Bundesliga | Gameweek 17

Jan 15, 2025 at 7.30pm UK

Stadion An der Alten Forsterei

Union Berlin vs Augsburg

Match preview

While defeat at the hands of Heidenheim, who had lost eight and drawn one of their previous nine games, can be seen as a bad result, the hosts' poor performance can be mitigated by the fact that they were reduced to 10 men in the 37th minute.

The defeat was also manager Steffen Baumgart's first game in charge of the club, and captain Christopher Trimmel reflected positively on the period his side had 11 players, telling reporters: "For the short time we have now spent with the new coach, a few things have been really good. We have to continue there."

Interestingly, while Union's return of 14 goals is the third-worst in the Bundesliga, they are the third-best defensive team in the top flight with 21 goals conceded.

The Eisernen have failed to win any of their last 10 matches, losing seven and drawing three.

The hosts are also winless in their last four home games, although they have only been beaten once in seven outings at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei, winning their first three home games.

As for Augsburg, they can hardly complain about their defeat against Stuttgart as they managed just 0.3 xG, two shots on target and no real chances.

Manager Jess Thorup admitted that his side were outclassed for periods last weekend and felt his team could have done more in the final third, saying: "Firstly, I'd like to congratulate the opponents. They started the game really well and we struggled to put them under pressure.

"From the halfway point of the first half onwards, we improved, pressed high and won the ball back well on a few occasions. In this period of momentum, we didn't manage to turn our chances into goals. In the second half too, we kept working hard, which obviously makes the 1-0 defeat even more painful."

Although Augsburg have scored three more goals than their hosts, they have also conceded 12 more in the Bundesliga - the fourth-worst attacking and third-worst defensive record in the division.

Thorup will be concerned that his side have lost their last three matches by a combined score of 8-1, and that they have won just once in their last eight Bundesliga games, going down to defeat on four occasions.

The visitors' away form is also worrying, having lost five, drawn two and won just two of their nine away games this season.

Recent Performance

Union Berlin Bundesliga form:LLLDLL

Augsburg Bundesliga form:LWDLLL

Augsburg form (all competitions):WWDLLL

Team News

Baumgart will be without the services of suspended full-back Tom Rothe and injured goalkeepers Frederik Ronnow and Yannic Stein.

Wing-back Josip Juranovic is also unavailable, leaving Trimmel and Robert Skov to flank centre-backs Danilho Doekhi, Kevin Vogt and Diogo Leite.

Midfielder Laszlo Benes is a doubt with a stomach problem, which could mean Union go with a midfield partnership of Rani Khedira and Aljoscha Kemlein.

Meanwhile, Augsburg will be without defenders Maximilian Bauer, Mads Valentin Pedersen, Keven Schlotterbeck and Marius Wolf, which could mean a back three of Noahkai Banks, Dimitrios Gouweleeuw and Chrislain Matsima.

Midfielders Masaya Okugawa and Yusuf Kabaday will not return to the matchday squad, meaning Frank Onyeka, Kristijan Jakic and Elvis Rexhbecaj are all likely to feature on Wednesday.

Up front, strikers Alexis Claude-Maurice and Phillip Tietz are likely to spearhead Thorup's attack.

Possible starting lineup

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:

Schwolow; Doekhi, Vogt, Leite; Trimmel, Khedira, Kemlein, Skov; Skarke, Jordan, Hollerbach

Augsburg possible starting lineup:

Dahmen; Matsima, Gouweleeuw, Banks; Gumny, Onyeka, Jakic, Rexhbecaj, Giannoulis; Claude-Maurice, Tietz