Augsburg vs St. Pauli Prediction & Match Preview, Saturday, 31 January

Augsburg vs St. Pauli Prediction & Match Preview sets the stage for an intriguing Bundesliga clash this Saturday, 31 January. The match will take place at the WWK Arena, where Augsburg will look to make the most of their home advantage. Known for their resilience, Augsburg will be eager to secure vital points in front of their supporters.

St. Pauli, meanwhile, will be determined to make their mark in this Bundesliga encounter. As both teams battle for a favourable position in the league standings, this matchup promises competitive football. With Augsburg aiming to assert their dominance at home and St. Pauli seeking to upset the hosts, fans can expect a closely contested battle at the WWK Arena.

Augsburg vs St. Pauli Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Augsburg Draw No Bet	1.75

Taking into account the current form and market odds, our recommended betting tip for this match is ‘Augsburg Draw No Bet’. This option offers value and a safety net should the match end in a draw.

• Augsburg are unbeaten in their last 5 home matches, demonstrating strong form at the WWK Arena.
• St. Pauli’s recent away form is poor, with just one win in their last five away fixtures.
• Weather conditions favour Augsburg, who are more acclimatised to their home pitch.

Given Augsburg’s recent strong home form and St. Pauli’s struggles away from home, this bet provides a balanced risk and reward.

Betting Odds

Augsburg take to their home turf at the WWK Arena as favourites, with odds of 1.97 reflecting confidence in their ability to secure a win. However, St. Pauli, priced at 4.03, could appeal to punters seeking a potential upset.

Betting Tip	Odds
Augsburg to win	1.97
Draw	3.27
St. Pauli to win	4.03

The draw is also an interesting option at 3.27, especially considering both teams’ recent Bundesliga form. For punters, exploring the over 2.5 goals market may be worthwhile given the attacking potential on display.

Augsburg Analysis & Recent Performance

Augsburg currently sit 13th in the Bundesliga, experiencing a mixed run of form. Over their last five matches, they have managed just one win, with three draws and one defeat. Their recent 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich highlighted both their ability to compete with top sides and the need to improve defensively.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Bayern Munich	Augsburg	1 – 2 (Win)	Bundesliga	24 Jan 2026
Augsburg	Freiburg	2 – 2 (Draw)	Bundesliga	18 Jan 2026
Augsburg	Union Berlin	1 – 1 (Draw)	Bundesliga	15 Jan 2026
Borussia Moenchengladbach	Augsburg	4 – 0 (Loss)	Bundesliga	11 Jan 2026
Augsburg	Werder Bremen	0 – 0 (Draw)	Bundesliga	20 Dec 2025

Recent Form:

• WDDLD

Augsburg’s attacking output has been modest, averaging 1.00 goal per game in their last five outings, while conceding an average of 1.60 goals. They have managed only one clean sheet in this period. At home, Augsburg have fared better, remaining unbeaten with two wins and three draws in their last five fixtures, underlining a degree of resilience at the WWK Arena.

Augsburg Suspensions & Injuries

Augsburg will be without several key players due to injuries, which could significantly affect their tactical options against St. Pauli. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw is sidelined with a medial collateral ligament injury until mid-April, depriving the team of his defensive leadership. Chrislain Matsima’s tendon injury rules him out until early March, further depleting their defensive ranks. Kristijan Jakić is out until mid-February with a calf injury, limiting midfield depth, while Keven Schlotterbeck’s stomach upset is a minor concern, though he is expected to be available.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Jeffrey Gouweleeuw	Medial Collateral Ligament injury	Mid April 2026
Chrislain Matsima	Tendon injury	Early March 2026
Kristijan Jakić	Calf Injury	Mid February 2026
Keven Schlotterbeck	Stomach upset	Few days

The absences of Gouweleeuw and Matsima may force Augsburg to rely more heavily on Arthur Chaves and Cédric Zesiger to maintain defensive solidity. In midfield, the absence of Jakić could see increased responsibility for Elvis Rexhbecaj and Han-Noah Massengo to control the tempo and shield the backline. Manager Manuel Baum may need to adapt his tactics, possibly opting for a more conservative approach to mitigate these injuries.

