Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Augsburg – prediction, team news, lineups

As the international break draws to a close, Bundesliga managers Bayern Munich is set to host the lower half Augsburg on Friday at the Allianz Arena in their 11th league game of the season.

Bavaria defeated third-last St Pauli 1-0 on November 9 and have 26 points from a possible 30, more than double the visitors, who are sixth last in 13th place with 12 points and was held to a 0-0 draw by Hoffenheim on November 10.

Match preview

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The hosts will be keen to maintain their status as the only unbeaten team left in the Bundesliga, having won their last four top-flight matches.

Against St. Pauli created Bayern a bit in the final third, but managed to limit their opponents to just three shots, none of which were on target.

Vincent Kompanys team’s victory against St. Pauli was their second 1-0 win in a row, in contrast to their goalscoring exploits in the previous six games, when they netted 20 times.

The fact that the Bavarians were strong from a defensive perspective was not lost on Kompany, who highlighted his players’ performances off the ball, telling reporters: “We did well defensively, that was definitely our strength today. We didn’t play as effectively , when we went forward, as we have done recently.”

Since lost 4-1 against Barcelona on October 23 i Champions LeagueBayern have won their last five matches without conceding.

Kompany’s side boast a remarkable home record as they have won nine and drawn two of their last 11 games at the Allianz Arena, scoring 20 goals and conceding just three times in their six home games this term.

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As for Augsburg, they are just four points from St. Pauli in 16th place, which occupies the division’s relegation playoff spot.

Their clash against Hoffenheim was closely contested, although Fuggerstadter arguably improved the game in terms of opportunities given that they produced 16 shots compared to Hoffenheim’s 11.

Manager Jess Thorup praised his team for their defensive resilience in the wake of the draw, but mentioned that the team relinquished control of proceedings in the second half, saying: “We had a lot of shots and gave very little away defensively. Unfortunately, we didn’t start the second half well and the opponents controlled the game better.”

In the Bundesliga, Augsburg have managed to score 13 times, but they have also conceded 20 goals, and these records make them the joint fifth-worst offensive and fourth-worst defensive club in the division.

It should be noted that while Thorup’s side are close to the relegation zone, they are unbeaten in their last four matches, having drawn twice and won twice, and have collected eight points from the last 15 offers, as many as they had served. in the previous 13 league games.

The away form of the visitors is worrying as the team have been beaten in seven of their last eight away games in the top flight, drawing only once in that period.

Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:

Bayern Munich form (all competitions):

Augsburg Bundesliga form:

Augsburg form (all competitions):

Team news

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Bayern will have to find ways to defend against opposition attacks without a defensive midfielder Joao Palhinhawhich has been out of service until January 2025.

Aleksandar Pavlovic is approaching a comeback from a broken collarbone, but should Friday’s game come too early, Kompany can provide a double pivot consisting of, among other things, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.

The hosts will also be without a centre-back Hiroki Ito and right back Josip Stanisicand goalkeeper Sven Ulreichso expect Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae to protect Manuel Neuer’s goal.

Meanwhile, Augsburg defends Reece Oxford continues to be absent as a result of prolonged COVID, while midfielders Tim Breithaupt and Fredrik Jensen is not scheduled to return until early December.

Nediljko Labrovic is almost certain to start between the posts behind a back three Chrislain Matsima, Jeffrey Gouweleuw and Keven Schlotterbeck.

Kristijan Jakic will likely be selected at the bottom of a midfield three alongside Frank Onyeka and Arne Maier.

Bayern Munich possible starting line-up:
Neuer; Guerreiro, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Coman; Kane

Augsburg possible starting line-up:
Labrovic; Matsima, Gouweleuw, Schlotterbeck; Wolf, Onyeka, Jakic, Maier, Giannoulis; Claude-Maurice, Tietz

We say: Bayern Munich 3-1 Augsburg

While Bayern have only won by narrow margins in their last two matches, they have been prolific in front of goal all season and it wouldn’t be surprising if they hit the back of the net several times.

As the hosts will not be able to select a specialist defensive midfielder, Augsburg can create chances in transition, but the Bavarians should still go into Friday’s clash as strong favourites.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, please click here.

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