Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Consecutive defeats have piled pressure onto Augsburg ahead of this Friday night clash at home to Borussia Monchengladbach, who were winners in dramatic fashion last weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday October 4th 2024 – UK – 7:30pm / US ET – 2:30pm / US PT – 11:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – ESPN+
AUGSBURG PREVIEW: NOW THREE DEFEATS IN FOUR FOR STRUGGLING HOSTS
Only one point separates Augsburg from the Bundesliga’s bottom three and failing to win here would potentially see them drop into one of those dreaded places depending on results across the weekend. It’s now 14 goals conceded for the home side here, their latest loss being a 4-0 hammering at the hands of RB Leipzig.
Augsburg currently average three goals conceded per game across their last four league fixtures and this is something that desperately needs to change if Augsburg are to start climbing up the table. When taking into account Gladbach’s attacking issues, this serves as an ideal fixture for Augsburg to shore up their backline.
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH PREVIEW: CVANCARA SECURES LAST-GASP TRIUMPH
It looked like a goalless draw all the way between Borussia Monchengladbach and Union Berlin in the latest round of Bundesliga fixtures, until Tomas Cvancara stepped up off the bench in the 96th minute to score a priceless winner for Gerardo Seoane’s side. It was only their second victory of the 2024-25 Bundesliga campaign.
Gladbach were afforded some good news this week with the news that new signing Tim Kleindienst has been called up to the Germany senior squad for the first time. Having joined from Heidenheim this summer after scoring 12 goals for the newly promoted club, Kleindienst already boasts two goals and an assist for his new club. He’ll be hoping to mark his call-up with another goal here.
AUGSBURG TEAM NEWS: ESSENDE SUSPENDED, VARGAS SWEATING ON FITNESS
Wideman Ruben Vargas is fighting to be passed fit ahead of this match, having suffered an ankle injury. Also doubtful is Mads Pederson with a groin problem, whilst forward Samuel Essende is suspended.
PREDICTED XI: (3-4-3): Labrovic; Bauer, Gouweleeuw, Schlotterbeck; Wolf, Onyeka, Jakic, Giannoulis; Rexhbecaj, Tietz, Vargas
UNAVAILABLE: Essende (Suspended), Gumny (Injured), Klein (Injured), Oxford (Fitness)
QUESTIONABLE: Okugawa (Illness), Pedersen (Injured), Vargas (Injured)
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH TEAM NEWS: OMLIN STILL OUT, NGOUMOU JOINS INJURY-LIST
First-choice goalkeeper Jonas Omlin has been joined on the sidelines by winger Nathan Ngoumou, who has a muscle injury. Also still missing for Gladbach are the likes of Borges Sanches, Honorat and Olschowsky.
PREDICTED XI: (4-2-3-1): Nicolas; Lainer, Itakura, Elvedi, Netz; Sander, Weigl; Hack, Stoger, Plea; Kleindienst
UNAVAILABLE: Borges Sanches (Injured), Honorat (Injured), Ngoumou (Injured), Olschowsky (Injured), Omlin (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
AUGSBURG VS BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH PREDICTION
Coming off the back of such a dramatic late win, it’s crucial that Borussia Monchengladbach can use this as a momentum boost and really try and take the game to a struggling Augsburg side. However, with just six goals scored in the Bundesliga this season, one less than their opponents, it’s hard to see anything other than another night of struggle for the Gladbach attack. It would be no surprise if we saw a contest short on quality, particularly from an offensive perspective and it’s well worth backing under 2.5 goals to be scored.
AUGSBURG VS BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS