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One of the most interesting games of the weekend in Bundesliga will see Augsburg take on Bayer Leverkusen in a clash between two fine teams.
Augsburg has just one point in the last two games and allowed 5 goals combined from Werder Bremen (2-3) and Frankfurt (2-2). The hosts are still 5th in the standings and are having an excellent season, very strong at home as usual (7-1-2), but these defensive problems really need to be sorted out if Augsburg wants to keep challenging for that elusive Top 4 spot.
Leverkusen was involved in one of the best matches of the season last round, a 4-5 last second defeat to Wolfsburg after Bayer initially came back from 0-3 down. It was surely a heartbreaking loss for Leverkusen, but they can take pride and confidence from the way they fought. Still, it was the second loss in a row for Bayer, they have just one win in 4 tries this year and their away record is not impressive – just 4 wins in 10 outings – so this is set to be a very difficult clash for them.
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Team news & lineups:
Augsburg continues to struggle big time with injuries – Moravek, Hong, Molders, Hitz, Matavz, Reinhardt, Verhaegh and Feulner are all unavailable. Leverkusen will not be able to count on Jedvaj, Kruse and Spahic.
Augsburg: Manninger – Janker, Callsen-Bracker, Klavan, Baba – Baier – Bobadilla, Hojbjerg, Altintop, Werner – Ji
Leverkusen: Leno – Donati, Toprak, Papadopoulos, Wendell – Castro, Rolfes – Bellarabi, Brandt, Son – Drmic
This is a huge match in the race for Top 4 and with both teams struggling to gain points lately, it`s obvious that a defeat is not acceptable. Augsburg will be keen to improve defensively and so will be Leverkusen after going down 0-3 to Wolfsburg in the first 45 minutes – so I expect a cautious start from each side, looking to stay tight at the back and proceed with patience on the offensive end. It`s likely that very few risks will be taken in the first part of the game and even if somebody scores, the other team will have what it takes to draw level. I can see this being a close one until the end and it might end with a draw, though both teams have the weapons to snatch a win – especially Leverkusen, considering all those missing players for Augsburg. All in all my tip will be a draw at half time. Prediction: Augsburg – Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 (0-0 half time).
Pick: Half time draw
Odds: 2.30 @ Bet365
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 9.1
Event date: 21 February
