VfB Stuttgart vs. Augsburg: probable teams, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Gikiewicz's opposite number Florian Müller may be seventh in the league for shots saved, but he and Stuttgart are somewhat further down the overall table in 16th. They have just one clean sheet (0-0 at Cologne) and one win on the board, which came in their first game under interim boss Michael Wimmer. He took over the reins from Pellegrino Matarazzo a fortnight ago and beat Bochum 4-1 to finally get things motoring at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. VfB also beat Arminia Bielefeld here 6-0 in the DFB Cup the previous week to reach the last 16, but they were then torn apart by Borussia Dortmund last weekend in a 5-0 thumping. It leaves the Swabians in the bottom three and on just eight points - their joint-second worst start to a Bundesliga season. Josha Vagnoman has started training again but is unlikely to be fit in time, so top scorer Silas should continue out wide on the right. Late-summer arrival Dan-Axel Zagadou has slotted seamlessly into the back three.

Gikiewicz has been key to Augsburg enjoying their best start to a season for five years, including heroics in a famous win over Bayern Munich. However, the Polish goalkeeper has missed the last four competitive fixtures with a dead leg and looks unlikely to be ready for this game either. Tomas Koubek will continue to deputise. Coach Enrico Maaßen said his side were "outstanding" until the red card for Iago last time out against RB Leipzig, subsequently throwing away a 3-0 lead to be left with just a point. Mergim Berisha had a hand in all three goals and has been instrumental to Die Fuggerstädter's form. As too has Ermedin Demirovic, who got his fifth goal of the season last time out. Iago's suspension and other defensive injuries mean Maaßen will need to make changes at the back once again. He'll be hopeful Mads Pedersen is fit enough in time to cover at left-back, otherwise a change of shape will be required for the team beginning the weekend in 12th but only four points off the European places.

Match stats

Silas is Stuttgart's leading scorer with three goals, of which two came in their sole win of the campaign, against Bochum.

Stuttgart have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 27 Bundesliga home games, setting a new unwanted league record. Their last shutout at the Mercedes-Benz Arena was a 1-0 win against Werder Bremen in April 2021.

Interim VfB boss Wimmer was assistant at Augsburg under Martin Schmidt and Manuel Baum in 2018/19.

Berisha has had a direct hand in six goals in as many Bundesliga appearances for Augsburg, including three last time out against Leipzig.

Demirovic has equalled his Bundesliga PB of five goals already this season. He's won all three league encounters against Stuttgart (with Freiburg), scoring once.

Augsburg's three away wins is already as many as they managed in the whole of last season. They've never before won four times on the road in a Bundesliga Hinrunde.

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Probable teams

Stuttgart: Müller - Mavropanos, Anton, Zagadou - Silas, Ahamada, Karazor, Endo (c), Sosa - Tomas, Guirassy

Out: -

Doubtful: Millot (knock), Vagnoman (foot)

Coach: Michael Wimmer

Augsburg: Koubek - Framberger, Bauer, Gouweleeuw (c), Pedersen - Gruezo, Rexhbecaj - Vargas, Niederlechner, Demirovic - Berisha

Out: Dorsch (metatarsal), Gumny (adductor), Hahn (knee), Iago (suspended), Oxford (knee), Sarenren Bazee (cruciate ligament), Strobl (knee), Uduokhai (ankle)

Doubtful: Gikiewicz (thigh)

Coach: Enrico Maaßen

About the clubs FC Augsburg

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VfB Stuttgart

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