Champions Bayern Munich will have the chance to damage Augsburg's European hopes when the two sides meet at the Allianz Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Augsburg are looking to secure a place in the top six as they bid to reach the Europa League, while Bayern are set to make changes after a disappointing week in Europe.
Bayern Munich
© Getty Images
For the first time this season, the Bayern fans are likely to travel to the Allianz Arena low on confidence and with a negative outlook when the squad return to Bundesliga action on Saturday.
A club which is used to success in every competition cruised to the title in dominant fashion, but their treble bid was destroyed by a penalty shootout loss to Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal semi-final and they suffered another disappointment in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Lionel Messi was at his best at Camp Nou as Barcelona took a huge step towards the final by clinching a 3-0 victory in the first leg to ruin Pep Guardiola's return to his former club.
Criticism of Guardiola's tactics in the early stages of the game may have been justified, but there was very little the German champions could do about the late assault from the hosts and Bayern are facing a near impossible task ahead of the second leg.
That result is certain to have knocked the confidence of every Bayern player, and although the chances of them fighting back to reach the final are slim at best, Guardiola's focus will be firmly on the visit of Barcelona on Tuesday.
In the space of a week, Bayern have gone from celebrating title success to three matches without a win and they played their part in the Champions League race last weekend with a 2-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern rarely go so long without winning a game, and even if the target is causing a shock against Barcelona next week, Guardiola will be keen to see his side gain some momentum with a win in front of their fans on Saturday.
Recent form: LWWWWL
Recent form (all competitions): WWWLLL
Augsburg
© Getty Images
Earlier in the campaign a top-four finish did not seem to be out of the question for an Augsburg side which has shocked so many people with their style and success in what should already be considered a fine season.
However, if Markus Weinzierl's side fall short in their bid for Europa League qualification, there will be a strong feeling of frustration among the supporters due to the collapse they have suffered in the second half of the campaign.
Despite winning just one of their last eight league games, Augsburg remain in control of sixth spot with three games remaining and they currently sit just two points behind fifth-placed Schalke 04.
A Europa League spot is there for the taking, but the biggest challenge for Weinzierl will be to restore confidence as they look to halt a poor run of performances at the toughest ground to visit in Germany.
Visiting the champions when they have their focus on the Champions League should come as a boost, and with matches against Hannover and Borussia Monchengladbach to come, Augsburg may look at the clash with Bayern as an opportunity to turn their form around.
Recent form: LDLWLD
Team News
© Getty Images
Bayern's injury list has dominated the headlines in recent weeks, and Guardiola was dealt another blow on Thursday with the news that Franck Ribery's ankle problem is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season.
There was finally some good news as David Alaba returned to light training, but he is unlikely to be risked for at least another week as he battles to reach full fitness.
Guardiola is expected to rest most of his key men ahead of the second leg with Barcelona, and the likes of Mitchell Weiser, Javi Martinez and Rico Strieder are all in line for starts.
Augsburg boss Weinzierl is unlikely to make major changes to his side following last weekend's goalless draw with FC Koln, but Dominik Kohr could return in midfield.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Reina, Rafinha, Martinez, Dante, Weiser, Strieder, Gaudino, Lahm, Gotze, Thiago, Pizarro
Augsburg possible starting lineup:
Hitz, Verhaegh, Klavan, Hong, Baba, Feulner, Kohr, Baier, Feulner, Altintop, Werner, Bobadilla
Head To Head
Before injuries ended his season prematurely, Robben added Augsburg to his long list of victims by scoring twice in a 4-0 victory in the reverse fixture back in December.
Since arriving in the Bundesliga for the first time in 2011, Augsburg have played Bayern nine times in the league and DFB-Pokal, losing in eight of the matches.
Augsburg's only victory over Bayern came when Sacha Molders scored the winner in a 1-0 triumph at the SGL Arena last season.
We say: Bayern 1-1 Augsburg
Bayern will have no choice other than to rest most of their key players as they bid to produce a shock against Barcelona on Tuesday night, and that should give a boost to Augsburg, who can afford to be positive at the home of the champions. Weinzierl's side will be tough to beat, and they'll be confident of picking up a point.
No Data Analysis info
