Preview: Hertha Berlin vs. Augsburg - prediction, team news, lineups

Hertha Berlin play host to Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday afternoon with just four points separating the two clubs in the standings.

While 10th-placed Hertha are unbeaten since the resumption of Germany's top flight, Augsburg have recorded four points from their last two fixtures.

Match preview

When football was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hertha boss Bruno Labbadia would have had mixed emotions from a footballing perspective after three games without success.

However, an upturn in results, combined with the form of the other teams in the bottom half of the table, has resulted in Hertha pulling away from safety.

Seven points from three matches have been recorded behind-closed doors, a return which is second only to leaders Bayern Munich, and Labbadia will now feel that his side can get themselves into the race for a Europa League spot.

Nine goals have also been netted from fixtures against Hoffenheim, Union Berlin and RB Leipzig, with just Vedad Ibisevic and Matheus Cunha having more two strikes to their name.

Nevertheless, with a trip to Borussia Dortmund to follow, Labbadia will acknowledge that there is pressure to gain three points from this encounter, which would effectively put themselves out of reach of the teams in the bottom three.

From Augsburg's perspective, collecting four points from their last two outings has eased their concerns regarding relegation to the second tier.

While there would have been frustration with a goalless draw at home to bottom-of-the-table side Paderborn in midweek, it was ultimately another point towards safety.

As well as now being four points above the relegation playoff spot, keeping back-to-back clean sheets is another huge plus for Heiko Herrlich's team.

Although Augsburg have a favourable run-in compared to some of their rivals, they still need more points on the board if they are to avoid become a factor in the race to stay out of the bottom two.

Hertha Berlin Bundesliga form: LDDWWD

Augsburg Bundesliga form: LLLLWD

Team News

Although Labbadia would prefer to retain the same starting lineup, the Hertha head coach will take fitness into consideration as his side prepare to play their third game in just over a week.

With Marvin Plattenhardt having suffered a concussion in midweek, Maximilian Mittelstadt and Luca Netz are in contention to replace him at left-back.

Krzysztof Piatek is pushing for a start in attack, while Rune Jarstein will keep his place between the sticks with Thomas Kraft on the sidelines.

Marius Wolf and Santiago Ascacibar are both expected to miss out on a place in the squad due to foot injuries.

Given the short turnaround, Augsburg boss Herrlich will consider handing a start to former Arsenal defender Stephan Lichtsteiner.

Although Alfred Finnbogason is close to returning from a knee problem, the Iceland international is unlikely to be thrown into the starting XI.

Hertha Berlin possible starting lineup: Jarstein; Pekarik, Torunarigha, Boyata, Mittelstadt; Skjelbred, Darida, Grujic; Cunha, Lukebakio, Ibisevic

Augsburg possible starting lineup: Luthe, Framberger, Jedvaj, Uduokhai, Max; Baier, Khedira; Richter, Lowen, Bazee; Niederlechner

We say: Hertha Berlin 2-1 Augsburg

While Hertha have been terrific since the restart, we feel that this will be a closely-fought battle. Nevertheless, with a number of teams above them in their sights, we expect the home side to prevail by a narrow margin, leaving Augsburg to keep looking over their shoulder towards the relegation zone.