Will FCA turn the corner against their favourite opponent?
In the last few days, everything at Union Berlin has revolved around the personnel matter of Max Kruse. For reasons that many fans do not understand, the ex-national player signed with his former employer in Wolfsburg and thus turned his back on the Eisern, who are playing for a Champions League ticket, in order to fight for relegation from now on. As Kruse’s replacement, Sven Michel, the top scorer in the second division, was signed on deadline day.
Despite this, it will be interesting to see how the capital club copes with the departure of their offensive difference player. The first real test is already on the agenda on Saturday afternoon, when the Fischer eleven travel south to face in-form FCA. Given the Fuggerstädter’s recent performances, it comes as no surprise that slightly lower odds are being offered on the away win between Augsburg and Union Berlin.
While the Berliners have not lost five Bundesliga matches in a row, coach Weinzierl’s side have now waited five matches for a full sense of achievement in the form of a treble. Perhaps this negative trend can now be stopped against their favourite opponent from Köpenick. Since the beginning of last season, FCA have picked up seven points out of a possible nine from their three encounters with Union.
Augsburg – Statistics & current form
FC Augsburg are the weakest second-round team in the Bundesliga so far. In the three games they have played after the winter break, they have only managed to pick up one measly point. Against Hoffenheim (1:3) and Leverkusen (1:5), there were heavy defeats; only at home against Eintracht Frankfurt did the team of coach Markus Weinzierl struggle to get a point (1:1). At the same time, no other club conceded more goals on match days 18-20 than FCA (nine).
With a total of only 19 points and 16th place in the intermediate standings, the Fuggerstädter are once again in the thick of the relegation battle. However, there is no reason to worry, as Augsburg have already finished in the bottom three in 91 (!) Bundesliga matches. In the final standings, however, never
Augsburg aim for first treble in the new year
Despite this, it is now time to turn the proverbial tables and, above all, end the recent winless streak. For the first time this season, the southern Swabians have gone five consecutive games without a win. Partly responsible for this were the traditionally poor first halves, which have ruined many better results for the Weinzierl eleven. In the separate table of the first 45 minutes, it is not for nothing that Augsburg are at the bottom of the table with the most conceded goals (23).
Because the relegation candidates have now had two weeks to analyse and work on their weaknesses, we assume that a primary endeavour on Saturday lunchtime will be to come through the opening phase unscathed. Nine goals conceded in the first 15 minutes of a match are simply a lot and have thrown various match plans out of kilter prematurely. We therefore think it’s quite exciting to tip between Augsburg and Union Berlin that this time a maximum of one goal will be scored before the end of the first half.
We don’t believe in a home win, especially as the 16th-placed team has only won a third of its home games so far (three out of nine), and only against opponents (Bayern, Gladbach, Stuttgart) who have a high share of possession themselves. The Eisernen will not do the home side this favour at the weekend. At least in terms of personnel, things are looking good. Jensen and Strobl are definitely missing, while record newcomer Pepi is still a question mark due to his late return from the USA. Instead, regular keeper Gikiewicz returns between the posts against his old club.
Predicted line-up of Augsburg:
Gikiewicz – Gumny, Gouweleeuw, Oxford, Uduokhai – Maier, Dorsch – Hahn, Vargas – Gregoritsch, Niederlechner
Last matches played by Augsburg:
Friendlies
01/27 2022 – Augsburg 3 – 3 Jahn Regensburg
1st Bundesliga
01/22 2022 – Bayer Leverkusen 5 – 1 Augsburg
01/16 2022 – Augsburg 1 – 1 Eintracht Frankfurt
01/08 2022 – Hoffenheim 3 – 1 Augsburg
12/18 2021 – Greuther Fürth 0 – 0 Augsburg
Union Berlin – Statistics & current form
It is very remarkable what positive development Union Berlin has taken in recent years. The high flying could reach a new peak in the current season, should the Eisernen actually qualify for the Europa League or the top flight. For the first time ever, the capital club finished a matchday in the top four shortly before the international break.
Luck or coincidence definitely cannot explain the current ranking. Instead, it is an absolutely impressive winning mentality that has eaten into the team from the Köpenick district of Berlin. Only FC Bayern lost fewer Bundesliga games than Union in 2021/22. Seven of the nine victories were secured with exactly one goal difference. Because it is therefore extremely difficult to beat the fourth-placed team, it is advisable to refrain from predicting FCA’s victory on Saturday between Augsburg and Union Berlin.
Awoniyi is expected to fill the Kruse void in the short term
The current top form of the Ironmen, who have gone five consecutive matches without defeat for the first time this season and have even recorded three victories in this period, also speaks in favour of this. Sixth place in the away table also suggests that the Fischer team can be expected to pick up at least one point at the WWK Arena.
Only the personnel situation is still a question mark at the moment. In addition to the aforementioned departure of Max Kruse, the absence of Grischa Prömel, who has been in good form lately, will also have to be compensated. New signing Andras Schäfer is still in rehabilitation training and will therefore not be available, nor will Julian Ryerson. On the other hand, the team hopes for the return of striker Awoniyi, who, after his Africa Cup exit with Nigeria, is now aiming to replace Max Kruse (16 goals) as the club’s Bundesliga record scorer. He is currently three goals short of the sole record.
Predicted Union Berlin line-up:
Luthe – Jaeckel, Knoche, Heintz – Trimmel, R. Khedira, Gießelmann – Öztunali, Haraguchi – Becker, Awoniyi
Last matches played by Union Berlin:
Club friendlies
01/26 2022 – Union Berlin 0 – 0 Widzew Lodz
1st Bundesliga
01/22 2022 – Borussia Mönchengladbach 1 – 2 Union Berlin
DFB Cup
01/19 2022 – Hertha Berlin 2 – 3 Union Berlin
1st Bundesliga
01/15 2022 – Union Berlin 2 – 1 Hoffenheim
01/08 2022 – Bayer Leverkusen 2 – 2 Union Berlin
Augsburg – Union Berlin Direct comparison / H2H-Balance
So far, the clubs have played nine competitive matches. Union Berlin have only had the upper hand once. Augsburg, on the other hand, celebrated three victories, while the majority of all encounters (five) ended in draws. In the Bundesliga, the head-to-head record is two FCA victories, one Union treble and two draws. In the first leg of the current season, no goals were scored at the Alte Försterei. In fact, the 2.5 goal mark has only been surpassed in one of the nine encounters.
Augsburg – Union Berlin Tip
Can Union Berlin defend fourth place? That is one of the most exciting questions of the 21st matchday. After the Eisernen came out of the winter break very well with seven points from three games and have already won against Hoffenheim, Gladbach and in the DFB Pokal against Hertha in 2022, the Fischer eleven now wants to follow up with a win at FCA on Saturday afternoon in the WWK Arena.
The task will not be easy from the capital’s point of view, as the team from Köpenick has celebrated only one win in nine direct encounters with the southern Swabians so far. Fischer’s side have also only managed one point in their last three Bundesliga encounters – a 0-0 draw in the first leg. Consequently, the betting odds on an away treble between Augsburg and Union Berlin are also relatively high.
Because a win for the fourth-placed team in the table is associated with a certain risk for the reasons mentioned above and the still open question of how Union will cope with the departure of Max Kruse, we have decided to place a combined bet.
We believe that the most promising value is hidden between Augsburg and Union Berlin in the forecast on the double chance X2 paired with the Under 1.5 in half-time one. A point would be enough for the visitors. In addition, the assumption that Weinzierl’s team will play a more concentrated first 45 minutes than last time is also taken into account.
