Augsburg vs Freiburg preview: Visitors' top four credentials put to the test | OneFootball

Augsburg

Augsburg are looking to extend their unbeaten Bundesliga run to eight matches this weekend.

Die Fuggerstädter ended their goal drought in style last time out against Borussia Mönchengladbach, as Alexis Claude-Maurice netted a second-half hattrick in a 3-0 win.

Prior to that, Augsburg had failed to score in three consecutive matches, and last weekend marked their first time netting three or more goals since a 3-0 DFB-Pokal win against Schalke in October.

Defensively, Jess Thorup's side have been solid, keeping three consecutive clean sheets and conceding just three goals in their last eight matches.

Team News

Augsburg will be without defenders Hendri Koudossou, Robery Gummy and Mads Valentin Pedersen, forcing Thorup into a reshuffle at the back.

Dimitrios Matsima, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Cédric Zesiger are expected to form a back three, with Kristijan Jakić and Frank Onyeka in midfield.

Up front, Mergim Berisha remains sidelined with a hip injury and is not expected to return until late March. As a result, Phillip Tietz could lead the attack.

Freiburg

Freiburg travel to Bavaria eager to hold onto their top-four spot, knowing that a win could be crucial ahead of their upcoming clashes with fifth-placed Mainz and sixth-placed RB Leipzig.

The Breisgau-Brasilianer were ruthless in front of goal last time out, putting five past Werder Bremen despite creating just four big chances. They were also fortunate to escape punishment after the Green-Whites missed a penalty when leading 2-0.

Julian Schuster’s men have now won four consecutive matches without conceding, including successive 1-0 away victories. However, their away form earlier in the season was concerning, having lost five and drawn one of their previous six road fixtures before this recent resurgence.

History is on Freiburg’s side, with just one defeat in their last 12 meetings against Augsburg. They have won eight of those encounters, including a 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture on 19 October.

Freiburg will be confident of extending their winning run and keeping their place in the Bundesliga’s top four. Still, Augsburg’s defensive resilience could make for a competitive contest at WWK Arena.

Team News

Freiburg will be without centre-backs Max Rosenfelder and Manuel Gulde, while midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh is also unavailable.

Julian Schuster is likely to select Matthias Ginter and Philipp Lienhart at the heart of the defence, shielding goalkeeper Noah Atubolu. Maximilian Eggestein and Patrick Osterhage should start in midfield.

In attack, Ritsu Dōan, Merlin Röhl and Vincenzo Grifo are expected to provide support for Lucas Höler up front.