The WWK Arena plays host to two sides with vastly different ambitions on Saturday afternoon, as Augsburg look to steady their Bundesliga campaign against a title-chasing RB Leipzig. While the hosts hover near the bottom of the table, the visitors are determined to keep pace with runaway leaders Bayern Munich.
Augsburg enter the fixture in need of momentum, sitting 13th in the Bundesliga with just seven points from their opening seven games. The 1-1 draw against newly promoted FC Koln last weekend extended their inconsistent run, with only one win in their last six league matches (D1 L4). New boss Sandro Wagner, appointed in May, is under growing pressure as his side continue to concede cheaply and struggle for creativity in the final third.
Defensive frailties have been Augsburg’s undoing, their 14 goals conceded rank among the worst in the league, and the side have kept just one clean sheet all season. The WWK Arena has hardly been a fortress either; a 3-1 win over Wolfsburg earlier this month ended a seven-match winless home streak stretching back to last season.
Leipzig, meanwhile, are in red-hot form and cannot afford to drop points if they are to remain in the title race. Ole Werner’s men sit second with 16 points, five behind perfect leaders Bayern Munich, who have won all 12 of their fixtures this season. The visitors come into this clash off the back of a 2–1 win over Hamburg, extending their unbeaten run to six matches (W5 D1).
Their record against Augsburg provides plenty of encouragement: Leipzig are unbeaten in 17 consecutive meetings across all competitions, winning ten and drawing seven. They have also scored at least three goals in five of their last seven encounters with the Fuggerstadter, including a dominant 4-0 win in their last meeting in September 2024.
Leipzig’s away form has been solid too, winning three of their four away matches this campaign since losing to Bayern Munich on the opening day. With a potent attack and disciplined structure, Werner’s side will look to make another statement of intent as they chase the league’s top spot.
For Augsburg, this fixture represents a major test of character. For Leipzig, it’s another opportunity to show why they belong in the title conversation. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Augsburg approach this clash with a largely fit squad, but there are still a few lingering concerns. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw remains a doubt after sustaining a knee injury back in September. While he has returned to light training, the coaching staff are expected to take a cautious approach to avoid aggravating the problem. Other than that, Sandro Wagner has no fresh injury or suspension worries, giving him a relatively stable squad to select from.
If Gouweleeuw is not risked, Augsburg could retain their 3-4-2-1 setup, which has provided added defensive cover in recent weeks. Finn Dahmen is expected to start in goal, protected by a back three consisting of Kristijan Jakic, Chrislain Matsima, and Noahkai Banks, who will be tasked with maintaining compactness and organisation against Leipzig’s dynamic front line.
In midfield, Robin Fellhauer and Han-Noah Massengo are likely to anchor the center of the park, providing a mix of energy and ball recovery. Out wide, Anton Kade and Dimitris Giannoulis will operate as wing-backs, offering width in transition and support for the attacking phase.
The attacking midfield roles should fall to Fabian Rieder and Alexis Claude-Maurice, both of whom will look to link up play between midfield and attack while exploiting any gaps in Leipzig’s structure. Leading the line, Mert Komur is expected to spearhead the attack, relying on his physicality and movement to disrupt Leipzig’s defensive rhythm and capitalise on counter-attacking opportunities.
This balanced 3-4-2-1 shape allows Augsburg to defend in numbers while remaining capable of launching quick transitions, something they will need to execute flawlessly to stand a chance against a high-pressing Leipzig side.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Dahmen; Jakic, Matsima, Banks; Kade, Fellhauer, Massengo, Giannoulis; Rieder, Claude-Maurice; Komur
Leipzig travel to Augsburg with only a couple of minor injury concerns, as Kosta Nedeljkovic and Benjamin Henrichs remain sidelined due to respective muscle and ankle problems. Their absence will once again force Ole Werner to adjust his options at full-back, though the squad’s depth means Leipzig should still field a strong defensive unit.
