Preview: Augsburg vs. VfL Bochum - prediction, team news, lineups

Augsburg will go into the match looking to grab their first win in eight matches, whereas Bochum will look for back-to-back wins for the first time since May.

Match preview

Augsburg's draw with Union Berlin in midweek may have seemed like a smash-and-grab to outsiders - their miserable winless run extends back to the start of October, so naturally a match against the high-flying Union ought to have been a procession for Urs Fischer's title challengers.

When Sheraldo Becker took advantage of Rafal Gikiewicz's inexplicable attempt to chase a loose long ball, Bundesliga fans would be forgiven for thinking it would be another one of those days for Augsburg.

Instead, Die Fuggerstadter nabbed a goal back straight away from a set piece thanks to the head of Florian Niederlechner.

They withstood the pressure from Union in the second half, and, through attacking potency of the roaming Niederlechner, Ermedin Demirovic and Mergim Berisha, allowed Augsburg to get a foothold in the match - the equaliser came from the instincts of Niederlechner, who Union struggled to mark all match.

With just four goals this season, Niederlechner's form in front of goal has left a lot to be desired for Augsburg. However, given the 32-year-old German bagged three of those in the last three games, Enrico Maassen will be hopeful he will add an edge to his attack against Bochum.

Augsburg will be up against a Bochum team on a massive high after their 2-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach when, after bagging two goals in the first 12 minutes against Daniel Farke's side, Bochum pushed through to secure their third win of the season.

No Bundesliga fan can miss the fact that Bochum sit 17th in the league, stringing together 10 defeats in their opening 14 fixtures.

Conceding 36 goals in the process, head coach Thomas Letsch has largely failed to stop the rot left by his predecessor Thomas Reis, and Der Blau have been battered and bruised by their competitors as a result.

Yet a different side to Bochum has emerged in recent weeks; coupled with their shock victory against Union last month, Letsch's side may finally be showing signs of properly fighting relegation this season.

They have an opportunity to go to Augsburg this weekend and take advantage of a team littered with errors and equally shy of grabbing three points.

If they can get their towering striker Philipp Hofmann more into play and take advantage of Augsburg's inability to hold possession, there will be a chance that Die Unabsteigbaren can ascend away from home on Saturday.

Unfortunately, Augsburg's attack has undoubtedly been one of their strengths this season, and they will see this fixture as a chance to flex their attacking prowess and put Der Blau to the sword.

Augsburg Bundesliga form:

D

L

D

L

L

D

Augsburg form (all competitions):

L

L

D

L

L

D

VfL Bochum Bundesliga form:

W

L

W

L

L

W

VfL Bochum form (all competitions):

L

W

W

L

L

W

Team News

Augsburg will likely be without their star striker Berisha this weekend - the Fenerbahce loanee came off in the 32nd minute with a hamstring injury, making him unlikely to feature for Maassen's side against Bochum.

After being benched for the midweek clash, Augsburg will likely welcome Carlos Gruezo back into the midfield. The Ecuadorian has been a regular starter for Die Fuggerstadter this season, and he will be fresh for the weekend having not played the last two matches.

Maassen will still be without Andre Hahn (cartilage damage), Niklas Dorsch (metatarsal fracture), and Raphael Framberger (laceration).

Having struggled with knee problems all season, Reece Oxford may make his first start in defence after coming on as a substitute against Union Berlin.

Meanwhile, Bochum's Japanese international Takuma Asano looks set to return to the first-team squad this weekend after participating in training on Thursday. The midfielder has had little time to return to fitness before the World Cup for Japan, having been trying to shrug off a knee problem this season.

Dominique Heintz (back), Erhan Masovic (adductor), Jacek Goralski (muscle), and Paul Grave (shoulder) remain out for Letsch's Der Blau.

Marko Johansson may return to the bench as backup keeper after being out for the last week with a cold.

Augsburg possible starting lineup:

Gikiewicz; Jensen, Oxford, Gouweleeuw, Pedersen; Vargas, Rexhbecaj, Gruezo, Maier, Demirovic; Niederlechner.

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:

Riemann; Gamboa, Lampropoulos, Ordets, Soares; Losilla, Stoeger; Osei-Tutu, Foerster, Antwi-Adjei; Hofmann

We say: Augsburg 3-1 VfL Bochum

Despite their obvious lack of wins this season, Augsburg have shown plenty of attacking potential, and Demirovic, Niederlechner and Vargas will prove a handful for a Bochum team who have been on the end of some horrid results this campaign.

There will likely be a tussle for control in the midfield, with neither team proving particularly adept at keeping the ball.

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