Bayer Leverkusen vs Augsburg Predictions, Betting Tips, & Match Preview

Bayer Leverkusen come into this match in danger of losing three of their four opening Bundesliga matches for only the second time in the club’s history – the only other time being in the 1982/83 season. Leverkusen’s 2-1 defeat on the road to the in-form Eintracht Frankfurt was their second away loss of the current campaign – Roger Schmidt’s side are unbeaten at home in all competitions so far – leaving last year’s 3rd place finishers with a modest three points after the opening three fixtures. Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez scored his first of the season last time out, bringing Leverkusen level after falling behind to Eintracht Frankfurt, but was unable to bring them level again from the penalty spot in the dying minutes. Finnish super-sub Joel Pohjanpalo, who is the joint-second top scorer in the Bundesliga with four goals, all of which he has scored off the bench, didn’t feature last time out. He faces stiff competition for a starting position moving forwards with Kevin Volland back in contention after his short injury spell.

After four successful seasons under coach Makus Weinzierl, Augsburg turned a new page this summer with new coach Dirk Schuster arriving from Darmstadt 98 to replace the Schalke 04-bound tactician. Under Weinzierl’s leadership Augsburg succeeded in establishing themselves as a top flight side and were even able to participate in a memorable maiden UEFA Europa League campaign last season. Coach Schuster’s next step will no doubt be to try and establish Augsburg as top-ten material after their 12th placed finish last season, a task that looks to be easier said than done after their first three fixtures. Augsburg’s only points of the season have come from a 2-1 win away to Werder Bremen last weekend, losing 2-0 at home to Wolfsburg in their opening match and 3-1 at home to Mainz last weekend. Icelandic striker Alfred Finnbogason, who scored seven goals in fourteen appearances for Augsburg last season, is yet to register a competitive goal since his loan move was made permanent.

While the visitors are in decent away form, winning three and drawing one of their last four on the road, we feel the hosts will turn around their “poor” form here. Bayer Leverkusen are in really decent form at home, winning six and drawing two of their last eight competitive matches at home, and the bookies’ favourites here, priced at 1/2 by bet365. Even though Augsburg have never beaten Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, we feel there is better value to be had elsewhere. Given current form and recent meetings, we expect there to be plenty of goals in this match. Over 2.5 goals were scored in eight of Leverkusen’s last nine matches and in three of Augsburg’s last five. Also, both teams have scored in all but one of Leverkusen’s last seven home matches and in nine of the twelve (75%) meetings between the two teams here. If ever there were a game set up for a high scoring outcome, it should be this one.

As such, over 2.5 goals and both teams to score at 6/5 and Bayer Leverkusen to win 3-1 are our choice bets for this match.