PREVIEW: Augsburg Hosts Stuttgart in Bundesliga Clash

STUTTGART, Germany (Interstat) — Two sides heading in opposite directions meet Sunday when Augsburg hosts Stuttgart in a Bundesliga match at WWK Arena.

Stuttgart (10-6-8) arrives with momentum from a signature victory, having defeated title-contender RB Leipzig 1-0 on March 15. That result stands in stark contrast to their most recent outing, a 4-2 defeat to Mainz 05 II on Saturday. Despite that setback, Stuttgart has won three of its last five Bundesliga matches.

Augsburg (7-5-12) is mired in a severe slump. The Fuggerstädter are winless in their last five matches across all competitions, including a 3-0 loss to Nordlingen on Saturday and a 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on March 14. They have been shut out in four of those five games.

Recent history favors the visitors. Stuttgart has won the last two head-to-head meetings, including a 1-0 victory in Augsburg on Feb. 1. The previous encounter last November was a 3-2 win for Stuttgart at home.

Statistical models project a continuation of that trend. Interstat’s game simulator predicts a 2-1 victory for Stuttgart, while its ELO rating system gives Stuttgart a narrow 50.9% probability of winning.

The match is critical for both clubs’ mid-table aspirations. Stuttgart can solidify its position in the top half of the table with a win, while Augsburg desperately seeks points to distance itself from the relegation conversation.

Stuttgart’s attack, which scored four goals against Wolfsburg on March 1, will test an Augsburg defense that has conceded 10 goals in its last five matches. Augsburg’s hopes likely rest on rediscovering its scoring touch, last seen in a 2-0 win over 1. FC Koln on Feb. 27.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. local time (1430 GMT) on Sunday, March 22.

UP NEXT

Stuttgart: Hosts Borussia Dortmund on April 4. Augsburg: Visits Hamburger SV II on April 4.