With these key players unavailable, Augsburg’s depth will be tested, especially in defence. Their ability to adapt could influence the match outcome and betting markets, as defensive vulnerabilities may be targeted by St. Pauli. Augsburg’s resilience and tactical flexibility will be crucial to achieving a positive result.

Augsburg Key Players

Augsburg’s top scorer, Fabian Rieder, is pivotal to their attacking approach. With three goals to his name, Rieder’s ability to break down defences and his vision make him a constant threat. Operating in midfield, he not only scores but also orchestrates play with his creative passing, making him a dual threat.

Expected lineup for Augsburg

• Goalkeeper: Finn Dahmen
• Defence: Arthur Chaves, Keven Schlotterbeck, Cédric Zesiger
• Midfield: Robin Fellhauer, Elvis Rexhbecaj, Han-Noah Massengo, Dimitrios Giannoulis, Fabian Rieder, Alexis Claude
• Forward: Anton Kade

In midfield, Elvis Rexhbecaj and Han-Noah Massengo are vital for maintaining possession and transitioning play. Rexhbecaj’s experience and Massengo’s energy make them a formidable pairing capable of controlling the game’s tempo. Anton Kade, leading the line, provides attacking impetus, with his pace and agility key to exploiting defensive gaps.

Defensively, Arthur Chaves and Cédric Zesiger are tasked with keeping St. Pauli’s forwards at bay. Their aerial prowess and tackling are essential to maintaining a solid defensive line. The interplay among these key players will shape Augsburg’s tactical approach, balancing defence and attack.

Augsburg Tactics & Formation

Augsburg Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Anton Kade
• Midfield Dynamism: Fabian Rieder and Alexis Claude
• Defensive Structure: Three-man defence with Arthur Chaves, Keven Schlotterbeck, and Cédric Zesiger
• Notable Strategy: Emphasis on wing-backs and counter-attacking play.

Augsburg’s 3-4-2-1 setup allows them to utilise the width provided by wing-backs Robin Fellhauer and Dimitrios Giannoulis. This formation supports both defensive solidity and offensive transitions, crucial for a team aiming to exploit counter-attacks. The midfield, led by Elvis Rexhbecaj and Han-Noah Massengo, balances defensive duties with creative outlets.

Defensively, Augsburg’s three-man backline of Arthur Chaves, Keven Schlotterbeck, and Cédric Zesiger aims to provide stability. However, with recent injuries, such as Chrislain Matsima, Augsburg will need to adjust tactically to maintain defensive integrity, having managed only one clean sheet in their last five games.

Offensively, Augsburg rely heavily on the dynamism of Fabian Rieder and Alexis Claude to support lone striker Anton Kade. Their ability to transition quickly from defence to attack is pivotal, especially considering their recent performance against strong sides like Bayern Munich, where they managed to score twice despite limited possession.

St. Pauli Analysis & Recent Performance

St. Pauli have struggled for form in recent matches, failing to win any of their last five games, with two defeats and three draws. Their most recent outing ended in a 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig, showing competitiveness but ultimately lacking a cutting edge. Across these fixtures, St. Pauli have scored just four goals while conceding six, highlighting issues at both ends of the pitch.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
St. Pauli	RB Leipzig	1 – 1 (Draw)	Bundesliga	27 Jan 2026
St. Pauli	Hamburger SV	0 – 0 (Draw)	Bundesliga	23 Jan 2026
Borussia Dortmund	St. Pauli	3 – 2 (Loss)	Bundesliga	17 Jan 2026
Wolfsburg	St. Pauli	2 – 1 (Loss)	Bundesliga	14 Jan 2026
St. Pauli	Werder Bremen	0 – 0 (Draw)	Club Friendlies	4 Jan 2026

Recent Form:

• DDLLD

St. Pauli’s attack has been subdued, averaging just 0.80 goals per game over the last five matches. They have kept two clean sheets, indicating some defensive resilience. However, their inability to secure a victory and a win ratio of 0.00 points to a need for tactical adjustments. Notably, St. Pauli’s away form is concerning, with only one win in their last ten away matches—a win ratio of just 0.10. Their 17th-place position in the league, with 14 points, underlines the challenges they face.

