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Bayern Munich host FC Augsburg in midweek Bundesliga clash

By Kiran Thakare

07 April 2018, Germany, Augsburg, Soccer: Bundesliga, FC Augsburg vs FC Bayern Munich, in the WWK Arena. Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben (L) and Augsburg's Martin Hinteregger vying for the ball. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to the German Football League's (DFL) accreditation regulations, publication and redistribution online and in online media is limited during the match to fifteen images per match (Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images)
07 April 2018, Germany, Augsburg, Soccer: Bundesliga, FC Augsburg vs FC Bayern Munich, in the WWK Arena. Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben (L) and Augsburg's Martin Hinteregger vying for the ball. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to the German Football League's (DFL) accreditation regulations, publication and redistribution online and in online media is limited during the match to fifteen images per match (Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
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Bayern Munich will host FC Augsburg tomorrow in their second of three Bundesliga matches taking place in the span of eight days.

The games are coming thick and fast for Bayern Munich, as Augsburg visit the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. Niko Kovac’s men will be targeting their third competitive win in the space of seven days and hope to remain unbeaten for the season when they host their fellow Bavarian side.

Bayern Munich sit at the top of the Bundesliga table, having won all four of their games this campaign. The Bavarians’ latest victory came on Saturday, when they clinched a convincing 2-0 victory over FC Schalke. Kovac will become first Bayern manager to win his first ten competitive games if his team can win their next three games.

Augsburg has suffered a slump in their recent games after a promising start to the new season. The visitors have suffered two consecutive Bundesliga defeats — to Werder Bremen and Mainz. A positive result against Bayern can be a massive confident booster for this deflated Augsburg side.

Team News

Bayern Munich will have the same group of players available for this game that featured against Schalke on Saturday. Jerome Boateng suffered a minor knock in training, but the German defender will be fit for tomorrow’s match. Niko Kovac also confirmed that Manuel Neuer is now completely fine, having fully recovered from last year’s injury.

The Croatian manager expects Rafinha to return after the next international break. The Brazilian suffered a serious injury against Bayer Leverkusen on matchday.. Kingsley Coman and Corentin Tolisso remain the only long term absentees for Bayern Munich.

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Predicted XI

Niko Kovac is set to make some changes in the starting XI for this game, as he wants to give gametime to all his players. Manuel Neuer has been in fine form for Bayern Munich this season and the big German will surely keep his place against Augsburg. Niklas Sule and Mats Hummels will form the center-back partnership on Tuesday. Kovac is set to stick with a four-man defense, so there will be no rest for David Alaba and Joshua Kimmich.

Javi Martinez was replaced by Thiago Alcantara as the holding midfielder against Schalke, so Martinez will be the favorite to play this role on Tuesday. Renato Sanches is also in line to make his second start of the season after an impressive performance against Benfica last Wednesday. Leon Goretzka will slot in the attacking midfield position to complete this three man midfield.

Kovac confirmed in his pre-game press conference that Sandro Wagner will get plenty of opportunities in the upcoming games. The German striker is likely to lead the line for Bayern against Augsburg. Serge Gnabry will occupy the left flank while Arjen Robben will be deployed on the right side of the attack.

"NeuerKimmich – Sule – Hummels – AlabaMartinez – SanchesRobben – Goretzka – GnabryWagner"

Opposition Focus

Augsburg are struggling in the Bundesliga and will be hoping their visit to the Allianz Arena can mark a change in fortunes. They’ll be under much pressure from the start, though, as Bayern will dominate possession and create plenty of chances. Micheal Gregoritsch scored 13 goals in the Bundesliga last season for Augsburg. The Austrian has endured a quiet start to this season but remains the most dangerous attacking player for Augsburg.

Philipp Max enjoyed an impressive Bundesliga campaign last season as well, when he was involved in 13 goals and assists. Max has already scored one goal this season, and the left-back will be a key threat for Augsburg on Tuesday. Apart from these two players, Andre Hahn and Marco Richter are a few more names that can cause problems for Bayern.

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Prediction

Bayern Munich 3-0 Augsburg

FC Augsburg have made an average start to the season and it will take a mighty effort from the visitors to get a positive result against this in-form Bayern Munich team.