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

Although yet to find the net in seven Bundesliga appearances to date, Pepi finally got to taste victory with Augsburg on Sunday as they comprehensively beat Wolfsburg 3-0 at home. The USA international started and played 89 minutes as Die Fuggerstädter moved up to 14th in the table and three points clear of the relegation and play-off spots. Victory in this game in hand will even take them above Wolfsburg into 13th. Coach Markus Weinzierl may see no need to deviate from a winning formula, with Pepi starting alongside goalscorer Florian Niederlechner. Full-back Iago and converted winger Mads Pedersen also got on the scoresheet and look set to continue down the left after both earning places in the Fantasy Team of the Week. Andre Hahn offers a further alternative up front, while Ruben Vargas could also return after missing the weekend with illness. Reece Oxford will continue alongside captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw in central defence in the extended absence of Felix Uduokhai.

After earning his first senior cap for Germany over the international break, Stach will be hopeful of joining Pepi and many other Bundesliga players at this winter's FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The holding midfielder had the most touches (90), won the most challenges (15) and completed the most passes (50) for Mainz as they came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw away at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday. Jae-Sung Lee came off the bench to provide the assist for Karim Onisiwo and will be hopeful of earning a starting place in this rearranged game. The point leaves Bo Svensson's side in 10th place - nine points better off than Augsburg - and a rare away win will see them up to seventh with only six matchdays to play. Germany U21 captain Jonathan Burkardt is also expected to come back into the side after Marcus Ingvartsen was given the nod to start at the weekend.

Match stats

Pepi has had 135 touches and eight shots, including five on target, in 355 minutes of Bundesliga football.

Hahn has scored more goals (five) against Mainz than any team he's faced, and has had a direct hand in Augsburg's last four strikes against the 05ers (three goals, one assist).

Augsburg have scored at least once in their previous 10 meetings with Mainz, winning the last four home ties. Five straight home wins against a Bundesliga club would be a first for the Bavarian outfit

Burkardt scored his first of two Bundesliga braces in the reverse fixture, but the Germany U21 captain has just two goals in his last 13 club appearances.

Robin Zentner has kept a joint-league-high nine clean sheets in 2021/22, albeit only one on the road, where's he's conceded 23 goals compared to eight at home.

Indeed, Mainz have taken just two points from their last eight away matches in the Bundesliga - their longest winless run under Svensson.

Probable line-ups

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

Out: Gregoritsch (not included), Sarenren Bazee (knee), Strobl (knee), Uduokhai (thigh)

Doubtful: Vargas (ill)

Coach: Markus Weinzierl

Mainz: Zentner - Bell, Hack, Niakhate (c) - Widmer, Kohr, Stach, Martin - Lee - Onisiwo, Burkardt

Out: Burgzorg (heart), St. Juste (shoulder)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Bo Svensson

About the clubs FC Augsburg

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1. FSV Mainz 05

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