Bundesliga Clash Preview: Augsburg vs St Pauli

As the Bundesliga season heats up, Augsburg is set to host St Pauli at the WWK Arena this Sunday in what promises to be a crucial encounter for both teams. With both sides struggling to find their footing in the early stages of the 2024-25 season, this match could be pivotal in determining their trajectories moving forward.

Current Standings and Recent Form

Augsburg currently finds itself in 15th place with just one point from their first two matches. Their latest outing ended in a disheartening 4-0 defeat to FC Heidenheim, a match where they dominated possession (64%) but failed to convert their chances, managing only one shot on target out of 15 attempts. This performance highlighted their ongoing struggles in front of goal, as they have averaged the 17th fewest shots on target per match in the league.

In their opening match of the season, Augsburg played to a 2-2 draw against Werder Bremen, showcasing some attacking potential but ultimately failing to secure a win. Manager Jess Thorup, in his first season at the helm, will be keen to address these issues, especially given that his side has not won in their last seven Bundesliga matches, suffering six losses and a draw during this stretch.

On the other hand, St Pauli is languishing at the bottom of the table in 18th place, having lost both of their opening fixtures without scoring a goal. Their most recent defeat came against Union Berlin, where they again struggled to create meaningful chances, managing only one shot on target despite holding 60% possession. St Pauli’s promotion from the 2. Bundesliga last season has not translated into success in the top flight, and they will be desperate to turn their fortunes around.

Tactical Analysis

Augsburg’s tactical setup under Thorup has been characterized by a focus on possession, but their inability to convert that possession into goals has been a significant concern. The team has struggled to create high-quality chances, as evidenced by their low expected goals (xG) tally. Thorup will need to find a way to instill confidence in his players and encourage more aggressive attacking play.

St Pauli, managed by Alexander Blessin, has also faced challenges in adapting to the Bundesliga’s demands. Despite winning the 2. Bundesliga last season, their defensive frailties have been exposed in the top flight. Blessin’s side will need to tighten up defensively while also finding a way to capitalize on their possession. The visitors have a mixed record on the road, with five wins and five losses in their last ten competitive away matches, which adds an element of unpredictability to their performance.

Team News

Augsburg will be without key defender Robert Gumny, who is sidelined until December due to a knee injury. Additionally, Reece Oxford is unavailable due to illness, and goalkeeper Finn Dahmen is also out, leaving Nediljko Labrovic likely to start in goal. The defensive line will be crucial for Augsburg, with Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Keven Schlotterbeck expected to anchor the back.

St Pauli’s injury woes are similarly concerning, with goalkeepers Soren Ahlers and Sascha Burchert both set to miss out, along with forward Simon Zoller. Connor Metcalfe and Eric Smith are also unavailable, while Andreas Albers is a doubt due to illness. The visitors will need to rely on their remaining squad depth to put forth a competitive performance.

Possible Lineups

Augsburg:

• Labrovic; Wolf, Gouweleeuw, Schlotterbeck, Giannoulis; Rexhbecaj, Jakic, Maier; Vargas; Essende, Tietz

St Pauli:

• Vasilj; Wahl, Nemeth, Mets; Saliakas, Wagner, Irvine, Boukhalfa, Treu; Eggestein, Guilavogui

Prediction

Given the current form of both teams, a draw seems to be the most likely outcome. Although Augsburg will be considered the favorites due to their home advantage, their recent struggles and St Pauli’s desperate need for points could lead to a tightly contested match.

Final Prediction: Augsburg 1-1 St Pauli

Both teams may find it challenging to create clear-cut chances, and a stalemate could be on the cards as they look to build some momentum in the league.

For more insights and data analysis on this match, you can visit Sports Mole.