Augsburg vs Liverpool Prediction and Preview – 18/02/16
Europa League preview – Augsburg vs Liverpool prediction.
Markus Weinzierl is waiting on medical clearance for midfielder Jan Moravek who suffered minor concussion in the 3-1 defeat by Bayern on Sunday. Christoph Janker is on standby as Augsburg have concerns in the centre of defence. January signing Jeffrey Gouweleeuw is ineligible having represented AZ Alkmaar in the group stage, Jeong-Ho Hong is doubtful due to thigh strain and Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker is sidelined with a broken leg. Daniel Baier is out with a broken ankle and Markus Feulner could be called in for his first start since December. Dong-Won Ji has been a regular for Augsburg in the Europa League this season but is doubtful as he recovers from knee injury.
Jurgen Klopp knows the Europa League is Liverpool’s most credible route to next season’s Champions League and will be tempted to field a full strength side with a vacant weekend ahead. Daniel Sturridge returned to the starting eleven on Saturday to score the opener in the 6-0 rout of Aston Villa and will be looking to get more valuable playing time. It was a rare opportunity to team up Sturridge with Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino and the trio ran riot at Villa Park. Christian Benteke and Divock Origi will push for starts while defender Jon Flanagan is in line for his first European involvement in over three years.
Possible Line-ups
Augsburg 4-2-3-1 formation: Hitz; Verhaugh, Hong, Klavan, Max; Feulner, Kohr; Esswein, Moravek, Caiuby: Bobadilla
Liverpool 4-3-3 formation: Ward; Flannagan, Toure, Sakho, Moreno; Milner, Henderson, Can; Sturridge, Firmino, Coutinho
Statistics
- Augsburg have won 5 drawn 2 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
- Liverpool have won 3 drawn 4 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Augsburg have scored an average of 1.1 goals and conceded an average of 0.9 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Liverpool have scored an average of 2 goals and conceded an average of 1.4 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Augsburg’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Liverpool’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Weinzierl is struggling to tackle Augsburg’s troubled form. A five-game unbeaten run going into the winter break gave hopes that Augsburg could push on for a top half finish. But, they have failed to win in four attempts since the Bundesliga resumed on 23 January and are one point above the relegation zone after back-to-back defeats against Ingolstadt and Bayern. They qualified by finishing second in Group L with 9 points from 3 wins and 3 defeats.
Liverpool looked back to their best when defeating Aston Villa 6-0 at the weekend to register their first win in five competitive matches. With injury problems gradually easing, Klopp will hope his team can put together the sort of run that saw them go unbeaten for ten games earlier in the season. Liverpool are unbeaten in this season’s Europa League, finishing top of Group B with 10 points.
Liverpool were guilty of stepping back when playing four draws in the group stage but will want to kill off this tie quickly with a busy run of fixtures coming after next weekend’s break from the FA Cup.
Tips
Liverpool to win at 23/20 with William Hill
Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 with Sky Bet
Liverpool to win 2-0 at 10/1 with 888sport
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