Augsburg vs St. Pauli preview: First win a necessity

As Augsburg and newly-promoted St. Pauli prepare to face off at the WWK Arena on Sunday, both sides go into the encounter in search for their first wins of the Bundesliga campaign.

Augsburg

Sunday’s hosts entered the international break after being on the end of a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Heidenheim who find themselves top of the Bundesliga after two matches.

The club finds itself in a similar predicament to this weekend’s opponents, however, die Fuggerstädter have picked up one point more than St. Pauli, with their singular point coming from a 2-2 draw with Werder Bremen on opening day.

Head coach Jess Thorup has named the same back four in both encounters this season, however will likely be considering tweaks after conceding six goals across two matches. It is, however, too early to panic. Sunday’s encounter will provide a great test for the side as they search for their first win of the campaign.

Team News

Robery Gummy remains absent during his recovery from an ACL injury, whilst Reece Oxford is also on the way back after suffering from COVID-19.

St. Pauli

The visitors from Hamburg go into the fixture having lost both of their opening matches after returning to the top flight for the first time since 2011. Back-to-back defeats against Heidenheim and Union Berlin have offered somewhat of a reality check after the euphoria of promotion.

St. Pauli are also yet to find the back of the net in the Bundesliga thus far. 

Whilst it is early days, a win this weekend would be a step in the right direction in regards to building momentum and staking a claim that this side can retain their place amongst Germany’s best.

Team News

Simon Zoller is currently struggling with a muscle injury, whilst Elias Saad was unable to join up with Tunisia for international duty due to ankle ligament damage, Saad could make this weekend’s squad however.

Eric Smith is suffering from adductor struggles, and Connor Metcalfe is a doubt after picking up a muscle injury during the international break with Australia.