Augsburg vs Koln Prediction: More home comforts for Claude-Maurice

Two mid-table Bundesliga teams, FC Augsburg (10th) and 1. FC Koln (12th), meet at the former's WWK Arena on Friday night (19:30 GMT, BBC iPlayer), with the visitors, in particular, looking to ease any relegation concerns by claiming maximum points this week.

Below are my Augsburg vs Koln predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

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New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Team News

Augsburg's interim boss, Manuel Baum, may have to make do without both Jeffrey Gouweleeuw (knee) and Chrislain Matsima (muscle) on Friday.

Football Odds

Linton Maina (ribs), Sebastian Sebulonsen, Jan Thielmann, Alessio Castro-Montes (all muscle), Timo Hubers and Luca Kilian (both knee) could all miss out for Lukas Kwasniok's Koln.

Augsburg vs Koln Odds

Augsburg are 6/5 favourites on Friday, implying a 45.5% probability of success, while Koln are 2/1, or a 33.3% chance, with the draw offered at 5/2.

Double Chance & Both Teams To Score - Augsburg or Draw & Yes @ 11/10

Augsburg are on a terrific run of form, losing just one of their last seven games (W4, D2), and they’ve won four of their last five (L1).

They’ve only kept one clean sheet across all seven matches, though, and their last shutout on home soil came in a goalless draw with Werder Bremen on December 20.

Koln, meanwhile, have failed to win any of their last three games (D1, L2), though they have scored at least once in all three, making it eight consecutive contests with a goal.

Today's Football Fixtures

Koln have only triumphed twice on their their league travels this season, and backing the home side in the ‘Double Chance & BTTS’ market has been a winning selection in seven of their 11 away matches, including all three this calendar year.

The last three head-to-heads have finished 1-1, so taking into account recent meetings between the two teams, as well as recent form, Augsburg or Draw & BTTS-Yes looks like a solid play here at 23/20.

Anytime Goalscorer - Alexis Claude-Maurice (AUG) @ 15/8

French forward Alexis Claude-Maurice made a slow start to the season, scoring just once and failing to provide an assist in his first 13 Bundesliga appearances.

However, the 27-year-old has struck three times and registered four assists for Augsburg in his last seven league games, and he’s been particularly productive on home soil.

Claude-Maurice has scored or assisted in his last four home matches, notching three times and assisting twice.