Augsburg vs Freiburg prediction 18.01.2026 | Bundesliga

Augsburg’s Bundesliga survival streak now stretches to 14 straight seasons, though comfort has rarely been part of the equation. All the last ten campaigns ended in the bottom half, and this one is drifting the same way. Right now, only three points keep the Fuggerstädter clear of the bottom three. One sloppy afternoon and the mood changes quickly.

Manuel Baum’s side are winless in four. Two losses, two draws. Not great, but there’s a small caveat worth mentioning. Both draws came at the WWK Arena, and Augsburg are unbeaten in their last four home matches overall. That run includes a rather eye-catching 2–0 win over Leverkusen, which still feels a bit surprising when you replay it in your head.

Fabian Rieder has quietly been their standout performer. Three goals, two assists, and a sense that something happens when the Swiss midfielder is on the ball. After coming off the bench against Union Berlin, he’ll be pushing for a start here. At the back, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw remains sidelined with an inner ligament injury, while Chrislain Matsima is still dealing with a tendon tear.

Freiburg are in their tenth consecutive Bundesliga season, which says a lot about the club’s stability. Die Breisgauer have finished in the top half in each of the last six campaigns, and last season’s 5th-place finish matched their best-ever top-flight result. Eighth place after 17 games is solid, but it probably feels a little underwhelming given those recent highs.

Julian Schuster’s side saw a four-game unbeaten run come to an end with a 2–0 loss away at RB Leipzig in midweek. That match underlined a recurring issue. Freiburg just haven’t travelled well this season. Two wins from nine away league games tells the story, and it gets thinner when you zoom out further. One win in the last eight on the road.

Johan Manzambi has been one of the brighter sparks. Three goals and two assists so far, and he’s expected to start on the wing again. There are a few fitness concerns, though. Daniel-Kofi Kyereh and Max Rosenfelder are doubts, while Philipp Lienhart is currently ill. Nothing catastrophic, but enough to disrupt rhythm.