Thirteenth-placed Augsburg will host the reigning champions, Leverkusen, at the WWK ARENA this weekend. Augsburg have managed just one victory in their last five league outings, while Leverkusen are riding high with consecutive wins across all competitions.
This sets up a daunting challenge for the hosts, who find themselves a few places away from the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Leverkusen are under pressure, as they aim to close a seven-point gap on Bayern at the top of the table. Who will clinch victory in this encounter? Read on for our detailed match preview and relevant betting tips for this clash.
Augsburg – Bayern Leverkusen Head-to-Head Analysis
| General Details | Augsburg Lineup (Predicted) | Leverkusen Lineup (Predicted) |
|---|---|---|
| Date: 14/12/2024 Time: 18:30 Stadium: WWK Arena Where to watch: StarTimes App | Ivan Labrovic Chrislain Matsima Jeffrey Gouweleeuw Keven Schlotterbeck Mërgim Berisha Frank Onyeka Kristijan Jakic Elvis Rexhbecaj Ellyes Koudossou Alexis Essende Phillip Tietz | Lukas Hradecky Edmond Tapsoba Jonathan Tah Piero Hincapié Arthur Melo Exequiel Palacios Robert Andrich Granit Xhaka Alejandro Grimaldo Nathan Tella Florian Wirtz |
Historic Performances
First and foremost, let’s start with their past few meetings, leading us on to what might be the outcome of the weekend’s result.
Recent Encounters
In their last five meetings, Leverkusen held three victories against Augsburg’s two, with no draws. This highlights decisive results with a slim chance for stalemates. Their latest clash ended 2-1 in Leverkusen’s favor, indicating the visitors hold the edge and could extend their dominance this Saturday.
Key Factors Influencing the Match
Our next sections will put spotlights on the recent forms of both teams and their standout performers in the season so far. These details will assist us to give out suitable predictions for this encounter.
Previous Match
Augsburg, sitting 13th with 16 points in the Bundesliga, faces a critical test against the reigning champion, Bayer Leverkusen. Their inconsistent Bundesliga form of 4 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses reflects a team struggling for stability. A resilient 2-2 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend showed their fighting spirit but underscored their difficulty in closing games.
Jess Thorup’s tactics focus on defensive solidity and quick counter-attacks, showing glimpses of promise. However, Augsburg must find consistency and a strategy to neutralize Leverkusen’s dynamic offense while exploiting defensive gaps.
Leverkusen, currently third with 26 points on the log, has been a standout side this season. With 7 wins, 5 draws, and just 1 defeat, their consistency is notable. Their only league loss this season came against Leipzig four months ago. They recently edged FC St. Pauli 2-1, extending their winning streak to five across all competitions.
Before their trip to Augsburg, they will host Inter in the midweek for their 6th UCL match of the season.
Manager Xabi Alonso’s tactical expertise has transformed Leverkusen, emphasizing a dynamic, possession-based approach. His ability to adapt to opponents has been pivotal to their success, making them a formidable challenge for Augsburg.
Players
Phillip Tietz and Alexis Claude-Maurice have scored four and three Bundesliga goals, respectively, this season. Augsburg will hope their duo of top scorers in the league can deliver against in-form Leverkusen.
Reece Oxford remains unavailable for the host, while Fredrik Jensen and Robert Gummy face late fitness tests for groin injuries.
For Leverkusen, Florian Wirtz has been in sensational form this season. With four league goals and four assists, he has 14 goal contributions across all competitions. Wirtz’s creativity and scoring ability make him a game-changer and could make a difference for the visitor.
Leverkusen’s forward line is plagued by injuries, with Amine Adli, Jonas Hofmann, and Victor Boniface out until 2025. Patrik Schick is also sidelined until late December. Xabi Alonso may deploy winger Nathan Tella alongside Wirtz in attack.
Home Advantage
Augsburg’s home form has been a silver lining this season, with 4 wins, 2 draws, and just 1 defeat at the WWK ARENA. This strong record could be pivotal against a strong Leverkusen side.
Similarly, Leverkusen has excelled away from home, remaining unbeaten with 3 wins and 3 draws. Their impressive away record, combined with a five-match winning streak, suggests they are well-positioned to secure another victory in this encounter.
Betting Tips
After looking at the recent forms of both teams, these are some betting tips for Nigerian Bettors to leverage on the Augsburg vs. Leverkusen match:
Betting Odds
The following presents the latest betting odds, outlining the probability of each team securing a victory, suffering a defeat, or achieving a draw:
Augsburg to Win – 5.25 | Draw – 3.90 | Leverkusen to Win – 1.62
The bookies aren’t convinced Augsburg can pull off a home win. They’re backing Leverkusen as the clear favorites, with a draw seen as unlikely. Leverkusen’s dominance in this fixture and the recent momentum of a five-match winning streak put them in pole position to claim victory this weekend.
Final Thoughts on the Match
Augsburg’s recent improvement and strong home record offer reasons for optimism, but Bayer Leverkusen’s exceptional form and quality firmly establish them as favorites. Leverkusen’s unbeaten away run and superior scoring prowess provide a clear advantage.
However, Augsburg’s resilience and home support could ensure a fiercely contested encounter. A Leverkusen victory, with both teams finding the net, seems the most likely outcome in this competitive Bundesliga clash.
Samuel Okunsolawo is an iGaming expert with over six years of experience in content writing. His passion for simplifying complex concepts makes his articles accessible and useful for beginners and experts alike. With a focus on sports betting trends and reliable betting sites, Samuel’s articles are an excellent resource for those seeking guidance and staying up to date in the world of iGaming.