Bundesliga | Gameweek 16

Jan 12, 2025 at 4.30pm UK

WWK Arena

Augsburg vs Stuttgart

Match preview

Augsburg got the lead against Holstein Kiel after just five minutes, but then went into a bit of a slump in the first half, letting in four goals from four shots on target.

Head coach Jess Thorup challenged his players to show a reaction on the weekend to the defeat, saying: "We need to show the FC Augsburg DNA on the pitch – passion, strength, and commitment. If we can do that, then we're on our way to picking up points."

Thorup's team have only scored 17 times in the Bundesliga, which is the fourth-worst tally in the whole league. Their record of 32 goals conceded is also the fourth-worst return.

The Fuggerstadter haven't won in their last three games, losing their last two and drawing three of their last seven Bundesliga games.But Augsburg have been doing well at home this season, winning five, drawing two and only losing two of their nine games at WWK Arena.

Stuttgart might feel they should have found the back of the net against St. Pauli, as they had four big chances, but they were probably just lucky to have conceded only once, given all the chances they faced.

Manager Sebastian Hoeness was critical of his side's finishing in the final third, telling reporters: "It hurts to end the year with a defeat. We had our moments and chances, but just didn't manage to score. That's something we have to be self-critical about today."

Last season, Die Roten scored 78 league goals, but this year they're on track to score just 65.But to be fair to Hoeness's team, they did win the last four games they played, with a total score of 14-4.The visitors have also only been beaten once in their last six away games, winning three and drawing two.

Recent Performance

Augsburg Bundesliga form:DLWDLL

Augsburg form (all competitions):LWWDLL

Stuttgart Bundesliga form:LWDWWL

Stuttgart form (all competitions):DWWWWL

Team News

The hosts won't be able to pick defenders Keven Schlotterbeck and Mads Valentin Pedersen until late January, so Augsburg might field a back three of Maximilian Bauer, Dimitrios Gouweleeuw and Chrislain Matsima.

Kristijan Jakic is likely to be partnered by Frank Onyeka and Elvis Rexhbecaj in midfield due to Masaya Okugawa and Yusuf Kabadayi's respective injuries.

Alexis Claude-Maurice scored in his side's last match, so he might start alongside striker Phillip Tietz in a front two.

Stuttgart won't be able to select centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou until early February, so expect Anthony Rouault and Julian Chabot to be stationed in front of goalkeeper Alexander Nubel.

Nick Woltemade and Ermedin Demirovic may be trusted to lead the visitors' attack, given forwards El Bilal Toure and Justin Diehl have been ruled out.

In midfield, Atakan Karazor and Angelo Stiller started together in their team's most recent victory – a 3-1 win against Heidenheim on 15 December – and they could play together on Sunday.

Possible starting lineup

Augsburg possible starting lineup:

Labrovic; Bauer, Gouweleeuw, Matsima; Wolf, Onyeka, Jakic, Rexhbecaj, Giannoulis; Claude-Maurice, Tietz

Stuttgart possible starting lineup:

Nubel; Vagnoman, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Millot, Karazor, Stiller, Fuhrich; Woltemade, Demirovic