FC Augsburg vs Bayern Munich: Bundesliga Matchday 19 Preview

FC Augsburg

Jess Thorup and FC Augsburg welcome Bayern Munich into the WWK Arena on Saturday as they seek to claim all three points from their Bavarian rivals. Augsburg are coming off two strong results since the winter break. Having come so close to taking a point off league leader Leverkusen two weeks ago, Augsburg clinched tough three points in Monchengladbach that saw them jump their Matchday 18 opponents and into 10th position. They will look to continue their fine form on Sunday.

Finn Dahmen should get the start in goal with a back four in front of him. On the right, Swiss international and Fulham loanee Kevin Mbabu will get the start on the right side. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw will captain the side centrally with Felix Uduokhai starting beside him on the left. At left back, Brazilian Iago should start.

I expect Thorup to deploy a four-man midfield vs Bayern Munich, as that is a similar setup to what he used against Leverkusen. Anchoring the midfield is former Bayern Munich man (and one of my personal favorites) Niklas Dorsch. Finnish national teamer Fredrik Jensen and German Elvis Rexhbecaj should start alongside Dorsch to provide defensive security and play the more box-to-box role. Swiss international Ruben Vargas will lead the midfield with his attacking duties.

Up top, the strike partnership of Ermedin Demirovic and Phillip Tietz will look to give the makeshift Bayern backline issues and test Neuer.

FC Augsburg Predicted Starting XI

Dahmen
Mbabu-Gouweleeuw-Uduokhai-Iago
Jensen-Dorsch-Rexhbecaj
Vargas
Demirovic-Tietz

Score Prediction

FC Augsburg 1-2 Bayern Munich (Harry Kane x2)

As Thomas Tuchel has shown earlier this season, he can find a solution when injuries have ravaged the squad. I do not have much faith in this team at the moment, but I go back to the Stuttgart game. Bayern conceded possession and punished Stuttgart on the break for a 3-0 victory. With the way the attack is lacking and the lack of players in defense, I can see this being a 2-1 in favor of Augsburg, but I'm going to give Tuchel the benefit of the doubt as he knows his seat is getting warm.