Augsburg vs Mainz 05: Can the hosts clinch consecutive victories?
Augsburg could put considerable distance between them and the danger zone if they can overcome Mainz, while the visitors will be hoping to continue their push for European qualification with a win on Wednesday evening.
Augsburg
It seems as though Augsburg may have hit a purple patch at just the right time as they look to extend their stay in Bundesliga.
A run of one defeat in four matches kicked off with a superb 1-1 draw at home to Borussia Dortmund before they edged out Arminia Bielefeld.
Their next contest, however, resulted in a 3-2 defeat away to Stuttgart despite Augsburg leading on two occasions in that encounter. The manner of that loss could have knocked the wind out of the Augsburg sails, but they came fighting back in their most recent outing, as they thumped Wolfsburg 3-0 to move them three points clear of danger.
With Wednesday's home meeting with Mainz representing a game in hand for Augsburg, Markus Weinzierl will be fully aware that three more points in midweek would go a long way to securing Augsburg's Bundesliga place.
Their previous head-to-head record in home matches against Mainz will certainly encourage the hosts ahead of the midweek fixture, having won their last four home league meetings by an aggregate 10-2 scoreline.
Team News
Felix Uduokhai, Michael Gregoritsch and Noah Sarenren Bazee are all absent for the hosts, while Ruben Vargas could miss out through illness for the second game in a row.
Mainz 05
While their hosts are battling to remain in the top flight, Mainz are dreaming of qualifying for European competition.
After suffering back-to-back defeats against Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund, Die Nullfünfer have bounced back in their last two matches, dispatching Arminia Bielefeld with ease before drawing 1-1 against Borussia Mönchengladbach in their last outing.
Mainz may have been frustrated to only take a point from Sunday's contest, but an inspired display from Yann Sommer at the weekend denied them victory, leaving Bo Svensson's side in 10th position.
With one game in hand, Die Nullfünfer sit six points adrift of the top six and a win on Wednesday would certainly boost Mainz's European hopes.
Although, their away form this season suggests that picking up a victory at the WWK Arena may prove to be a difficult task. The visitors enter the contest with the joint second-worst away record in the league, while their last eight Bundesliga away trips have yielded just two points.
If Svensson is looking for inspiration ahead of Wednesday's encounter then he may find it by revisiting the reverse fixture between the two sides. In October, Mainz utilised home advantage to make light work of Augsburg with a Jonathan Burkardt brace helping Die Nullfünfer to a 4-1 victory. A victory for the visitors on Wednesday would not only move them up into fifth eighth place, but it would also give Mainz their first league double over Augsburg since the 2016-17 season.
Team News
The away side are still without Jerry St. Juste, who is sidelined due to a shoulder injury. Burkardt, meanwhile, could return to the starting lineup after dropping down to the bench on Sunday.
