FC Augsburg vs 1899 Hoffenhei

FC Augsburg vs. 1899 Hoffenheim / Bundesliga – If we exclude the big derby that was played on Friday this is the most interesting match of the round, as these teams are direct competitors for places that lead to Europe. Currently are neighbours in the standings, Augsburg is sixth and that position leads into the Europa League, while Hoffenheim is one position below and has one point less. Common for both of them is that they are much more solid when playing at home, while as visitors they have the same of scored and conceded goals. Defeat followed by victory are the results that both teams made in the finish of the first part of the season.  Hoffenheim won their match played at the beginning of the season by 2-0 but have lost the last two away matches against Augsburg. Begins: 01.02.2015 – 17:30 CET

FC Augsburg
Augsburg was very good in the first part of the season i.e. their matches can be divided into two groups; good one to which belong matches mostly played at home and a bad one in which go matches played away. There’s no middle ground, as this team didn’t draw even once in the first part of the season, which is very interesting for the team that is in fact average and was expected to frequently draw. Victories and defeats are almost evenly distributed, with one victory more and one more scored goal. Special story is the home pitch and six victories, with two defeats by Bayern and Borussia Dortmund.

The rest of visitors were defeated pretty easily, including Borussia M’gladbach at the end of the first part of the season. They made a turnover in that match and stayed in competition for European positions, which now wants to solidify. During the break brought they have brought two valuable reinforcements, midfielders Hojbjerg from Bayern, while striker Ji Dong has returned from Dortmund. Philp and de Jong have left the team, although they were not standard first team players so it can be said that are even stronger. They have problem with absences because of various reasons and goalie Hitz, Baba, Hong, Moravek, Matavz and Molders will not play in this match.

Probable lineups FC Augsburg: Manninger – Verhaegh, Callsen-Bracker, Klavan, Feulner – Baier – Esswein, Hojbjerg, Halil Altintop, To. Werner – Bobadilla

1899 Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim was very good too in the first part of the season, especially at the very beginning, when this team was long undefeated. However, before the break they lost five times but the overall impression is good and the seventh place demonstrates it the best, while they have just three points less than the third-placed team. They had concluded the first part of the season with a brilliant away victory over Hertha in Berlin by 5-0, although it was only the second away win, where they were not very successful. They again play efficient matches, although it was not like that at the beginning.

During the winter break stopper Vestergaard left the team and didn’t bring any new reinforcements, which was logical, because they have anyway a pretty good team. Currently are not much weakened, Kim is absent being at the Asian Cup with the national team of South Korea, while defender Sule is injured. Coach Gisdol has doubts about the position of the left back, where two players are possible Salihovic or Toljan, while it is unclear whether Szalai will be in the attack or somewhat faster Schipplock.

Probable lineups 1899 Hoffenheim: Baumann – Beck, Strobl, Bicakvic, Salihoviv (Toljan) – Polanski, Schwegler – Volland, Roberto Firmino, Elyounoussi – Szalai (Schipplock)

FC Augsburg – 1899 Hoffenheim PICK
If we said that both teams are much more successful as hosts then there is no reason to believe that Augsburg is not a slight favourite here. Indeed, they were good at home and will hardly lose now but it is possible that Hoffenheim pulls a draw.

Pick: Asian handicap 0 Augsburg

Stake: 6/10

Odds: 1.78