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

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Pepi has been on international duty with the USA and started in their midweek 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying win over Honduras in Minnesota. Head coach Markus Weinzierl indicated it would be touch and go whether the 19-year-old attacker would be ready in time to feature for his club this weekend, but the home side could certainly do with their winter signing's help. Augsburg lie third from bottom - having taken three points in their last five games - and lost 5-1 at Bayer Leverkusen in their last match. Florian Niederlechner will step in for Pepi if needed, while full-back Iago could return from injury to bolster the defence. Goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz had been a doubt, but is now expected to be available to face his former club.

Union signed off before the international break in fourth place after two goals from Max Kruse gave them a 2-1 victory at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Talismanic attacker Kruse has since departed for Wolfsburg, but Union moved swiftly to replace him by signing the in-form Sven Michel from Bundesliga 2 side Paderborn. Former Liverpool striker Awoniyi, meanwhile, looks certain to start after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. The Nigerian, who hasa team-leading nine league goals for Union this season, could be joined in the starting XI by Japan international Genki Haraguchi. In-form midfielder Grischa Prömel and full-back Julian Ryerson miss out, however.

Match stats

Pepi has fired off five shots on goal, including three on target, in his three Bundesliga appearances.

Augsburg are five Bundesliga games without a win and rank last in the second half of the season.

The Bavarians have been within the Bundesliga's bottom three over a total of 91 matchdays, though they have never been part of the relegation zone after the final matchday of a season.

Union, on the other hand, are inside the top four at the end of a matchday for the first time in their history.

Only Bayern Munich have fewer than Union's four defeats so far this season.

Christopher Trimmel is set to make his 78th Bundesliga appearance for Union, which would see him level former defender Marvin Friedrich for most top-flight appearances for the club.

Probable line-ups

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

Out: Strobl (knee)

Doubtful: Jensen (knock)

Coach: Markus Weinzierl

Union: Luthe - Baumgartl, Knoche, Heintz - Trimmel (c), Haraguchi, Khedira, Gießelmann - Öztunali - Awoniyi, Michel

Out: Prömel (not included), Ryerson (not included)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Urs Fischer