AUGSBURG will be hoping new boss Markus Weinzierf can get off to a flier against Stuttgart and halt a slide that has left them worrying about relegation from the Bundesliga.
Heiko Herrlich was binned as boss after a 3-2 defeat by Cologne last time out in a match where our man Tolu's tip of both teams to score came up.
That was Augsburg's fourth game in a row without a win and it has left them just four points ahead of Cologne who occupy the relegation play-off spot in Germany's top tier.
But new gaffer Weinzierf might be more worried about second-bottom Herth Berlin, who trail them by six points but have two games in hand.
With just three games left to play, a victory in this match would probably be enough to keep Augsburg up and they can take heart from the fact Stuttgart are also in poor form.
Pellegrino Matarazzo's men have lost five of their last six games to drop out of contention for a European slot and have little to play for as they sit in mid-table.
Stuttgart have impressed after winning promotion back to the top flight but this is a game that means much more to Augsburg.
How the bookies view it
I'm surprised to see Augsburg as big as 14/5 with SBK given they have more to play for and could get a lift from a new gaffer coming in. Stuttgart's best price is 13/12 with the same firm while the draw pays 14/5 at Betfair.
Recent head to head
Augsburg have held the upper hand of late, winning six of the last 10 and losing three. But Stuttgart won 4-1 at Augsburg earlier this season (below) and also edged a 1-0 victory when these sides last faced off at the Mercedes Benz Arena. In between those two games, however, they were battered 6-0 in Augsburg.
Players to watch
Sasa Kalajdzic has been Stuttgart's main man this term, netting 15 times. Scotland fans can tell you how deadly he is after the big striker netted twice in a 2-2 World Cup qualifying draw at Hampden. Kalajdzic is a decent 6/4 at TonyBet for anytime scorer.
Swiss forward Ruben Vargas scored for Augsburg last time out and has eight for the season for club and country. He's 67/20 for anytime scorer with TonyBet which looks a little overpriced.
Anything else catch the eye?
Augsburg have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight games and Stuttgart just two in their last nine. That suggests we will see some goals, although BTTS is probably only good for accas at a best 8/13 with Betway. If you double BTTS with an Augsburg win the odds are a tempting 515/100 at TonyBet.
Over 2.5 goals is also pretty skinny at 8/11 with Bet365 but the odds increase to 9/5 at BetVictor for over 3.5 strikes.
With so much at stake for Augsburg it could pay to back them for a few cards. They are 13/10 at Betway to pick up the most bookings while William Hill price them at 5/4 for at least one card in each half.
This German Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and Augsburg will be played on May 7, 2021 and kick off at 19:30. Check below for our tipsters best VfB Stuttgart vs Augsburg prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