No players are suspended for this encounter, giving Werner the freedom to rotate selectively following a demanding stretch of fixtures. With Nedeljkovic and Henrichs unavailable, Leipzig are expected to maintain their familiar 4-3-3 formation, which allows them to dominate possession while maintaining width in attack.
Peter Gulácsi will continue as the first-choice goalkeeper, marshalling a backline comprised of Ridle Baku at right-back and David Raum on the left. The experienced duo Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba will form the central defensive partnership, combining aerial strength with composure in distribution.
Sitting just ahead of the back four, Nicolas Seiwald will occupy the holding midfield role, acting as the key link between defence and attack while disrupting Augsburg’s counterattacking attempts. He is likely to be flanked by the industrious Christoph Baumgartner and the young but highly composed Assan Ouedraogo, both of whom will contribute to Leipzig’s high-tempo pressing and forward transitions.
In the attacking third, Leipzig’s front three is expected to feature Johan Bakayoko on the right wing, Antonio Nusa on the left, and Romulo as the central striker. Bakayoko’s pace and directness will stretch Augsburg’s backline, while Nusa’s flair and creativity on the opposite flank provide balance. Romulo’s movement between the lines and finishing instinct will be crucial as Leipzig aim to break down a compact Augsburg defence.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Ouedraogo, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Bakayoko, Romulo, Nusa
RB Leipzig are unbeaten in their last 17 meetings with FC Augsburg across all competitions, winning ten and drawing seven since their first Bundesliga encounter in 2017. Augsburg have not defeated Leipzig in over seven years.
The visitors have scored at least three goals in five of their last seven clashes against Augsburg. Across those seven games, Leipzig have found the net 20 times, while conceding just five.
Augsburg have conceded 14 goals in seven Bundesliga matches this season, the fourth-worst defensive record in the division. They have also managed only one clean sheet during that period.
Since their opening-day loss to Bayern Munich, Leipzig have won three of their last four away games, keeping two clean sheets and scoring an average of 2.25 goals per game on the road.
RB Leipzig have created over double Augsburg’s expected goals tally this season and have also registered 10 different goalscorers, compared to just four for Augsburg.
All eyes will be on Antonio Nusa, the Norwegian winger whose explosive performances have quickly made him one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. Blessed with blistering pace, close control, and the confidence to take on defenders one-on-one, Nusa has been a constant outlet down the left flank, giving Leipzig a dynamic edge in transition.
Since joining from Club Brugge, Nusa has adapted seamlessly to the Bundesliga’s intensity. His ability to cut inside onto his stronger right foot and unleash curling shots has already caused problems for opposition full-backs. In Leipzig’s system under Ole Werner, Nusa’s tactical versatility allows him to interchange positions with Johan Bakayoko and drift into central areas, creating overloads that stretch defensive lines.
What makes Nusa particularly dangerous is his composure in the final third, whether it’s picking the right pass to set up a teammate or timing his runs into the box. Against an Augsburg side that has struggled to deal with pacey wingers this season, Nusa’s combination of creativity and acceleration could prove decisive.
If RB Leipzig are to continue their strong start and close the gap on Bayern Munich, Antonio Nusa’s direct play and flair will likely play a pivotal role in breaking down a deep-lying Augsburg defence.
RB Leipzig enter this clash as overwhelming favourites, boasting superior form, squad depth, and tactical balance compared to an Augsburg side still searching for consistency. Ole Werner’s men have been relentless in attack and compact in defence, while Augsburg’s tendency to concede early and struggle against quick transitions could be their undoing once again.
The hosts will likely look to stay compact and hit on the counter through Robin Fellhauer and Han-Noah Massengo, but Leipzig’s pressing intensity and fluid front three, led by Antonio Nusa and Johan Bakayoko, should give them full control of the game. Expect Leipzig to dominate possession, create multiple chances, and maintain their unbeaten run against Augsburg.
