Koln hope to end five-match winless run at Augsburg

Two sides with small budgets and passionate fans, the mid-table clash between Augsburg and Koln could send reverberations throughout the Bundesliga relegation battle.

With a win the hosts will move level with their opponents and all but guarantee their top flight status for another season, and Heiko Herrlich, the Augsburg boss, will be eager to do so after a turbulent lockdown period.

Markus Gisdol’s Billy Goats have largely experienced similar to the Bavarian side, conceding 11 goals in four games since the Bundesliga returned. They were dismantled by RB Leipzig at the Rhein-Energie Stadium last time out, with Dani Olmo and Timo Werner amonst the scorers.

Right now, Augsburg’s fate is in their own hands, but defeat on Sunday would raise the stakes significantly ahead of their following game against Mainz 05, who are only three points adrift in 15th spot.

Herrlich will want to see improvements in all areas – witnessing his side score just four goals in five games, three of which came against Schalke.

Team news

Gisdol continues to deal with selection issues through suspension, with Dominick Drexler joining Sebastiaan Bornauw on the sidelines after picking up a fifth yellow card.

Koln also have doubts over key duo Mark Uth and Jhon Cordoba, who have been suffering with muscle and knee injuries respectively.

While Niklas Hauptmann is closing in on a return after groin surgery, he will only be selected on the substitutes’ bench at best.

As for Augsburg, they are able to welcome back Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, who was absent from the last fixture due to a ban. Daniel Baier is expected to be recalled after being rested, but Simon Asta is out for the season after sustaining a serious knee injury.