The Bundesliga season delivers another intriguing fixture as FC Augsburg prepares to host Borussia Dortmund at the WWK Arena on Friday, October 31, 2025. This Halloween night clash under the floodlights promises a battle of contrasting ambitions and styles. Augsburg, under the guidance of Sandro Wagner, will be fighting for crucial points to distance themselves from the relegation zone, while Niko Kovac’s Borussia Dortmund aims to solidify their position at the top of the table and maintain their title aspirations. The atmosphere at the WWK Arena, known for its passionate support, will undoubtedly play a significant role as Augsburg seeks to upset the odds against a formidable Dortmund side. Can the home team leverage their recent surprising head-to-head record, or will Dortmund’s superior form and quality shine through on this pivotal evening?
Head-to-Head: A Look at Past Encounters
The historical rivalry between FC Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund has seen its fair share of drama and unpredictable results. In a total of 29 matches played between the two sides, Borussia Dortmund holds a clear advantage, having secured 17 victories to Augsburg’s 5, with 7 matches ending in a draw.
Recent Results (Last 5 Meetings):
- March 8, 2025: Borussia Dortmund 0 – 1 FC Augsburg
- October 26, 2024: FC Augsburg 2 – 1 Borussia Dortmund
- May 4, 2024: Borussia Dortmund 5 – 1 FC Augsburg
- December 16, 2023: FC Augsburg 1 – 1 Borussia Dortmund
- May 21, 2023: FC Augsburg 0 – 3 Borussia Dortmund
Interestingly, despite Dortmund’s overall dominance, Augsburg managed to win both league encounters against the Black and Yellows in the preceding season (2024/2025), securing a 2-1 victory at the WWK Arena and a 1-0 win in Dortmund. This provides a compelling narrative for the upcoming match, suggesting Augsburg has found a way to trouble their more illustrious opponents recently. Past fixtures have also seen high-scoring thrillers, with an average of 3.66 goals per match in their direct encounters, highlighting the potential for an entertaining game.
Current Form & Team News
FC Augsburg
FC Augsburg enters this fixture in a challenging period. They are currently winless in their last four matches across all competitions, having secured only one victory in their last eight outings. Their defensive record has been a significant concern, with Augsburg being identified as one of the worst defensive teams in the competition, having conceded 20 goals in eight league rounds. Furthermore, they have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 11 matches in all competitions. Under Sandro Wagner, Augsburg suffered a recent 1-0 home defeat in the DFB Pokal against VfL Bochum, which further underscores their struggles.
On the team news front, Augsburg is expected to have a relatively full squad, with Jeffrey Gouweleeuw potentially being the only absentee due to injury. Standout players for Augsburg will need to be at their best to spark an unlikely result.
Borussia Dortmund
In stark contrast, Borussia Dortmund has enjoyed a strong start to the season and currently sits in fourth place in the Bundesliga standings. Niko Kovac’s side has shown impressive form, remaining unbeaten in their last three matches in all competitions. Their only recent defeat came against rivals Bayern Munich, a narrow 2-1 loss. Dortmund boasts one of the league’s best defensive records, having conceded only six goals in eight Bundesliga matches.
Key players like Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi have been instrumental in Dortmund’s attacking prowess this season and will be looked upon to make a significant impact. However, Dortmund might be without Emre Can and Julien Duranville, who were listed as unavailable in a recent predicted lineup.
Tactical Preview
This match will likely be a fascinating tactical battle. Under Sandro Wagner, FC Augsburg often adopts a pragmatic, counter-attacking style, frequently employing a structured 4-1-4-1 formation. They are known for parking men behind the ball, frustrating opponents, and looking to create opportunities from swift counters or set pieces. Wagner has also shown tactical flexibility, at times opting to play without a recognized striker, instead deploying two number 10s to facilitate direct play and counter-attacks. Augsburg’s strengths lie in taking long shots and an aggressive approach, though their defensive organization has been a glaring weakness this season.
Niko Kovac’s Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, typically favors a possession-based, aggressive, and fast-paced attacking style, often lining up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation. They prioritize high pressing, relentless counter-attacking, and swift transitions from defense to offense. Dortmund aims to exploit spaces in attack through intelligent off-the-ball movements and cohesive teamwork, with wingers often cutting inside while fullbacks provide width. Defensively, they aim for a compact and coordinated approach to nullify opponent attacks.
The midfield battle will be crucial. Dortmund will likely seek to overload centrally to dictate possession and penetrate Augsburg’s lines with intricate passing combinations. Augsburg, in turn, will look to disrupt Dortmund’s rhythm, win the ball back in deeper areas, and launch quick, incisive counter-attacks. Given the late October date in Germany, conditions at the WWK Arena are expected to be cool and potentially damp, which could lead to a fast-paced game, favoring Dortmund’s quick transitions if the pitch remains good. Travel fatigue should not be a significant factor for either side.
