Bayern Munich vs Augsburg preview: Bavarians aiming to bounce back from first leg disappointment
Bayer Munich will be looking to produce a positive response following a poor display in the Champions League in midweek, but they will come up against an Augsburg team that are aiming to clinch a third consecutive victory.
Bayern Munich
Ten in a row is getting closer by the week for Bayern Munich, and they look set to complete the feat in some style. Unbeaten in their last six league games, the league leaders enjoy a nine-point gap at the top of the standings, with 18 points left to play for.
The title may be in sight, but Saturday’s hosts enter the weekend in a downbeat mood after they suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Villarreal. An underwhelming display in Spain from the six-time European champions ensured that they will go into next week’s second leg needing to make up a one-goal deficit.
However, before they can focus on another meeting with Unai Emery’s side, they must negotiate a league encounter against an in-form Augsburg team. The Bavarians have first-hand experience of the threat that the Fuggerstädter possess after they fell to a surprise 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture.
Looking to avenge that defeat, Bayern will be hoping for a result similar to the 5-2 victory they picked up against Augsburg in the home meeting between the sides last term and with the German champions homing in on 100 league goals, another feast of goals on Saturday is highly probable.
Team News
With the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final taking place on Tuesday, Julian Nagelsmann has suggested that he will rotate his side against Augsburg. In terms of injury absentees, the Bavarians are unable to call upon the services of
Bouna Sarr, Corentin Tolisso and Eric Choupo-Moting.
Augsburg
Augsburg are currently riding a crest of a wave after winning their last two matches which has helped to alleviate their relegation fears.
Ahead of last weekend's round of fixtures, the Fuggerstädter were just level on points with the relegation playoff spot, but a 3-0 thrashing of Wolfsburg helped them move three points clear of the bottom four.
Markus Weinzierl's side then played their game in hand on Wednesday against a Mainz side that have aspirations of qualifying for Europe. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw got Augsburg off to the perfect start with an 11th-minute spot-kick, but parity was restored following Silvan Widmer's second half equaliser. However, Augsburg required just two minutes to restore their lead, with Ruben Vargas grabbing what proved to be the winning goal.
Back-to-back victories has moved Saturday's visitors six points clear of danger, although Augsburg cannot afford to rest on their laurels with 18 points still to play for.
Weinzierl's charges will feel they are one win away from securing their place in the top-flight and having accumulated more points in the last six games than the rest of the bottom six, they enter the final furlong of the season in a positive mindset.
They will be fully aware that taking anything off Bayern on Saturday will be an extremely challenging task, but the visitors will be hoping to take advantage of a Bayern side that are set to make a number of changes.
Team News
The Fuggerstädter will be missing Mads Pedersen, who is unavailable following a positive COVID-19 test, while Carlos Gruezo is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Felix Uduokhai will also miss out with a thigh problem set to keep the defender sidelined for a third consecutive game.