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TSG Hoffenheim vs. FC Augsburg
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim have finally put their opening defeat in Mönchengladbach behind them on Matchday 1 of the Bundesliga. After winning against Bochum the previous week, coach Andre Breitenreiter’s team followed it up with their second win in a row last weekend. Hoffenheim deservedly won 3-0 in Leverkusen, and the Sinsheim side will be looking to confirm their upward form in their upcoming home match against FC Augsburg.
In contrast to the upcoming hosts, the Fuggerstädter were unable to confirm their victory over Leverkusen the previous week. Augsburg lost 2-1 at home to FSV Mainz 05, and the Bavarians have yet to get on the right track with new coach Enrico Maaßen. FCA will have to put in a strong performance at TSG in order to take points home from Sinsheim. Whether the visitors will succeed in this, you can read in our Hoffenheim – Augsburg betting tip.
Hoffenheim – Augsburg Info:
– Date & Time: 20.08.2022, 15:30 Uhr
– Venue: PreZero-Arena, Sinsheim
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 4
– TV broadcast: Sky Sport
Hoffenheim Form & Balance Check
The fact that TSG from Hoffenheim started the season with a 1:3 defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach can probably be chalked up to Posch’s yellow card in the 19th minute of the match in hindsight. Hoffenheim still led 1:0 at Borussia, but had to concede three goals at the back due to being shorthanded. The Sinsheim team showed in the following two games that coach Breitenreiter’s team is a very good one and can win games with eleven men on the field. Against Bochum, Hoffenheim deserved to win 3:2, although the Revierclub led 2:0. TSG showed not only playing class, but real comeback qualities. Hoffenheim proved the former again most recently in Leverkusen, where the Werkself were shot down 3-0.
Offensive irons out mistakes
After three matchdays, TSG Hoffenheim have a goal tally of 7:5. With seven goals, Hoffenheim currently share the Bundesliga’s strongest offence with Bremen, second only to FC Bayern. However, it has already become apparent that the offence must deliver, as TSG conceded a total of five goals in the first two games of the season – the most of any team up to 9th place in the table. So far, the offense can still make up for the defensive gaffes.
Hoffenheim facts & analysis
– With 6 points on the 6th place in the table.
– Last won 2 games in a row (3:2 & 3:0).
– Won only one of last 6 home games season-long
Augsburg form & balance check
Where to go with FC Augsburg? Of course, goalkeeper Gikiewicz had an outstanding day in the away win at Leverkusen, but he still didn’t score the two goals for the 2-1 victory. It could have been expected that the team of new coach Enrico Maaßen would manage to build on the performance against Leverkusen at home against Mainz. However, it turned out what many had suspected. The win at the Werkself was ultimately very fortunate and did not promote the development of the team’s own game. Against Mainz, Augsburg fell back into old patterns that led to avoidable goals against. Lee scored in the 92nd minute and the Bavarians lost 1:2.
Looking for excuses
After three games, there is still no sign of any playful development under coach Maaßen. Instead of making an effort to do so, the Augsburg coach complained about the referee after the defeat against Mainz. The 38-year-old spoke of “four situations where we got away badly. That’s the way it is.” There is little that promises improvement in Augsburg football at the moment. However, FCA scored three in their only away game so far at Leverkusen – one of only three away wins in 2022.
Augsburg facts & analysis
– With 3 points on the 10th place in the table.
– 7 goals conceded in 3 games already
– Scored 3 goals in last 2 matches
Predicted line-up – last update on 25 August 2022
Under Andre Breitenreiter, TSG Hoffenheim play a 3-5-2 system with full-backs Angelino and Skov acting as track players. When the ball is lost, Hoffenheim retreats to a 5-3-2 formation with Angelino and Skov moving into defence. The Sinsheim team usually plays its own game via the wings. Against FC Augsburg, Bebou, Hübner, Bicakcic and Pentke (goalkeeper) will continue to be absent due to injury.
FC Augsburg also play a system with high wing-backs. However, the Fuggerstädter are not a team in possession of the ball, which is why FCA is mostly challenged on the defensive. As a result, Augsburg mainly act on the counter-attack. Under coach Maaßen, no progress has been made in the game with the ball so far. In Sinsheim, Strobl, Sarenren Bazee, Dorsch and Oxford will not be available. In addition, it was announced during the week that Uduokhai suffered a syndesmosis tear in the recent Bundesliga match against Mainz. The centre-back will not be able to play for the Fuggerstädter again until 2023 at the earliest.
Hoffenheim – Augsburg direct comparison & statistics
A duel with FC Augsburg was a safe three points for TSG Hoffenheim recently. Although FCA have beaten TSG a whole eleven times in a total of 34 games, Hoffenheim have won four of the last five pairings. In addition, Hoffenheim have already won 17 times over the Fuggerstädter.
– None of the last nine duels ended in a draw.
– TSG lost only one of eleven home games against FCA.
– Hoffenheim won both of their last two home matches against Augsburg 3:1.
– Augsburg won only one Bundesliga match in Sinsheim (13 December 2019, with 4:2).
