Bayer Leverkusen vs Augsburg: prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups – 18 April 2026
The 30th round of the German Bundesliga brings Bayer Leverkusen and Augsburg head-to-head this Saturday, 18 April 2026, at the BayArena in Leverkusen. The hosts are locked in a fierce battle for a Champions League spot, while the visitors have all but secured a comfortable mid-table finish.
Match preview
Bayer, under Danish manager Kasper Hjulmand, come into this round in 5th place with 52 points. After 29 matches, the Leverkusen side trail RB Leipzig and Stuttgart by just four points. The team is in solid form, though their last six games have seen a mix of wins and draws—three stalemates in their last six. For the "Pharmacists," this fixture is a critical chance to close the gap to the Champions League zone, especially given their strong home record.
Currently, Bayer are showcasing attacking football, having already netted 59 goals, but lapses in defense do occur from time to time. This Saturday, expect Leverkusen to seize control of possession and systematically dismantle Augsburg’s backline. It's worth noting that Bayer are also alive in the DFB-Pokal, with a semi-final clash against Bayern Munich coming up on 22 April, so the coach will need to rotate wisely to avoid slipping up in the league.
Augsburg sit 10th on 33 points and are in a comfortable position. The team has virtually steered clear of the relegation battle, holding an eight-point cushion over the playoff zone. In the previous round, the "Fuggerstädter" played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim. However, their away form remains their Achilles’ heel: Augsburg have managed just three wins in 14 away matches this season.
Tactically, the visitors are likely to employ a deep defensive block in Leverkusen. Augsburg have conceded a hefty 53 goals in 29 rounds, which could be a decisive factor against Bayer's potent attack. That said, Augsburg pulled off a shock in the reverse fixture, beating Bayer 2-0 at home, so they’ll arrive at the BayArena with no fear, hoping to catch the favorites on the counter once again.
Key facts and head-to-head
- Bayer are unbeaten in three consecutive matches.
- Both teams have scored in five of Bayer’s last seven games.
- Augsburg, on the other hand, are winless in their last five matches.
- Both teams have scored in four of Augsburg’s last five games.
- In the last ten meetings between these sides, Leverkusen have the upper hand with six wins, Augsburg have triumphed three times, and one match ended in a draw.
- The reverse fixture ended with a 2-0 win for Augsburg.
Probable lineups
- Bayer: Flekken – Badé, Andrich, Tapsoba – Vasquez, García, Palacios, Grimaldo – Maza, Tella, Schick
- Augsburg: Dahmen – Schlotterbeck, Gouweleeuw, Zesiger – Wolf, Fellhauer, Rieder, Giannoulis – Kade, Claude-Maurice, Gregoritsch
Prediction
Bayer are firm favorites and will likely seize the initiative, turning the match into an attacking showcase. However, Augsburg are precisely the kind of team that can exploit open spaces created by Leverkusen’s all-out assaults. Given the hosts’ high motivation and the visitors’ freedom from pressure, we can expect an open, entertaining game with goals at both ends. Bayer’s defensive issues and Augsburg’s consistent scoring in 2026 make both teams to score the most probable scenario. My prediction: Both teams to score (Yes).
