Bayer Leverkusen vs. Augsburg: Bundesliga Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

On Saturday, Bayer Leverkusen will host Augsburg at BayArena. If Leverkusen loses, they risk losing the Bundesliga title. The champions enter the weekend with 64 points, eight behind league-leaders Bayern Munich with four games left, thanks to last Sunday's 1-1 tie with St. Pauli. Their opponent, Augsburg, is in tenth position with 43 points, and they held Eintracht Frankfurt to a scoreless draw on April 20.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Leverkusen struggled for chances against St. Pauli, managing just two first-half shots and 0.27 xG from open play. Patrik Schick scored their lone goal in a 1-0 win. Xabi Alonso's side has netted just three goals in their last four games and 25 fewer than last season's total of 64.

Despite Bayern's December loss to Mainz, Leverkusen will surrender the title if Bayern wins on Saturday. Recent meetings with Augsburg have been tight, with Leverkusen winning two and losing two of the last four, all by a single goal.

Leverkusen's recent form has been patchy, with three wins in their last seven games and mixed home results at BayArena.

Augsburg's defense impressed against Eintracht Frankfurt, limiting them to just four shots in the first half. The visitors have kept seven clean sheets in their last ten matches and remain unbeaten in five road games, winning three. Under coach Jess Thorup, they've gone four wins and five draws in ten matches.

Bayer Leverkusen x Augsburg Team News

Three defenders will not be available to Leverkusen: Nordi Mukiele, Mario Hermoso, and Jeanuel Belocian. Mukiele is the only one of the three who may return before the season ends.

On Saturday, Alonso may start Piero Hincapie, Edmond Tapsoba, and Jonathan Tah in a back three, as is his usual configuration.

Due to injuries to Martin Terrier and Alejo Sarco, the attacking third's starting lineup will most likely consist of Schick, Florian Wirtz, and Nathan Tella.

With Arne Maier's suspension affecting the visiting midfield, Frank Onyeka and Kristijan Jakic may have a chance to play together this coming weekend.

Due to his ineligibility to face Leverkusen, Thorup may start Samuel Essende in place of Fredrik Jensen and Alexis Claude-Maurice, giving striker Mergim Berisha a last opportunity to play before the season ends.

Due to Noahkai Banks' hip injury, center-backs Christian Matsima, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, and Cedric Zesiger may be called upon to play defense.

Our Predictions

Full-time draw @ 5.00 on Sky247.ng

Given Leverkusen's struggles in the final third, it's hard to see them having much success against Augsburg's tenacious defensive squad. The home team may be lacking confidence and lose more points this weekend since they are aware that Bayern Munich will most likely win the Bundesliga championship.

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