Bundesliga preview and tips: Borussia Dortmund to extend title race with win at Augsburg

Paul Bathurst
20 May 2023

The most competitive Bundesliga season in recent years has developed into a two-horse race that has led Tipstrr football pundit Paul Bathurst to look closer at Dortmund’s penultimate game.

Borussia Dortmund sit just one point behind fierce rivals Bayern Munich as they seek to end what has been a decade of domination from the Bavarian side. Dortmund's next obstacle is an away game at Augsburg who have struggled all season.

Dortmund are probably still rueing their 1-1 draw away at relegation-threatened Bochum three weeks ago, in a game in which they created 2.95xG (expected goals) but could only find the back of the net once through Donyell Malen's seventh-minute equaliser.

In a season that has been full of twists and turns, Dortmund will be looking for another by winning their remaining two games and hoping that Bayern Munich slip up and have an off day on their run-in.

We can expect Dortmund to start this game with a high intensity and seek to put the game to bed in the first half, as they have done in their previous two matches, making a bet on Dortmund/Dortmund in the HT/FT market appear to be wise at around evens.

Suggested bet: Half-time/Full-time - Dortmund/Dortmund

A huge concern for Dortmund has arisen this week with news that Jude Bellingham could possibly miss Sunday's match at Augsburg.

The England star picked up a knee problem in their 5-2 victory at Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend, resulting in him missing training sessions earlier this week.

Seemingly destined for a big move in the summer, Bellingham has been Dortmund's most important player this season and is in fine form having scored three goals in his previous two appearances.

If Jude Bellingham does manage to play, his form would warrant a bet on the anytime goalscorer market, especially as the Englishman is also Dortmund's designated penalty taker.

Augsburg have problems of their own with Robert Gummy being suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend. Ruben Vargas and Arne Maier are also doubts with an ankle and thigh injury respectively, while Julian Baumgartlinger is out for the remainder of the season with a twisted knee.

Edin Terzic and his players will likely be in front of the television at 17:30 in Germany on Saturday, hoping that Champions League-chasing Red Bull Leipzig can do them the biggest of favours.

They have been leaving nothing to chance since their shock result at Bochum. A 6-0 win at home to Europe-chasing Wolfsburg, before their 5-2 demolition of Monchengladbach, has shown that they will not become complacent in their quest for Bundesliga glory.

While any sort of win this weekend would be welcomed, Terzic will not allow his side to sit on a one or two-goal lead, and will continue to demand more goals to seal their needed win in style and comfort.