Paderborn travel to the WWK Arena to face Augsburg on Wednesday for a hugely important clash at the bottom of the Bundesliga table.
Augsburg currently sit 12th, although they are only six points clear of the bottom three. Meanwhile, Paderborn are rock bottom and nine points from certain safety.
After failing to win any of their five games leading up to the unexpected break in the season, Augsburg have returned with a couple of promising results.
FCA has more free kick goals than any other Bundesliga team thanks to these two ⚽️🚀 pic.twitter.com/tamlpn9kGs— FC Augsburg (@FCA_World) May 25, 2020
FCA has more free kick goals than any other Bundesliga team thanks to these two ⚽️🚀 pic.twitter.com/tamlpn9kGs
Heiko Herrlich’s side were unlucky to concede a late goal in a defeat to Wolfsburg, but they bounced back with a resounding 3-0 win over Schalke in the previous round.
Eduard Lowen put Augsburg ahead early on against Schalke, before second-half strikes from Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee and Sergio Cordova put the icing on the cake.
Augsburg have now scored more goals in 2019/20 than ten of the 18 teams in the Bundesliga. However, their defensive record is among the worst in the division.
Paderborn have kept their dreams of avoiding relegation alive with back-to-back draws since the season resumed.
The bottom club managed to hold Fortuna Dusseldorf to a goalless draw before coming from behind to snatch a point against Hoffenheim last time out.
Following a six-game winless run prior to the campaign being put on hold, Paderborn boss Steffen Baumgart will be pleased with his side’s recent efforts.
The two teams have only faced each other three times in the top flight, with Augsburg claiming a slender 1-0 win in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Overall, Augsburg have definitely enjoyed the rub of the green in this fixture. In their previous eight meetings in all competitions, Paderborn have only managed one win.
Augsburg will be without right-back Simon Asta due to injury on Wednesday, but Herrlich will have a full squad to choose from apart from that.
Paderborn have no fresh injury concerns, so Baumgart could be tempted to stick with the same players who have performed so well in their previous two outings.
Baumgart’s men are fighting for their lives right now, but Augsburg will come into this game full of confidence following a big win over Schalke at the weekend.
Forebet predicts that Augsburg will make it two wins on the bounce by beating Paderborn. Another clean sheet could also be on the cards for the home side.