Freiburg are aiming to put German Cup disappointment behind them on opening day against Augsburg. Die Breisgau-Brasilianer lost the German Cup final to RB Leipzig last season and now go into this campaign aiming for another top-six Bundesliga finish.
Augsburg have been tipped by bookies to battle relegation and potentially go down to the second division.
Endlich geht's wieder los: die #Bundesliga kehrt zurück! 😍 Habt ihr Bock?#Footballasitsmeanttobe #bundesligaisback pic.twitter.com/HefQb7o35N— SC Freiburg (@scfreiburg) August 2, 2022
Endlich geht's wieder los: die #Bundesliga kehrt zurück! 😍 Habt ihr Bock?#Footballasitsmeanttobe #bundesligaisback pic.twitter.com/HefQb7o35N
Die Fuggerstädter finished the 2021-22 season in 14th place. Just five points ultimately separated Augsburg from the relegation playoff place.
Freiburg have a brilliant head-to-head record against Augsburg in all competitions. Die Breisgau-Brasilianer have a record of 3W-3D-0L against Augsburg across the last six games.
Last season, Die Breisgau-Brasilianer did the double over Augsburg posting a 3-0 home win and a 2-1 win away.
The last two games between these sides finished with over 2.5 goals. Meanwhile, four of the last six matches finished with both teams scoring goals.
Freiburg signed Matthias Gunter from Borussia Monchengladbach in the offseason. He has been joined by Ritsu Doan from PSV Eindhoven. Midfielder Michael Gregoritsch came from Augsburg and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh arrived from St. Pauli.
Coach Christian Streich will be without Nico Schlotterbeck, who joined Borussia Dortmund for €20 million in the offseason. Even with Schlotterbeck leaving, Freiburg have a retained a strong squad to fight for a top-six place.
Augsburg hired ex-Borussia Dortmund II coach Enrico Maaßen in the offseason. He takes charge of Augsburg with the aim of avoiding a relegation fight.
Die Fuggerstädter have signed four players in the transfer market. Former Freiburg player Ermedin Demirović arrived on a free transfer. Elvis Rexhbecaj joined from Wolfsburg, while Max Bauer signed from Greuther Fuerth. Arne Maier signed from Hertha Berlin for €5m.
Maaßen could be without a number of players for matchday No. 1 due to injuries. Reece Oxford is lacking fitness, Niklas Dorsch is ruled out with a broken ankle, Lasse Gunther has a hip injury and could miss the game, and Dikeni Salifou is nursing a groin strain.
Augsburg’s Ruben Vargas has a tendon injury and is a doubt to make the squad. Defender Tobias Strobl is also a doubt due to an ACL injury.
Streich will be without Lukas Kubler following a hip injury. Forward Lucas Holer has a broken ankle and will miss games until November.
Freiburg have an excellent record versus Ausburg. Last season, Die Breisgau-Brasilianer posted back-to-back wins with over 2.5 goals. Freiburg should claim an opening day 2-1 home win.