Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich continue their title defense this Saturday when they travel to WWK Arena to face Augsburg.
The hosts, currently sitting third in the table, opened their campaign with a 3-1 win over Freiburg on August 23, while Bayern stormed to the top spot with a dominant 6-0 thrashing of RB Leipzig just a day earlier.
Augsburg’s three-goal haul against Freiburg marked their first time scoring at least three goals since late February, ending a 13-game run where they netted once or not at all in 11 fixtures. New manager Sandro Wagner, appointed in May after serving as Julian Nagelsmann’s assistant with the German national team, is in his first professional head coaching role.
His side also claimed a 2-0 victory over Hallescher in the DFB-Pokal earlier this month, equaling their total wins from the final nine matches of last season. However, Augsburg have struggled badly against Bayern in recent years, losing all six of their latest meetings while conceding at least three goals in each. Saturday’s clash will be their first home game of the season, and they are seeking a first win at WWK Arena in five attempts.
For Bayern, the season has already started in free-scoring fashion. Vincent Kompany’s side have struck 11 goals across their first three matches, including the Leipzig rout, which was the 17th time under the Belgian coach that they have scored four or more in a single game.
Despite their attacking strength, defensive frailties remain—Bayern have managed just one clean sheet in their last seven competitive outings. Still, Kompany will be encouraged by his team’s relentless work rate, with the squad covering 125.4km against Leipzig, the most distance ever recorded by the club in a Bundesliga match since data collection began in 2011.
The Bavarians arrive in Augsburg in strong form following a busy summer. They lifted the German Super Cup after beating Stuttgart on August 16, advanced past Wehen Wiesbaden in the DFB-Pokal with a 3-2 victory on August 27, and also participated in the Club World Cup, where they registered three wins and two defeats. Importantly, Bayern remain unbeaten in 12 away league games, winning eight of them, and will be determined to extend that run on Saturday.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Augsburg will once again be without striker Samuel Essende, who serves the final game of his suspension following a red card at the end of last season. In his absence, Mert Komur is expected to continue leading the line. Behind him, Kristijan Jakic should operate in the holding role, with Han-Noah Massengo and Robin Fellhauer providing energy and support as the two number eights.
At the back, Chrislain Matsima, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Keven Schlotterbeck formed a three-man defense against Freiburg, and they will need to be at their sharpest to contain Bayern’s firepower.
For the visitors, Luis Diaz arrives in superb form after scoring twice from just two attempts in the thrashing of Leipzig. While maintaining a perfect conversion rate will be difficult, the winger is certain to pose a major threat again. He will be supported by Joshua Kimmich, who is set to dictate play from deeper midfield and link with Diaz and Harry Kane in attack.
Despite being 39, Manuel Neuer remains Bayern’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper. The veteran shot-stopper will rely on the central pairing of Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah to shield him and limit Augsburg’s chances.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Augsburg possible starting lineup:
Dahmen; Matsima, Gouweleeuw, Schlotterbeck; Wolf, Fellhauer, Jakic, Massengo, Giannoulis; Komur, Saad
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane
EXPERT PREDICTION
Augsburg 1-4 Bayern Munich
