Prediction: Borussia Dortmund vs Augsburg

Verdict: Borussia Dortmund win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to mark their Bundesliga return with a flurry on Sunday afternoon, Borussia Dortmund will welcome Augsburg to Signal Iduna Park.

Borussia Dortmund

Starting with the hosts, while Borussia Dortmund might have opened the 2022/23 campaign with their sights set on mounting a genuine title charge, the German heavyweights are once again dealing with some glaring inconsistencies. Last seen heading into the World Cup’s winter break with an action-packed 4-2 loss away at Borussia Monchengladbach on November 11th, Edin Terzic’s side will be desperate to lay down a marker here. Opening this weekend’s fixtures sat down in sixth and appearing that they could face an uphill battle in their bid to claim a Champions League spot, BVB should be smelling a chance on Sunday afternoon. Continuing to gain a fearsome reputation for their stellar displays on home soil, it should be highlighted that Dortmund have mustered 13 points from their last five Bundesliga battles at Signal Iduna Park. Likewise, Terzic’s men are unbeaten in rural Germany across all competitions since way back on August 20th.

Team News

Making what was an emotional return after winning his battle with cancer, Sebastian Haller could lead Borussia Dortmund’s attack on Sunday afternoon. The ex-West Ham striker could be joined in attack by 18-year-old starlet Youssoufa Moukoko.

However, Terzic’s side will once again be without the duo of Thomas Meunier and Mateu Morey Bauza here. New arrival Julian Ryerson could make his BVB debut after securing a move from Union Berlin earlier in the week.

Augsburg

As for the visitors, although Augsburg might have eventually cruised their way to Bundesliga safety last season, Enrico Maaßen’s side once again find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap. Last seen heading into the World Cup’s winter break with a toothless 1-0 loss at home against Bochum on November 12th, the Bavaria-based outfit mark their return in the midst of an eight-match domestic winless run across all competitions. With that run stemming all the way back to October 2nd, the one-time Borussia Dortmund coach will know that he faces a tough return to his former employers on Sunday afternoon. Holding just a one-point buffer from slipping into the relegation play-off spot, Augsburg have continued to show some rather glaring defensive issues this season. In fact, since claiming that famous 1-0 victory against Bayern Munich on September 17th, Maaßen’s men have failed to record a single clean sheet.

Team News

Shown a costly booking in Augsburg’s 1-0 loss at home against Bochum prior to the World Cup break, 24-year-old Mergim Berisha will serve a one-match suspension this weekend.

Still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Sunday’s guests have already confirmed that they will be without the trio of Andre Hahn, Tobias Strobl and Iago in rural Germany.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back at the WWK Arena 11 months ago, Sunday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate.
• However, Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in each of their previous six meetings against the relegation scrappers.
• BVB have collected 13 points from their last five Bundesliga appearances at Signal Iduna Park.
• Likewise, Sunday’s hosts have not suffered a single defeat in rural Germany since way back on August 20th.
• Augsburg mark their return from the World Cup break in the midst of an eight-match domestic winless run.

Conclusion

While Borussia Dortmund might have shown some worrying issues prior to the World Cup break, Sunday’s hosts should be looking to lay down a marker here. Handed the chance to skyrocket their way back into the top-four, the German giants will know that they can not afford many more slip-ups. Collecting 13 points from just their last five Bundesliga battles at Signal Iduna Park, Augsburg will know that they face a huge challenge here. Marking their return holding just a one-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, Sunday’s guests are also without a single domestic victory since October 2nd. Two sides battling it out at opposite ends of the Bundesliga table, we’re backing an enjoyable home victory here.

Verdict: Borussia Dortmund win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Unibet