Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund face off at the WWK Arena on Friday evening in what promises to be an intriguing Bundesliga clash.
Augsburg vs Borussia Dortmund – Match Preview and Team News
- Date: 31st October, Friday.
- Kick-off: 7:30pm BST
- Venue: WWK Arena, Augsburg.
Augsburg Team News
Sandro Wagner’s side faces a significant defensive crisis heading into this crucial fixture. Captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw remains sidelined with a medial collateral ligament tear sustained in September and will not return until mid-November.
The Dutchman’s absence has been keenly felt by the Fuggerstädter, who have struggled defensively throughout the campaign. There’s no other injury news as of now, but further reports are to be shared during the pre-match press conference.
Borussia Dortmund Team News
Niko Kovač has received positive news ahead of the trip to Augsburg, with Ramy Bensebaini returning to full fitness after missing the DFB Pokal tie against Eintracht Frankfurt due to back problems. The centre-back trained fully on Thursday and is available for selection, providing a significant boost to Dortmund’s defensive options.
However, Niklas Süle remains a doubt with a swollen toe and will likely miss another game. The experienced defender has endured a frustrating season with injury setbacks. Long-term absentees Emre Can and Julien Duranville continue their rehabilitation from adductor and shoulder injuries respectively.
Kovač confirmed that “everyone else is fully involved” and expressed confidence that his squad depth would allow them to compete effectively despite the absences.
Form
Augsburg
Wagner’s men have endured a torrid run of results, losing five of their last seven league matches. The nadir came last weekend when they were humiliated 6-0 at home by RB Leipzig, their heaviest defeat of the season. That embarrassment was followed by a 1-0 loss to second-tier Bochum in the DFB Pokal on Tuesday, compounding the misery at the WWK Arena.
Augsburg currently sit 15th in the Bundesliga table with just seven points from eight games, only three points above the relegation zone. They have conceded a league-high 20 goals and have failed to keep a single clean sheet this season. The defensive fragility has become a major concern, with the team shipping 14 goals in just four home matches.
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund arrive in a buoyant mood after stringing together three consecutive victories across all competitions. They secured a vital 1-0 win over FC Köln last Saturday thanks to a late Maximilian Beier strike, demonstrating their ability to grind out results. Midweek brought another success as they progressed to the DFB Pokal Round of 16 following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Black and Yellows sit fourth in the Bundesliga with 17 points from eight matches, seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich. Under Kovač’s guidance, Dortmund have rediscovered their defensive solidity whilst maintaining their attacking threat. They boast the second-best defensive record in the league after Bayern, conceding just six goals.
Predicted Lineups
Augsburg: Dahmen; Banks, Matsima, Jakic; Giannoulis, Fellhauer, Massengo, Kade; Saad, Rieder; Komur.
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Bensebaini, Schlotterbeck, Anton; Svensson, Nmecha, Gross, Ryerson; Chukwuemeka, Adeyemi; Guirassy.
How to Watch Augsburg vs Borussia Dortmund?
UK fans can watch the game on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport Website and the Bundesliga’s official YouTube channel.
Read Also – 📈 Power Rankings: Premier League high-flyers surge in
See More – Manchester United defender nears return after training comeback
