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Bayern logo
Bundesliga
May 9, 2015 at 2.30pm UK
 
Augsburg logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Bobadilla (71')

Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Augsburg

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Bundesliga clash between Bayern Munich and Augsburg.

Champions Bayern Munich will have the chance to damage Augsburg's European hopes when the two sides meet at the Allianz Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Augsburg are looking to secure a place in the top six as they bid to reach the Europa League, while Bayern are set to make changes after a disappointing week in Europe.


Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring with his team-mates during the German Cup DFB Pokal semi-final football match FC Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund in Munich, southern Germany, on April 28, 2015© Getty Images

For the first time this season, the Bayern fans are likely to travel to the Allianz Arena low on confidence and with a negative outlook when the squad return to Bundesliga action on Saturday.

A club which is used to success in every competition cruised to the title in dominant fashion, but their treble bid was destroyed by a penalty shootout loss to Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal semi-final and they suffered another disappointment in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Lionel Messi was at his best at Camp Nou as Barcelona took a huge step towards the final by clinching a 3-0 victory in the first leg to ruin Pep Guardiola's return to his former club.

Criticism of Guardiola's tactics in the early stages of the game may have been justified, but there was very little the German champions could do about the late assault from the hosts and Bayern are facing a near impossible task ahead of the second leg.

That result is certain to have knocked the confidence of every Bayern player, and although the chances of them fighting back to reach the final are slim at best, Guardiola's focus will be firmly on the visit of Barcelona on Tuesday.

In the space of a week, Bayern have gone from celebrating title success to three matches without a win and they played their part in the Champions League race last weekend with a 2-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern rarely go so long without winning a game, and even if the target is causing a shock against Barcelona next week, Guardiola will be keen to see his side gain some momentum with a win in front of their fans on Saturday.

Recent form: LWWWWL
Recent form (all competitions): WWWLLL


Augsburg

FC Koln  Nigerian striker Anthony Ujah scores during the German first division Bundesliga football match 1 FC Cologne vs FC Augsburg in Cologne, western germany on December 6, 2014© Getty Images

Earlier in the campaign a top-four finish did not seem to be out of the question for an Augsburg side which has shocked so many people with their style and success in what should already be considered a fine season.

However, if Markus Weinzierl's side fall short in their bid for Europa League qualification, there will be a strong feeling of frustration among the supporters due to the collapse they have suffered in the second half of the campaign.

Despite winning just one of their last eight league games, Augsburg remain in control of sixth spot with three games remaining and they currently sit just two points behind fifth-placed Schalke 04.

A Europa League spot is there for the taking, but the biggest challenge for Weinzierl will be to restore confidence as they look to halt a poor run of performances at the toughest ground to visit in Germany.

Visiting the champions when they have their focus on the Champions League should come as a boost, and with matches against Hannover and Borussia Monchengladbach to come, Augsburg may look at the clash with Bayern as an opportunity to turn their form around.

Recent form: LDLWLD


Team News

Bayern Munich's Spanish head coach Pep Guardiola (L) looks on during the UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Bayern Munchen at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 23, 2014© Getty Images

Bayern's injury list has dominated the headlines in recent weeks, and Guardiola was dealt another blow on Thursday with the news that Franck Ribery's ankle problem is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season.

There was finally some good news as David Alaba returned to light training, but he is unlikely to be risked for at least another week as he battles to reach full fitness.

Guardiola is expected to rest most of his key men ahead of the second leg with Barcelona, and the likes of Mitchell Weiser, Javi Martinez and Rico Strieder are all in line for starts.

Augsburg boss Weinzierl is unlikely to make major changes to his side following last weekend's goalless draw with FC Koln, but Dominik Kohr could return in midfield.

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Reina, Rafinha, Martinez, Dante, Weiser, Strieder, Gaudino, Lahm, Gotze, Thiago, Pizarro

Augsburg possible starting lineup:
Hitz, Verhaegh, Klavan, Hong, Baba, Feulner, Kohr, Baier, Feulner, Altintop, Werner, Bobadilla


Head To Head

Before injuries ended his season prematurely, Robben added Augsburg to his long list of victims by scoring twice in a 4-0 victory in the reverse fixture back in December.

Since arriving in the Bundesliga for the first time in 2011, Augsburg have played Bayern nine times in the league and DFB-Pokal, losing in eight of the matches.

Augsburg's only victory over Bayern came when Sacha Molders scored the winner in a 1-0 triumph at the SGL Arena last season.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Bayern 1-1 Augsburg

Bayern will have no choice other than to rest most of their key players as they bid to produce a shock against Barcelona on Tuesday night, and that should give a boost to Augsburg, who can afford to be positive at the home of the champions. Weinzierl's side will be tough to beat, and they'll be confident of picking up a point.



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Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez celebrates after scoring in a friendly match against Sao Paulo on July 31, 2013
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bayern MunichBayern108203372626
2RB Leipzig106311551021
3Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt1062226161020
4Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen104512116517
5Freiburg105231311217
6Union BerlinUnion Berlin1044298116
7Borussia DortmundDortmund105141818016
8Werder Bremen104331721-415
9Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach104241514114
10Mainz 05Mainz103431514113
11Stuttgart103431919013
12Wolfsburg103341918112
13Augsburg103341320-712
14Heidenheim103161315-210
15Hoffenheim102351319-69
16St Pauli10226712-58
17Holstein Kiel101271225-135
18VfL BochumVfL Bochum100281030-202


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