Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Augsburg preview: Visitors targeting Bundesliga survival
Augsburg will look to secure their top-flight status when they face Borussia Mönchengladbach on the final day of the 2022-23 season.
| Photo: FC Augsburg |
Gladbach
The 2022-23 campaign has proven to be an underwhelming one for Gladbach, who currently occupy 11th position. Die Fohlen could still match last season’s 10th-place finish, but that would offer little consolation to a side that will miss out on European football for a third consecutive season.
Although they have won just one of their last six matches, Gladbach would have been pleased with the fight they showed to come from two goals down against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend. Die Fohlen looked to be heading towards defeat when Amine Adli and Kerem Demirbay grabbed a goal apiece in the opening 20 minutes, but Jonas Hofmann gave his side hope when he halved the deficit just before the hour mark. In his penultimate game as a Gladbach player, Lars Stindl completed the comeback, scoring a 90th-minute equaliser.
Gladbach boss Daniel Farke is widely expected to leave the club just one year after being appointed and if Saturday’s encounter is to be his last game, then he will be looking to depart with a victory.
Team News
The hosts are unable to call upon the services of Manu Koné, Jonas Omlin, Yvandro Borges Sanches and Christoph Kramer.
Augsburg
After losing to Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund in their last two matches, Augsburg head into the final game just two points above the bottom three. Although automatic relegation is highly unlikely due to their superior goal difference over Schalke, the Fuggerstädter could still finish the season in the relegation playoff spot.
With a significant goal difference advantage over Bochum, a point would be enough to secure their top-flight status. However, Augsburg will drop into the playoff position if they lose and both Stuttgart and Bochum win their respective games.
Claiming a positive result on Saturday may be easier said than done, though, as Augsburg have tended to struggle on their travels this season. Since beating Schalke 3-2 in October, Enrico Maaßen’s side have gone drawn three and lost nine of their last 12 Bundesliga away matches.
Team News
Julian Baumgartlinger, Andre Hahn and Tobias Strobl are all ruled out with knee injuries. The visitors are also expected to be without the services of Rafal Gikiewicz, Reece Oxford, Fredrik Jensen, Mads Pedersen, Iago, Ruben Vargas and Mergim Berisha.
After being sent off against Dortmund, Felix Uduokhai will miss the final game of the season through suspension.
