Augsburg have the unenviable task of trying to stop potent duo Reiss Nelson and Joelinton at Hoffenheim's WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CET/2.30pm GMT/10.30am ET).
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Hoffenheim have well and truly found their feet in recent weeks, with Nelson and Joelinton proving a clinical double-act. The pair scored three of Die Kraichgauer's four goals at Bayer Leverkusen last weekend, a result which made it three away wins on the spin for Julian Nagelsmann's ever-improving brood. After a hot-and-cold start to the campaign, last season's third-place finishers are now within touching distance of the top four, although they do have a midweek UEFA Champions League game against Lyon to factor into their preparations. At the time of writing, captain Kevin Vogt, and forwards Andrej Kramaric and Adam Szalai are all doubts.
Augsburg will have surprised some with their start to the season, their run of one defeat in their last six in the league leaving them comfortably in mid-table. A 1-1 draw at home to reigning champions Bayern kicked off their upturn in form and has helped inspire their best-ever start to a Bundesliga campaign. They will have been frustrated by conceding an 88th-minute equaliser to Nuremberg last time out, and coach Manuel Baum will hope for greater composure against a free-scoring TSG. Their own threat will largely centre on Alfred Finnbogason adding to his six league goals, but there are question-marks over the supply line with Michael Gregoritsch a doubt and Andre Hahn set to miss out through injury.
Match stats
Nelson is Hoffenheim's top scorer in the Bundesliga this season, with five goals in six matches.
Joelinton and Adam Szalai each have four Bundesliga goals in 2018/19.
Hoffenheim have scored a combined 11 goals in their past three Bundesliga games, and are the third-highest scorers in the league with 22 goals in 10 matches.
Augsburg have lost just one - a thrilling 4-3 defeat at Borussia Dortmund - of their last seven in all competitions.
Finnbogason’s six goals have come in just six games since the Icelander returned to first-team action following a knee injury.
'Finnbo' is Augsburg’s record Bundesliga goalscorer with 28, four more than Tobias Werner.
Probable line-ups
Hoffenheim: Baumann – Akpoguma, Vogt (c), Bicakcic – Brenet, Nelson, Grillitsch, Demirbay, Schulz – Belfodil, Joelinton
Absentees: Amiri (foot), Hübner (concussion), Rupp (cruciate ligament)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Augsburg: Luthe – Schmid, Gouweleeuw, Hinteregger, Max – Khedira, Baier (c) – Richter, Koo, Caiuby – Finnbogason
Absentees: Giefer (hip), Hahn (knee), Janker (heel), Ji (knee), Moravek (fascia), Schieber (joint mouse)
Coach: Manuel Baum
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