Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Augsburg - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, could move 11 points clear of the relegation zone if they can spring a huge upset.

Match preview

After defeating Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 on Wednesday evening to reach the last eight of the Champions League, Bayern should head into their weekend fixture full of confidence.

Eric Choupo-Moting broke the deadlock moments after the hour mark against his former club, who were surprisingly subdued given that they were already chasing the tie after losing the first leg 1-0 at Parc des Princes, before substitute Serge Gnabry wrapped things up two minutes from time.

Bayern had survived a late scare against Stuttgart last time out in the Bundesliga to move back above Borussia Dortmund on goal difference at the summit, with goals from Matthijs de Ligt and Choupo-Moting enough to hold their opponents off despite Juan Jose Perea pulling one back late on.

With Dortmund not playing until later on Saturday as they face their fiercest rivals Schalke 04 in the Revierderby, Bayern can be assured of at least another week at the top should they beat their fellow Bavarian-based side Augsburg as expected earlier in the afternoon.

However, having already beaten Bayern this season, Augsburg will make the short trip to Munich full of belief that they can return home with all three points to their name once again.

Enrico Maassen's first win at home in charge of the club came against Bayern last September, with Mergim Berisha's second-half strike enough to separate the sides on the day despite a late onslaught from Julian Nagelsmann's side as they unsuccessfully searched for an equaliser.

Moreover, Fuggerstadter secured a crucial victory last time out to move eight points clear of the bottom three, with goals from Dion Drena Beljo and Arne Maier near the beginning of both halves handing their side victory either side of Jens Stage's equaliser in a 2-1 win against Werder Bremen.

One note of caution would be that Augsburg have claimed only one point from their last seven away trips in the league, while they have not won at the Allianz Arena since May 2015, suggesting they have a monumental task in front of them to avoid defeat.

Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:

D

W

W

L

W

W

Bayern Munich form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

W

W

Augsburg Bundesliga form:

L

W

L

W

L

W

Team News

Bayern will remain without Manuel Neuer and Lucas Hernandez with long-term injuries, with neither player likely to be able to play again this season.

However, Nagelsmann appears to have a fully fit squad at his disposal otherwise, meaning he is free to make several changes from the side which comfortably dispatched PSG in midweek. Gnabry and Leroy Sane are likely to be rewarded with starts after making bright cameos against the Parisians.

Joao Cancelo could also come into the side after falling out of favour in recent weeks, but Sadio Mane may be eased into action from the bench after making his comeback from a serious leg injury during the latter stages on Wednesday.

Augsburg, meanwhile, are set to travel without Fredrik Jensen, Felix Uduokhai, Elvis Rexhbecaj, Reece Oxford, Andre Hahn and Tobias Strobl due to injury.

Having claimed a hugely important win last time out, Maassen is unlikely to make any changes to his starting XI, meaning Beljo is set to retain his place in attack after scoring the opener against Werder Bremen.

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:

Sommer; Pavard, Upamecano, De Ligt; Gnabry, Kimmich, Goretzka, Cancelo; Sane, Muller; Choupo-Moting

Augsburg possible starting lineup:

Gikiewicz; Gumny, Gouweleeuw, Veiga, Pedersen; Maier, Engels, Dorsch, Vargas; Demirovic, Beljo

We say: Bayern Munich 3-0 Augsburg

We expect Bayern to cruise to a comfortable victory against one of their local rivals Augsburg, whose away form has been wretched for most of the current campaign.

However, with this being the reigning champions' third match within six days, Nagelsmann may ask his players to take their foot off the gas ahead of travelling to Bayer Leverkusen next weekend.

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