The Bundesliga is heating up, and Augsburg will aim to shake up RB Leipzig’s Champions League aspirations when they welcome Die Roten Bullen to WWK Arena on Friday for their 22nd league fixture of the 2024-25 season.
Match Overview
Augsburg currently sit 12th in the Bundesliga standings with 27 points. In their last outing, they settled for a goalless draw against Mainz 05, struggling to create significant goal-scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, RB Leipzig occupy the crucial fourth spot with 36 points, barely holding onto the final Champions League qualification berth.
Despite their struggles in attack, Augsburg’s defensive improvements in recent games have been notable, keeping three clean sheets in their past six league outings. However, their backline has still conceded 35 goals this season, ranking among the weakest in the Bundesliga's top 14.
Leipzig, on the other hand, earned a 2-0 victory against St. Pauli in their most recent Bundesliga fixture. Even after losing Willi Orban to a red card in the 69th minute, Marco Rose’s men held their defensive shape to see out the win.
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Team Form & Stats
- Augsburg’s Last Five Matches: 2 Wins, 2 Draws, 1 Loss
- Leipzig’s Last Five Matches: 2 Wins, 2 Draws, 1 Loss
- Reverse Fixture: RB Leipzig 4-0 Augsburg (September 28, 2024)
- Head-to-Head: Leipzig have dominated recent meetings, including their emphatic 4-0 win earlier this season.
Key Players & Injury Updates
Augsburg will likely miss key defenders Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, Mads Valentin Pedersen, and Robert Gumny, while Chrislain Matsima and Keven Schlotterbeck remain doubtful. This could lead to a makeshift backline featuring Cedric Zesiger, David Deger, and Noahkai Banks. Up front, the absence of striker Mergim Berisha means Samuel Essende will lead the attack, supported by Arne Maier and Frank Onyeka in midfield.
RB Leipzig will be without the suspended Willi Orban, while Benjamin Henrichs’ season-ending injury further weakens their defense. El Chadaille Bitshiabu, Lutsharel Geertruida, and Castello Lukeba could form a back three. Kevin Kampl and Amadou Haidara are expected to anchor the midfield, while Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda remain Leipzig’s primary goal threats.
Predicted Lineups
Augsburg Possible Starting XI:
Dahmen; Zesiger, Deger, Banks; Wolf, Maier, Onyeka, Giannoulis; Jensen, Claude-Maurice; Essende
RB Leipzig Possible Starting XI:
Gulacsi; Geertruida, Bitshiabu, Castello; Baku, Haidara, Kampl, Raum; Xavi; Sesko, Openda
Match Prediction
Augsburg 1-1 RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig have shown defensive improvements in recent matches, but their woeful away form raises concerns. Augsburg’s home record suggests they could take at least a point, but their struggles in the final third make a high-scoring game unlikely. Expect a hard-fought draw with limited chances for both sides.
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