Bundesliga | Gameweek 20

Feb 1, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

Millerntor-Stadion

St Pauli vs Augsburg

Match preview

St Pauli head into the weekend on their best run of the season, having won back-to-back games for the first time in the 2024-25 season.

After a poor start to the season, with four defeats in five matches, the Kiezkicker bounced back with an impressive 2-0 win away at Heidenheim and a commanding 3-0 defeat at Union Berlin, a result that saw Alexander Blessin's side climb two places to 13th on 20 points.

St. Pauli's revival has been marked by bright starts, defensive resilience and strong finishes, as they have taken the lead in the first 45 minutes of both games, kept clean sheets and finished with late goals.

In doing so, the 'Freibeuter der Liga' have secured back-to-back wins and kept their opponents scoreless for the first time in their history, taking their season tally to seven shutouts - behind only RB Leipzig (eight) and leaders Bayern Munich (nine).

Looking to extend their perfect run into the second half of the season, St Pauli face a stern test against an in-form Augsburg side who have won their last three matches.

However, the hosts will be buoyed by their strong record at the Millerntor, having won two of the last three meetings between the two sides.

Jess Thorup's side have also been in fine form, recording impressive 2-0 wins away to Union Berlin and Werder Bremen before beating Heidenheim 2-1 at home last weekend.

Augsburg had previously gone four games without a win, losing the last three, but their revival has seen them win three Bundesliga games in a row - their first such run since winning four in a row between February and March 2024.

With 25 points from 19 games, the Fuggerstädter are enjoying their best campaign at this stage since 2017-18, when they had 27 points.

Augsburg's upturn in form has also been driven by a drastic improvement in their away results, with their last two away victories their only such successes of the season after failing to win any of their first seven matches.

The visitors will be looking to build on this momentum as they go for their first ever league double at St Pauli, having won the reverse fixture 3-1 in September.

Recent Performance

St Pauli Bundesliga form:LWLLWW

Augsburg Bundesliga form:LLLWWW

Team News

The hosts welcome back Adam Dzwigala and Eric Smith from suspension, but Simon Zoller is out with a muscle injury, while Connor Metcalfe is struggling with an adductor problem.

Karol Mets (kneecap) and Robert Wagner (thigh) remain sidelined, while back-up goalkeepers Sascha Burchert and Soren Ahlers are also out with long-term knee injuries.

Morgan Guilavogui has scored three goals in his last two games, including a brace against Union, and the 26-year-old will be hoping to continue his fine form when he takes his place on the flank.

Although Cedric Zesiger returns from suspension, the visitors have a number of injury absentees, including Kristijan Jakic (muscle) and Henri Koudossou (hamstring), both of whom are expected to return in February, while Reece Oxford continues his recovery from illness.

Mads Valentin Pedersen (groin) and Yusuf Kabadayi (knee) have also undergone surgery and will be out for some time.

Alexis Claude-Maurice, the club's top scorer with six goals, will be hoping to end a two-match goal drought.

Possible starting lineup

St Pauli possible starting lineup:

Vasilj; Nemeth, Smith, Wahl; Saliakas, Irvine, Boukhalfa, Treu; Guilavogui, Eggestein, Weißhaupt

Augsburg possible starting lineup:

Dahmen; Matsima, Gouweleeuw, Banks; Wolf, Onyeka, Rexhbecaj, Giannoulis; Claude-Maurice, Maier; Essende