Augsburg vs FC Koln prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2023-04-07 13:30.
While their fans might be convincing themselves a seven-point advantage over those in the relegation zone is substantial enough, Augsburg will be acutely aware that if their disappointing form continues they could be in for an uncomfortable close to the Bundesliga season. Enrico Maaßen’s men are currently winless in their last three matches (D2, L1), and the misery of that is compounded by the fact they netted the opener in all those games.
The Fuggerstädter let a 2-0 lead slip to draw 2-2 last time out against Wolfsburg, taking their tally of points dropped after scoring first to 18 this season, a league-high. A return home could provide salvation for Augsburg though, as the WWK Arena faithful have cheered their troops to an unbeaten five-game home run (W4, D1) since returning from the World Cup.
They’ll need to be at full volume to avoid suffering a third consecutive H2H defeat to Cologne, which would see the visitors not only secure a first league-double over Augsburg since 2007/08, but leapfrog their hosts in the table here too. The form of Steffen Baumgart’s men doesn’t inspire much confidence in that happening though, after their 0-0 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach at the weekend stretched their winless run to six-matches (D2, L4), their longest ever stretch without a league victory in Baumgart’s tenure.
The Billy Goats have issues spanning the length of the pitch to worry about, as conceding 13 goals and scoring only once in that six-game calamity suggests. They’ll therefore hit the road looking to buck all trends here, but considering they’ve won just once away from home all league season, their travelling fans will likely be fearing the worst, especially with just six points separating them from the drop ahead of the round.
Players to watch: Augsburg will look to top-scorer Mërgim Berisha to not only fire them to victory, but also get his team off to a strong start considering he’s netted the match opener in six of his last eight goalscoring outings. Meanwhile, Ellyes Skhiri tends to be Cologne’s talisman as the game progresses, with 12 of his last 15 club goals coming after half-time.
Hot stat: The same half-time result has been replicated come full-time in ten of Cologne’s last 12 matches.