FC Augsburg – Bayer Leverkusen
The football-free period in German professional soccer is finally over, as the Bundesliga returns to the living rooms this weekend. In the Saturday conference, in which five games are scheduled this week, the league leaders will also kick off the new year. The Werkself will then travel to the Fuggerstadt on Saturday afternoon. You can find out who will come out on top in this clash in our Augsburg – Leverkusen betting tip.
The hosts will be looking to get back to winning ways. Before the winter break, there were three games without a three-pointer. In the last game of 2023, they also suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to VfB Stuttgart.
Leverkusen, on the other hand, went into the festive period with a sense of achievement. The Werkself delivered a convincing 4:0 against Bochum, impressively consolidating their lead at the top of the table. With 42 points after 16 games, Bayer 04 continues to deliver an absolutely historic season
Augsburg – Leverkusen info
- Date & Time: 13.01.2024, 3:30 pm
- Playing venue: WWK Arena, Augsburg
- Competition: Bundesliga, 17th matchday
- TV broadcast: Sky
Augsburg Form & Balance Check
Under the direction of coach Enrico Maaßen, FC Augsburg experienced a difficult start to the season, continuing the persistent weakness of the previous second half of the season. A defeat at home to Darmstadt left FCA in 15th place in the table. Those responsible at the Lech responded by sacking the coach. Jess Thorup, his successor, brought a clear improvement.
The Dane stabilized Augsburg’s situation and led them out of the relegation battle. However, shortly before the winter break, the Fuggerstädter seemed to run out of steam and only picked up one point in their last three games. They also suffered a 3-0 defeat against Stuttgart in their last game before Christmas
Augsburger strong at home
FCA can once again rely on its strength at home this season. Especially after the change of coach, it is almost impossible to win at the Lech. Augsburg are still maintaining their flawless record under Thorup in front of a home crowd and will be aiming to continue that streak on Saturday.
The Fuggerstädter have recorded two wins and two draws in their four home games. Most recently, FCA also drew 1-1 against Borussia Dortmund. This leaves Augsburg in 11th place in the home table
Augsburg facts & analysis
- Did you know that FC Augsburg only score 4% of their goals between the 0-15 minute mark? That’s the worst figure in the league.
- FC Augsburg have not lost any of their last 6 home matches.
- FC Augsburg’s home record this season: 3 wins – 4 draws – 1 defeat.
Leverkusen Form & Balance Check
Bayer 04 Leverkusen were probably the strongest team in the Bundesliga in the first half of the season. Under coach Xabi Alonso, the Werkself reached for the stars and therefore completely deserved to spend the winter at the top of the table. After 16 games, only four teams in Bundesliga history have finished better than the Rhinelanders this year.
In the first 16 games of the Bundesliga, the Werkself have only conceded six points and are still without defeat. In the Europa League and DFB Cup, Leverkusen have even won every single game so far
Hradecky in form
In the first half of the season, Leverkusen’s offense was the main focus. But the Werkself’s defense is also definitely impressive. Lukas Hradecky has kept a clean sheet seven times this Bundesliga season. No other goalkeeper has managed that in the 16 games so far. As a result, Leverkusen now even have the best defense in the league with only twelve goals conceded.
The Finnish keeper also has a well-known connection to this weekend’s opposing coach. From 2011 to 2013, he played for Esbjerg fB under the guidance of head coach Jess Thorup
Leverkusen facts & analysis
- Bayer Leverkusen have not lost any of their last 28 games.
- Bayer Leverkusen’s away record this season: 5 wins – 2 draws – 0 defeats.
- A year ago, Bayer Leverkusen were 9th in the table with 21 points. They are currently in 1st place (42).
Predicted line-up – last update on January 11, 2024
We expect a 4-2-3-1 formation again for the Fuggerstädter. Compared to the Stuttgart defeat, we don’t expect too many changes to the starting eleven. However, Mads Pedersen will be missing with a yellow card.
In last year’s match, the Werkself already tested how they would play without the Africa Cup players. We therefore expect the same line-up as in the Bochum game. However, Edmond Tapsoba, Odilon Kossounou and Amine Adli are all unavailable to Leverkusen due to international duty
Augsburg – Leverkusen head-to-head & stats
In the previous season, Augsburg won both games against the Werkself. However, the Fuggerstädter have not won any of the previous 24 matches against Bayer 04. Leverkusen, on the other hand, have already won 17 three-pointers against FCA.
- In the last 26 duels, FC Augsburg have left the pitch as winners 3 times. 7 games ended in a draw, Bayer Leverkusen won 16 times. Bayer Leverkusen have a goal difference of 55-24.
- Last season, FC Augsburg won both games against Bayer Leverkusen (1-0 at home and 2-1 away).
- Ermedin Demirovic is the top scorer with 8 goals. Victor Boniface scored 10 times for Bayer Leverkusen.
- On average FC Augsburg scores 1.2 goals against Bayer Leverkusen and Bayer Leverkusen scores 2.2 goals against FC Augsburg.
- FC Augsburg scores an average of 2 goals when playing at home and Bayer Leverkusen scores an average of 2.1 goals when playing away.
