Hoffenheim vs. Augsburg preview: European push meets survival fight | OneFootball

Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim head into the weekend full of confidence after extending their unbeaten run to six matches, though they will feel that they should have picked up all three points after their 1-1 draw at Mainz. 

Christian Ilzer’s side have been one of the Bundesliga’s form teams across recent weeks, collecting more points than any other side over the last five matchdays and firing themselves firmly into the European conversation.

Their attacking output has been particularly impressive, with 13 goals scored in their last five league games.

Die Sinsheimer are now just five points off second-placed RB Leipzig and will be eyeing another statement performance as they chase their first competitive victory over Augsburg since April 2024.

Team news

Hoffenheim remain without defender Koki Machida (knee) and forward Adam Hlozek (foot), both of whom continue their recoveries.

Predicted lineup - 4-1-2-1-2: Baumann - Coufal, Hajdari, Hranac, Bernardo - Avdullahu - Prömel, Burger - Kramaric - Toure, Asllani

Augsburg

Augsburg arrive with a much-needed sense of relief after ending a dire run of five games without a win by beating Hamburg 1-0 last weekend, extending their gap to the relegation play-off place to three points in the process. 

The pressure on head coach Sandro Wagner has eased slightly, though his side remain in a shaky position, still searching for consistency and hoping to claim their first away victory since August.

Die Fuggerstädter had lost four straight matches before the international break but rediscovered some stability against HSV. 

They now face one of the Bundesliga’s most in-form opponents, and one of the division’s strongest home sides, in a test that will reveal where their survival hopes truly stand.

Team news

Augsburg are without suspended defender Keven Schlotterbeck, dismissed against HSV, while captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw is again expected to miss out with a knee issue.

Predicted lineup - 3-4-2-1: Dahmen - Banks, Matsima, Zesiger - Kade, Massengo, Fellhauer, Giannoulis - Rieder, Claude-Maurice - Kömür