Borussia Dortmund vs. FC Augsburg preview: A clash of sides building momentum

Here’s our preview for the meeting of Dortmund and Augsburg on Matchday 26 of the Bundesliga – with form, team news and predicted lineups included.

Borussia Dortmund:

With Matchday 26 of the Bundesliga rolling into picture, Borussia Dortmund welcome FC Augsburg to the Westfalenstadion this Saturday – with both sides picking up three wins in their last five, it really is a clash of form.

Now that their European involvement has concluded for the season, Dortmund’s aim is undoubtedly maintaining their healthy league placement. Last weekend’s 2-1 win over 1.FC Köln helped them bounce back to winning ways. 

Maximilian Beier was perhaps the pick of the performers in Niko Kovač’s side. His goal and assist proved crucial to the outcome. Even if BVB wobbled against 10-men at times, the RhineEnergie Stadion has been a tricky venue for most. 

Barring last season’s blip defeat at home to the Bavarian side, BVB have enjoyed six wins from seven on home soil against Augsburg. It goes without saying that the hosts will be eyeing up another three points this weekend too.

Team news:

By and large, Kovač has a full squad to pick from barring Fillipo Mane (muscle strain), Emre Can (ACL tear), while Ramy Bensebaini is suspended with his fifth yellow card. Carney Chukwuemeka is also a fitness doubt. 

As a result, Kobel ought to play behind Süle, Anton and Schlotterbeck. Ryerson, Sabitzer, Nmecha and Svensson will likely form a quartet in midfield behind an attacking trio of Beier, Brandt and striker Guirassy.

Predicted lineup: Kobel – Süle, Anton, Schlotterbeck – Ryerson, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson – Beier, Brandt – Guirassy

FC Augsburg:

As for FC Augsburg, 2026 has proven fruitful for a side that were once in turmoil under ex-coach Sandro Wagner. Since mid-January they have picked up an impressive five wins, two draws and two losses thus far. 

With five of those victories coming in the last seven outings, Manuel Baum has really gotten a turn out of the side. None more so than Alexis Claude-Maurice, providing 4 goals and 4 assists in his last eight appearances.

Although last Saturday’s trip to Leipzig ended in a 2-1 defeat, Augsburg led for 35 minutes before Diomande equalized and a late Arthur Chavez own-goal left them empty handed. A gallant effort from the Fuggerstädters no less.

Now, the Bavarian club face a daunting task of travelling to the Westphalian giants. With just two wins away to Dortmund since they first gained promotion, drawing on last year’s 1-0 success in front of the Yellow Wall will act as motivation.

Team news:

Augsburg’s injury list is on the shorter side too with only Jeffrey Gouweleeuw (ligament) and Chrislain Matsima (tendon tear) the duo of absentees. Yannik Keitel is a doubt to feature with persistent knee problems.

Therefore, Dahmen will tend to the goal with Banks, Schlotterbeck and Zesiger in defence. Fellhauer and Giannoulis are expected to play wide of Massengo and Jakic. In attack, Rieder and Claude-Maurice may support Ribeiro. 

Predicted lineup: Dahmen – Banks, Schlotterbeck, Zesiger – Fellhauer, Massengo, Jakic, Giannoulis – Rieder, Claude-Maurice – Ribeiro