In their last match, Augsburg could be considered lucky to get away with a point. They didn't create any big - chance opportunities while facing Mainz, who had four big - chance opportunities.

Manager Jess Thorup must be worried. His team's tally of 24 goals in the top - flight is the lowest among the top 12 teams. In fact, they have generated the lowest expected goals (xG) of any team in the league.

Defensively, at the other end of the pitch, the Fuggerstadter have shown some solidity recently. They have conceded just three times in their past six games and managed to keep three clean sheets. However, with a total of 35 goals conceded so far, they are tied for the fourth - worst defensive record among the top 14 clubs in the Bundesliga.

Augsburg's recent form has been a bit inconsistent. They are winless in their last three outings, with one loss and two draws. But it's worth remembering that they had a good run before that, winning their three previous games. Their only defeat in the last six matches was in the DFB - Pokal against Stuttgart on February 4.

When it comes to home games, although Thorup's side have lost two of their three most recent home matches, their overall home record this season at the WWK Arena is quite decent. They have won six, drawn two, and lost only three out of their 10 games there.

Opponents Leipzig defeated St Pauli 2-0 on February 9 in the Bundesliga, and to their credit they managed to hold onto their 2-0 lead despite Willi Orban's dismissal in the 69th minute, limiting St Pauli to just two shots inside the box after the red card.

Die Roten Bullen will hope for a repeat of the reverse fixture against Augsburg given they emerged as 4-0 winners on September 28, with all four goals scored by the 57th minute.

The visitors are only one point above fifth-placed Stuttgart, and just four points separates them from seventh-placed Mainz, who they play in the league at the beginning of March.

Marco Rose has come under pressure for his team's mixed performances this season, and though they have kept two consecutive clean sheets in the Bundesliga, they conceded 14 goals in their previous five.

Leipzig have lost one, won one and been held to a stalemate in three of their past five league matches, but they have only been beaten in two of their last nine top-flight games.

However, Rose will have significant concerns about his team's record on the road considering they have been defeated in seven, drawn two and triumphed in just one of their 10 most recent fixtures away from home.

Augsburg may have to compete against Leipzig with a makeshift squad considering numerous stars have been ruled out, including defenders Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, Mads Valentin Pedersen and Robert Gumny.

Since Chrislain Matsima and Keven Schlotterbeck could also be absent from the backline due to illness, perhaps Cedric Zesiger, David Deger and Noahkai Banks will play in a back three.

Striker Mergim Berisha and midfielder Yusuf Kabadayi are not available as a result of injury, and their absences could mean Arne Maier and Frank Onyeka start in a double pivot behind Samuel Essende.

As for the visitors, El Chadaille Bitshiabu, Lutsharel Geertruida and Castello Lukeba could be fielded in a back three considering Orban is suspended, as well as the fact Benjamin Henrichs will miss the rest of the season.

Leipzig may select a midfield two consisting of Amadou Haidara and Kevin Kampl considering Forzan Assan Ouedraogo and Xaver Schlager are not likely to be in the XI because of fitness issues.

Elsewhere, while striker Yussuf Poulsen has been ruled out until early March, regular forwards Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda are both fit.

Augsburg possible starting lineup:

Dahmen; Zesiger, Deger, Banks; Wolf, Maier, Onyeka, Giannoulis; Jensen, Claude-Maurice; Essende

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Gulacsi; Geertruida, Bitshiabu, Castello; Baku, Haidara, Kampl, Raum; Xavi; Sesko, Openda