Augsburg vs Freiburg preview: Freiburg look to build on midweek Europa League comeback
Augsburg host Freiburg on Sunday evening as the hosts look to extend the between themselves and the bottom three. Freiburg, however, are searching for a win to regain a foothold in the race for a conference league spot.
| Photo: FC Augsburg |
Augsburg
Jess Thorup's Augsburg head into this tie after a demoralising loss to relegation-threatened Mainz last weekend under their new manager Bo Henriksen.
This result means Augsburg are still yet to win their second game this year and are without a win in four outings.
Despite this, Ermedin Demirović has excelled for Augsburg bringing in eighteen goal contributions in his most prolific Bundesliga season ever (twelve goals).
Defence has proven an issue for Jess Thorup's side however as they have conceded forty goals in the league and are yet to keep a clean sheet this campaign.
Ahead of the clash against Freiburg, coach Jess Thorup said: "We've now had four home games with good performances, but unfortunately we've only picked up two points."
He added: "Now we have to try not only to put in a good performance, but also pick up more points."
Team news
Augsburg are without Reece Oxford due to illness and Patric Pfeiffer due to injury as well. Raphael Framberger is unable to play due to a knee issue.
Jeffrey Gouweleeuw is suspended due to his yellow card tally and Mads Pedersen is out until mid-March from his red card against Mainz. Dion Drena Beljo is a doubt with a muscular issue.
Freiburg
Freiburg fought hard to overcome a 2-0 deficit in the Europa League against RC Lens and ended up winning the game by a goal in extra-time.
Freiburg's league form has been somewhat inconsistent however as Christian Streich's side have only won one of their last seven in the Bundesliga.
Midfielder Vincenzo Grifo has continued to show his class as the Italian has bagged thirteen goal contributions in the league this season but was on the bench in midweek.
Michael Gregoritsch was the hero on Thursday and also scored in Freiburg's last game in the Bundesliga against Eintracht Frankfurt so will hope to continue his scoring streak.
Team news
Daniel-Kofi Kyereh is out with a knee injury and Philipp Lienhart is also unavailable due to groin problems.
Kenneth Schmidt and Max Rosenfelder will also both miss the game with injury and Yannik Keitel is a doubt due to back issues.