Preview: Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Augsburg - prediction, team news, lineups

Borussia Monchengladbach and Augsburg will both be looking to bounce back from defeats when they face off in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Gladbach went down 4-3 to Bayer Leverkusen in their most recent outing before the international break, while Augsburg - a point worse off in 10th - lost 3-0 to Hertha Berlin.

Match preview

After seven games of the elongated 2019-20 campaign, Gladbach found themselves top of the Bundesliga following a thumping 5-1 win over Augsburg.

Marco Rose's side have not been as quick out of the blocks this time around, it is fair to say, but Die Fohlen have plenty of time to break into the top four.

The thrilling 4-3 loss to Leverkusen two weeks ago brought an end to Gladbach's eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

That included back-to-back wins over Mainz 05 and RB Leipzig in the German top flight, and the aim for Rose's side is to regain some of that momentum.

Gladbach are without a defeat at home since May, winning four and drawing two league games since then, as well as playing out a 2-2 Champions League draw with Real Madrid.

With a vital European showdown against Shakhtar Donetsk to come in midweek, plus a home league meeting with Schalke 04 a few days later, Gladbach will need to make full use of their squad.

Augsburg's sole focus has been on the league, but that has not exactly helped them of late as they have collected just four points from the last 15 on offer, most recently going down 3-0 to Hertha Berlin at the WWK Arena.

Heiko Herrlich's charges have at least made themselves tough to beat on their travels, losing only one of their last six away games across all competitions.

This is not a fixture Augsburg tend to do well in, though, having gone seven games without a win against Gladbach in a run stretching back to December 2016.

Borussia Monchengladbach Bundesliga form: DWDWWL Borussia Monchengladbach form (all competitions): DWDWWL

Augsburg Bundesliga form: WDLLWL

Team News

Gladbach are without Jonas Hofmann (thigh) and Andreas Poulsen (shoulder) for Saturday's match, while Denis Zakaria is struggling for fitness.

Breel Embolo led the line against Leverkusen but Rose may be tempted to go with Alassane Plea through the middle for this game, with Marcus Thuram - now capped at senior level by France - offering support.

Florian Neuhaus also featured heavily during the international break, including an appearance in Germany's 6-0 loss to Spain, but he should be fit to play a full part this weekend.

As for Augsburg, they also have a couple of players ruled out as Noah Sarenren Bazee and Jan Moravek are carrying knee and thigh injuries respectively.

Fredrik Jensen, who has featured five times in the Bundesliga this term, is also expected to miss out with an ankle issue.

Herrlich may be tempted to make some changes on the back of his side's latest defeat, with Florian Niederlechner in line to start up top.

Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup: Sommer; Lainer, Ginter, Elvedi, Bensebaini; Kramer, Neuhaus; Lazaro, Stindl, Thuram; Plea

Augsburg possible starting lineup: Gikiewicz; Framberger, Gouweleeuw, Uduokhai, Iago; Caligiuri, Khedira, Gruezo, Vargas; Niederlechner, Hahn

We say: Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 Augsburg

Gladbach lost by the odd goal in seven last time out - the first time they have shipped four or more in a league games under Rose - and will be looking to respond this weekend.

Augsburg have lost three of their last four matches and are without a win away to Gladbach since May 2015, so we are tipping the hosts to come out on top on Saturday.

Top betting tip

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