Robert Gumny, Reece Oxford, Raphael Framberger, Iago, Fredrik Jensen and Elvis Rexhbecaj.
Werder Bremen
Bremen will head into the weekend in a positive mood after they edged out Stuttgart last Sunday to end a seven-game winless league run. Marvin Ducksch opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before he grabbed his and Bremen’s second in the 48th minute. Although Stuttgart pulled a goal back through Deniz Undav, Ole Werner’s side managed to see out the remainder of the contest to seal their first win since February 16.
Having collected 34 points from 30 matches, Bremen are sitting in 11th place with a seven-point buffer to the bottom three. As a result, Die Werderaner are on the brink of securing safety with just four games left to play against Augsburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach, RB Leipzig and Bochum.
Saturday’s visitors have struggled in their recent road trips, having taken just one point from their last four away league games. They have also lost each of their last three away matches against Augsburg since claiming a 3-2 win in September 2018.
Team News
Bremen are unable to call upon Skelly Alvero, Amos Pieper and Jiri Pavlenka, while Justin Njinmah and Isak Hansen-Aaroen are both doubts due to illness. As for Jens Stage, he is set to serve the final game of a three-match suspension.
