Augsburg – Stuttgart : Preview & Prediction
After their 3-2 loss to RB Leipzig last weekend, Augsburg coach Enrico Maaßen was left cursing his team’s lack of “luck”. However, that was the fourth time in their last five games in which they managed to score first that they failed to win (E2, P3), suggesting that there might be more than just bad luck affecting their ability to cling on to crucial advantages.
Augsburg finished the day in fourteenth place and only five points ahead of their opponents, a Stuttgart side in the relegation play-off spot. Until their recent 3-1 home loss to Cologne, the home side had avoided defeat in five league matches at the WWK Arena (G4, E1). However, that defeat plus the 1-1 draw against then bottom side Schalke before that hinted that their strong home advantage might be starting to leave them ahead of what could be a crucial clash.
Stuttgart showed remarkable character the previous day, recovering from being 2-0 down at halftime against Dortmund to then score an equalizer in stoppage time after falling behind in the 90th minute – all despite being down to ten men since the 39th minute. After the game, coach Sebastian Hoeneß understandably praised his team’s morale, but will be acutely aware that they will need to produce more of the same here if they are to pull away from relegation.
Delivering away from home has been one of Stuttgart’s biggest problems, as evidenced by their inability to win in their first 13 away league games of the season (E5, P8). They finally broke that streak in their most recent outing on the road when they defeated Bochum 3-2. That result meant that the “Swabians” have managed to find the net in ten of their 14 away league games this season, so a strong defensive display could be key to giving them another crucial three points here.
Players to watch: After serving his suspension, Augsburg will pin their offensive hopes on their second leading scorer, Ermedin Demirović (seven goals), as he delivered an assist in each of their last two home games. For Stuttgart, Silas Katompa scored the equalizer last time out, scoring four of his five league goals this season in the second half, with three coming in the final 15 minutes.
Big Fact: Augsburg has never drawn at home against Stuttgart in the Bundesliga (G6, P3) with seven of those nine games producing more than 2.5 total goals.
Augsburg – Stuttgart : Betting Tips
BTS/YES Odds: 2.25
