Augsburg have not won in their last four league games, but they will be hoping for a change of fortunes as they host Eintracht Frankfurt at Augsburg Arena on Saturday.
Oliver Glasner's side will be carrying good momentum into this fixture after securing their Champions League knockout place with a 2-1 comeback win against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.
Match preview
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Despite taking the lead early on in their previous Bundesliga fixture, Augsburg lost 2-1 to Stuttgart, with the home side scoring a 91st-minute winner.
That result coming straight after throwing away a 3-0 lead against RB Leipzig further illustrates the struggles the team has been having recently.
The season has never really got going for Enrico Maassen's side, as they lost four of their opening five games of this season before three consecutive wins but then a period of no wins in their last four fixtures.
Ermedin Demirovic has scored three times in their last five Bundesliga games and does look like the player that could give his side the potential spark to win a game before the World Cup break, especially as they face struggling VfL Bochum in their last fixture before the World Cup.
This fixture against a Frankfurt side who exerted a lot of energy in their win against Sporting Lisbon could provide a great opportunity for three points. Before the red card against Leipzig, they showed their potential to be an attacking threat when they face good sides in the division.
Eintracht Frankfurt put the disappointment of the defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the league behind them, as they went to Lisbon and successfully qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League, thanks to the winner from Randal Kolo Muani.
Muani is having an impressive first season for Frankfurt after joining the club in the summer; not only did he score the decisive goal in their Champions League tie but he has also contributed three goals and a league-leading seven assists in the Bundesliga.
Despite the defeat in their last league fixture, Frankfurt are still well placed in the table, sitting in fifth, just six points from the top. They are also one of only two sides to beat the impressive Union Berlin so far this season.
Jesper Lindstrom has scored three times in their last three Bundesliga fixtures, as well as scoring in the game against Union Berlin, and will be hoping to continue his impressive form in front of goal. Frankfurt have scored 25 times in just 12 games this season and have several sources to call upon for goals.
Die Alder will be hoping to secure another victory in this fixture, as they look to stay in touch with the Champions League qualification places, a competition they managed to qualify for last season as they won the Europa League.
Team News
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Augsburg have a major problem in central midfield for this game as both Carlos Gruezo and Elvis Rexhbecaj picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season against Stuttgart and are suspended for this game.
Arne Maier will likely be one of the two players to come into the midfield, with Ruben Vargas or Julian Baumgartlinger potential options for the other midfield position.
First-choice goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz could also return to the team after missing the last five games but he may just appear on the bench as he is eased back into the squad.
After their efforts in Europe, there may be a few more changes than expected for Frankfurt, but if they have all recovered well, Glasner may be tempted to stick with the same lineup.
The one change he could make from their last Bundesliga game is in the midfield, with Djibril Sow being replaced by Sebastian Rode, who impressed when he came on against Sporting Lisbon.
Augsburg possible starting lineup:
Koubek; Pedersen, Gouweleeuw, Bauer, Jensen; Demirovic, Maier, Baumgartlinger, Vargas; Berisha, Niederlechner
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; N'Dicka, Jakic, Tuta; Pellegrini, Kamada, Rode, Ebimbe; Gotze, Muani, Lindstrom
We say: Augsburg 1-3 Eintracht Frankfurt
Despite a tough Champions League tie in midweek, Frankfurt should have enough quality to pick up a victory against an Augsburg side that will make it difficult for them but should ultimately not trouble them too much.
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