Augsburg vs. Hertha Berlin: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Augsburg have been on a run of form that Hertha can seemingly only dream of right now. Although Die Fuggerstädter were beaten at Bayern Munich last weekend - only because of a Robert Lewandowski penalty - they have picked up 10 points from the last six games to now put a six-point buffer between themselves and the Old Lady in 17th and Arminia Bielefeld in 16th. Ruben Vargas scored the winner recently against Mainz, while Florian Niederlechner was among the goals in the 3-0 victory over Wolfsburg. He looks certain to start, with American Ricardo Pepi, Andre Hahn, Michael Gregoritsch, Andi Zeqiri and the fit again Alfred Finnbogason all potential partners up top. Left sider Mads Pedersen - a scorer against Bayern in November - is suspended

Teams are often said to be looking over their shoulders, but Hertha are 10 points above bottom side Greuther Fürth. It's an inferior goal difference to the tune of 15 strikes that has the Old Lady in the second automatic relegation spot behind Arminia. VfB Stuttgart are also only a point ahead in guaranteed safety, and they come to the capital next week. That's followed by a trip to Bielefeld. Head coach Felix Magath knows he has a challenge on his hands after last weekend's 4-1 derby defeat at home to Union Berlin. Boateng wasn't involved at all that day, while top scorer Stevan Jovetic is out injured. So too are goalkeepers Alexander Schwolow and Rune Jarstein, meaning Borussia Dortmund-bound Marcel Lotka will continue between the posts.

Match stats

Pepi is still seeking his first Augsburg goal after nine appearances. Four have been starts, while the American has had eight attempts on goal and created five chances for teammates.

Gregoritsch has more goals against Hertha (four) than any other Bundesliga club, including a 97th-minute equaliser in the reverse fixture.

Augsburg have won their last two home games. They last got three victories on the spin at the WWK-Arena in 2019.

Jovetic's six goals and one assist mean he has had a direct hand in almost a quarter of Hertha's goals this season.

The Berliners have a better record against Augsburg (only three losses in 19 games) than against any other current Bundesliga club. They're unbeaten in the last four encounters (W3, D1).

Hertha have managed just two draws across their last nine away games since last winning on the road (2-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt in October under Pal Dardai).

Probable line-ups

Augsburg: Gikiewicz - Gumny, Gouweleeuw (c), Oxford, Iago - Caligiuri, Maier, Dorsch, Vargas - Hahn, Niederlechner

Out: Sarenren Bazee (knee), Strobl (knee), Uduokhai (thigh)

Doubtful: Pedersen (not included), Winther (ill)

Coach: Markus Weinzierl

Hertha: Lotka - Pekarik, Boyata (c), Gechter, Plattenhardt - Stark - Darida, Tousart, Ascacibar, Serdar - Belfodil

Out: Jarstein (knee), Jovetic (muscular), Schwolow (thigh)

Doubtful: Bjorkan (cold)

Coach: Felix Magath

About the clubs FC Augsburg

WWK ARENA

Hertha Berlin

Olympiastadion

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