One of the many surprises of the first half of the Bundesliga season was Augsburg; they will be looking to further derail Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga campaign.

Preview: Is Dortmund already out of the title race?

15 points behind Bayern and the season is only halfway through – Jürgen Klopp would be forgiven for feeling a bit downtrodden at this point. Dortmund’s form in Europe hid their abysmal form in the Bundesliga prior to the winter break. Loss after loss came and Klopp really had no explanation. Injuries of course played their part as did weariness. Marco Reus looked set for a much needed holiday by the time the Bundesliga took a break in December 2013.

Dortmund’s last match prior to the winter break saw them lose to Hertha Berlin, 1-2. Prior to this match, they drew 2-2 against Hoffenheim; they were behind by two goals but managed to recover in that match. A loss against Leverkusen preceded the draw against “the Hoff”.

 

The difference between BVB and their next opponent in the league is a mere eight points. Augsburg could contend for a “revelation of the season” award; they have been Bavaria’s biggest surprise this season. They are behind BVB by a mere eight points. Prior to the winter break, Markus Weinzierl’s side picked up a 1-1 draw against a very good Eintracht Frankfurt side. They thumped Braunschweig 4-1 prior to that win. A surprising victory over a much improved HSV side by a single goal preceded the match against the cellar dwellers.

The Bavarians will be without Jan Moravek, Arif Ekin, Mohamed Amsif and Ronny Philp. Dortmund will be without Neven Subotic who is not set to return prior to April. Midfielder Ilkay Gündogan continues to battle with injury and will remain out of this one. The list of injuries is nonetheless much shorter than that before the winter break. They will be refreshed but the main aim surely now is a UEFA Champions League spot.

Augsburg will be disciplined; they will be prepared to throw the kitchen sink at BVB. Dortmund must respond well and convert their chances to get past this tough outfit. BVB must be careful if they are to finish in third if not second; or else Mönchengladbach (who are already ahead in the standings currently), Wolfsburg, Schalke or even Hertha BSC might take that spot in May.

Where to watch the match: Live Streams, Live Scores, Start Times, TV Channels:

Watch Borussia Dortmund vs FC Augsburg live on Saturday, January 25, 2014:

In Germany on Liga Total, Sky Bundesliga 1, BVB Total, Sky Go, Sky Bundesliga HD 1, NDR 2, Sky Bundesliga 2, WDR 2, Radio Bremen, MDR Info, Sky Bundesliga HD 2, Sport1.FM, Liga Total Mobile TV, TeleClub Sport

For the complete TV listings and live scores upon kick-off, visit the Dortmund-Augsburg match page.