St. Pauli Suspensions & Injuries

St. Pauli face significant challenges with several key players sidelined through injury. David Nemeth’s tendon injury and Simon Spari’s ligament injury will keep them out until February, which could affect the team’s defensive stability. Connor Metcalfe’s knee injury, ruling him out until March, further limits midfield options, while Andreas Hountondji’s broken ankle means he is unavailable until April, reducing attacking depth.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
David Nemeth	Tendon injury	Early February 2026
Simon Spari	Ligament injury	Late February 2026
Andreas Hountondji	Broken ankle	Late April 2026
Connor Metcalfe	Knee injury	Early March 2026

The absence of these players requires tactical adjustments from manager Alexander Blessin. With Nemeth and Spari unavailable, the defensive line will rely heavily on current starters such as Tomoya Ando and Hauke Wahl to maintain composure. In midfield, Eric Smith and James Sands are expected to step up in Metcalfe’s absence, ensuring the team’s central play remains intact.

While these injuries pose a challenge, St. Pauli’s squad depth allows them to remain competitive. The tactical impact will likely be a more cautious approach, prioritising defensive solidity over expansive play. These adjustments may influence betting odds, with St. Pauli potentially seen as underdogs due to their depleted squad.

St. Pauli Key Players

St. Pauli’s lineup will rely heavily on the performances of their key players, especially in the absence of top scorer Andreas Hountondji. Leading the attack will be Ricky-Jade Jones, who is expected to shoulder the goal-scoring responsibility. Jones’s pace and agility make him a constant threat to opposition defences, and his ability to exploit space will be crucial for St. Pauli’s attacking ambitions. In midfield, the composure and tactical awareness of Eric Smith will be pivotal. Smith’s ability to dictate play and distribute the ball effectively can set the tone for St. Pauli’s offensive efforts.

Defensively, Hauke Wahl and Karol Mets form a solid centre-back pairing, essential for maintaining a strong defensive line. Wahl’s leadership and Mets’s physicality are key attributes that can help St. Pauli withstand Augsburg’s attacking threats. The team’s overall tactical approach will likely focus on defensive solidity while using the speed of their forwards on the counter.

Expected lineup for St. Pauli

• Goalkeeper: Nikola Vasilj
• Defence: Tomoya Ando, Hauke Wahl, Karol Mets
• Midfield: Manolis Saliakas, James Sands, Eric Smith, Arkadiusz Pyrka, Danel Sinani, Joel Chima Fujita
• Forward: Ricky-Jade Jones

St. Pauli Tactics & Formation

St. Pauli Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Ricky-Jade Jones
• Midfield Pivot: James Sands and Eric Smith
• Defensive Challenge: Only two clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Emphasis on wing play and fluid midfield transitions.

St. Pauli’s 3-4-2-1 formation is designed to exploit width and provide flexibility in attacking transitions. With James Sands and Eric Smith as the central midfield pivot, they aim to control the tempo and offer defensive cover. The wing-backs, Manolis Saliakas and Arkadiusz Pyrka, are crucial for providing width and delivering crosses.

Defensively, the trio of Tomoya Ando, Hauke Wahl, and Karol Mets face challenges in keeping clean sheets, having managed only two in their last five outings. This vulnerability often stems from susceptibility to quick counter-attacks and set pieces.

Offensively, St. Pauli focus on utilising the pace of Ricky-Jade Jones up front, supported by the creativity of Danel Sinani and Joel Chima Fujita. The absence of key players like Connor Metcalfe due to injury necessitates tactical adjustments, particularly in midfield depth and defensive stability.

Augsburg vs St. Pauli Head-to-Head Record

In their last nine head-to-head meetings, Augsburg have won four times, while St. Pauli have claimed three victories, with two matches ending in draws. The most recent encounter saw St. Pauli edge Augsburg 2-1 at home in the Bundesliga, suggesting a closely contested rivalry.

The last time Augsburg hosted St. Pauli was in September 2024, where they secured a 3-1 win in the Bundesliga. Augsburg’s home advantage could be a key factor in this upcoming fixture, given their solid record at the WWK Arena.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
St. Pauli	Augsburg	2 – 1	Bundesliga	2025-09-14
St. Pauli	Augsburg	1 – 1	Bundesliga	2025-02-01
Augsburg	St. Pauli	3 – 1	Bundesliga	2024-09-15
St. Pauli	Augsburg	3 – 0	2. Bundesliga	2010-04-12
Augsburg	St. Pauli	3 – 2	2. Bundesliga	2009-11-22