Match for the 2nd round of the Bundesliga, at WWK Arena, home of Augsburg.
What We Know
- Just 3 draws in 46 clashes between the two. Bayern dominate the all-time record, 35-3-8.
- Their last 6 duels saw Over 2,5 Goals (5 of 6 with Over 3,5) and 5 of 6 saw BTTS.
- Augsburg have a paltry 3-1-9 record vs Bayern at home, having scored in each of the last 5.
Betting tip Augsburg – Bayern Munich
Bayern have started off the season very convincingly, but we will not back them, considering potential squad rotation after their midweek cup game. Augsburg were competing at home vs Bundesliga heavyweights last year, and scoring is not unlikely for them.
- Prediction: BTTS
- Odds: 1.68 (at the time of writing)
Augsburg
Teams can win certain games despite not having the upper hand for most of the time, with fewer chances and less control of the ball. Freiburg's 3-1 win last week was one of those games. Their opponent had control of the ball and more opportunities to score, but Freiburg was much more cynical and clinical.
One goal came after a mix-up, one on the counter, one after a serious defensive error, and all came between 32’ and 45+2’ to give them an insurmountable lead.
Sandro Wagner’s team showed the requisite intensity to compete in this game, though luck was also certainly on their side. Nothing groundbreaking tactically, something even Wagner admitted. The team had a similar defensive playstyle as it had under Wagner’s predecessor, Jens Thorup. Wagner is working to change that and give the team a more offensive style, but that will take time, and he is asking for patience.
Considering the talent disparity between Augsburg and their present opponent, we expect the former to follow a similar approach. It’s what has been working for now, and there is no reason to go away from an approach that has worked against much stronger opponents over the past few years. Left back Giannoulis is questionable, while Freiburg’s best forward and creative engine, Claude-Maurice, is on his way back to full fitness.
Bayern Munich
Bayern’s 6-0 demolition of RB Leipzig featured stretches of really high-quality football. Serge Gnabry was the unlikely protagonist as central attacking midfielder, a worthy comrade of Olise and Luis Diaz. Bayern attackers built connections, controlled the pace, created chances, and finished many of them. To be sure, their opponents were hardly at their best, but Bayern’s intense pressure and energy had a lot to do with that.
Nothing really changes for Kompany’s team despite the win, the performance, and the final score. Everyone knows Bayern’s first 11 are almost too good for the Bundesliga on any one night. The key here is to maintain that level over several months, as the rest of the team’s competitions will further come into play, considering the relative lack of squad depth.
The board is looking to fix that, aiming for at least one more addition before the end of the transfer window. Woltemade is no longer an option, while the team is keeping tabs on Nkounkou and is, in general, on the lookout for someone to bolster their attacking line.
On Wednesday, they faced a weak Wehen Wiesbaden for the DFB Pokal, and that gave us early indications as to just how much of their squad they will be able to rotate this season.
