Augsburg vs. Hertha Berlin: Probable Lineups, Match Stats and LIVE Blog!

What role will Kevin-Prince Boateng play as Hertha Berlin head to Augsburg in a desperate bid to climb out of the relegation zone on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST)?

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Augsburg have enjoyed a form that Hertha can apparently only dream of right now. Although Die Fuggerstadter were beaten at Bayern Munich last weekend – only because of a Robert Lewandowski penalty – they picked up 10 points in the last six games to now put a six-point buffer between them and the Old Lady in 17th and Arminia Bielefeld in 16th. Ruben Vargas scored the winner recently against Mainz, while Florian Niederlechner was among the goals in the 3-0 win over Wolfsburg. It looks certain to start, with American Ricardo Pepi, Andre Hahn, Michael Gregoritsch, Andi Zeqiri and once again Alfred Finnbogason all potential partners in the lead. Left-back Mads Pedersen – goalscorer against Bayern in November – is suspended

It is often said that teams look over their shoulders, but Hertha are 10 points ahead of Greuther Fürth. It is a goal difference of less than 15 strikes that puts the Old Lady in second place in automatic relegation behind Arminia. VfB Stuttgart are also just a point ahead in guaranteed safety and will travel to the capital next week. This is followed by a trip to Bielefeld. Head coach Felix Magath knows he has a challenge ahead after last weekend’s 4-1 derby defeat at home to Union Berlin. Boateng was not involved at all that day, while top scorer Stevan Jovetic is injured. The same goes for goalkeepers Alexander Schwolow and Rune Jarstein, meaning Borussia Dortmund-linked Marcel Lotka will continue between the posts.

Watch: Augsburg snatched a very late draw from Berlin earlier this season

Match statistics

• Pepi is still looking for his first Augsburg goal after nine appearances. Four started, while the American managed eight attempts on goal and created five chances for his teammates.
• Gregoritsch have more goals against Hertha (four) than any other Bundesliga club, including a 97th-minute equalizer in the second leg.
• Augsburg have won their last two home games. They last had three wins on the spin at WWK-Arena in 2019.
• Jovetic’s six goals and one assist mean he has directly participated in almost a quarter of Hertha’s goals this season.
• The Berliners have a better record against Augsburg (only three defeats in 19 games) than against any other current Bundesliga club. They are undefeated in the last four meetings (W3, D1).
• Hertha have drawn just two in their last nine away games since last winning on the road (2-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt in October under Pal Dardai).

The probable compositions

Augsburg: Gikiewicz – Gumny, Gouweleeuw (c), Oxford, Iago – Caligiuri, Maier, Dorsch, Vargas – Hahn, Niederlechner
Outside: Sarenren Bazee (knee), Strobl (knee), Uduokhai (thigh)
Doubtful: Pedersen (not included), Winther (sick)
Coach: Markus Weinzierl

Herta: Lotka – Pekarik, Boyata (c), Gechter, Plattenhardt – Stark – Darida, Tousart, Ascacibar, Serdar – Belfodil
Outside: Jarstein (knee), Jovetic (muscular), Schwolow (thigh)
Doubtful: Bjorkan (cold)
Coach: Felix Magath