The influence of creative forces Michael Gregoritsch and Thorgan Hazard could hold the key when their respective sides Augsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach meet at the WWK-Arena on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30PM CEST/ 1.30PM GMT/ 9.30AM ET).
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Augsburg's 2-1 triumph away to Fortuna Düsseldorf last weekend was their first ever opening day victory in the Bundesliga and Manuel Baum's charges will be eager to follow it up with another three points at home this weekend. Andre Hahn, Caiuby and Gregoritsch are expected to spearhead the attack for the hosts once more, especially in the ongoing absence of star striker Alfred Finnbogason, who is still struggling with a knee complaint.
Visitors Gladbach likewise boast some fearsome weapons of their own in the final third, with Hazard expected to be joined up top by twinkle-toed Brazilian Raffael and USA international Fabian Johnson, who was on target in the 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen last time out. Captain and fellow attacker Lars Stindl is on the mend but this game still comes too soon for him to feature.
Probable line-ups
Augsburg: Giefer – Schmid, Gouweleeuw, Hinteregger, Max – Khedira, Baier (c) – Richter, Hahn, Caiuby – Gregoritsch
Absentees: Jakob (knee), Jensen (ankle), Schieber (joint), Stafylidis (muscular), Finnbogason (knee)
Coach: Manuel Baum
Gladbach: Sommer (c) – Beyer, Ginter, Jantschke, Wendt – Zakaria – Hazard, Neuhaus, Hofmann, Johnson – Raffael
Absentees: Benes (thigh), Elvedi (appendicitis), Lang (knee), Stindl (ankle), Villalba (muscular)
Coach: Dieter Hecking
Match stats
Hahn left Augsburg for Gladbach in 2014, scoring 14 goals in 68 Bundesliga appearances before moving to Hamburg last summer.
Like Hahn, Martin Hinteregger is another former Gladbach player who was on the scoresheet for Augsburg last weekend. The Austrian defender made 10 appearances for the Foals whilst on loan from Red Bull Salzburg during the second half of 2015/16.
Finnbogason scored the fastest goal in Augsburg’s Bundesliga history in last season’s corresponding fixture - also played on Matchday 2. The Iceland striker netted after just 34 seconds.
Gladbach have not started a season with back-to-back wins since 1995/96.
USA international Johnson took his tally to 18 goals in 185 Bundesliga appearances with his strike against Leverkusen.
Hazard topped the scoring charts for Gladbach last season with 10 goals - two fewer than Augsburg’s 2017/18 leading marksman Michael Gregoritsch.