Leverkusen prepared to face Bundesliga’s ‘best team’ in Augsburg

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Bayer Leverkusen coach Carles Martinez believes his team are going up against the best side in the Bundesliga on Saturday, as they visit table-topping Augsburg.

Augsburg are one of four teams on maximum points after two matchdays in the Bundesliga, with Freiburg, Borussia Dortmund and Elversberg also earning two victories.

And, having followed up a 3-0 win over Schalke with an eye-catching 4-1 success at Eintracht Frankfurt last Sunday, Augsburg ended a Bundesliga matchday at the top of the table for the first time in their history. 

It is the first time a team other than Bayern Munich have been top at the end of a matchday since MD2 of 2024-25 (Heidenheim), ending their streak of 67 matchdays at the top.

And Martinez, whose Leverkusen side have three points on the board after losing 3-2 to Elversberg and routing Union Berlin 4-0, does not feel the hosts’ start is a flash in the pan.

“They’re top of the table, so they’re currently the best team in the league,” he told reporters on Friday.

“They’ve put in two good performances, both in attack and defence, and deserve to be up there.

“Augsburg are playing with a lot of confidence at home at the moment; we need to recognise that. 

“But the focus is on us. That’s the message that applies throughout the season. We have to give our all, start the match with focus and show passion.”

Pics von der Mittwochseinheit!  pic.twitter.com/EtCfjarqqd

— FC Augsburg (@FCAugsburg) September 9, 2026

Moussa Diaby came off the bench in the 67th minute of Leverkusen’s win over Union, having returned to the club for a second stint after three years with Aston Villa and Al-Ittihad. 

Martinez says it will be a gradual process to integrate the winger, but he should be involved again this weekend.

“He’s settled in very well. I’m only just getting to know him, but I understand why many say he’s more mature than he used to be,” Martinez added.

“He trains incredibly hard and can help the club improve. I’m glad he’s with us.

“These days, you need depth in a squad if you want to compete for trophies. It’s great to have plenty of options. Of course, not everyone can play. 

“But the most important thing is that everyone gets a chance to prove themselves – whether from the start or towards the end of a game.”

Wolf has created eight chances in the Bundesliga this season, with only Mainz’s Nadiem Amiri, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Franck Honorat and RB Leipzig’s David Raum (nine each) creating more.

Wolf also ranks third in the league for expected assists, with 1.52 xA. Only Leverkusen’s Miguel Gutierrez (1.63) and Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Ryerson (1.54).

Schick has scored eight goals in his last seven Bundesliga appearances – no other player has scored as many in the competition since matchday 30 of last season. 

He has also scored in each of the first two matchdays of a Bundesliga campaign for the very first time.

MATCH PREDICTION: BAYER LEVERKUSEN WIN

In 10 of their 15 shared Bundesliga seasons, either Augsburg or Leverkusen have completed a league double over the other. 

Augsburg achieved this for only the second time in 2025-26 (2-0 at home, 2-1 away), though they have never won three consecutive matches against Leverkusen before.

Augsburg have also picked up points in 12 of their last 13 Bundesliga home games (W7 D5), collecting 26 points from a possible 39. 

They could now win their first two home matches of a Bundesliga season for the first time in club history.

But Leverkusen are still the Opta supercomputer’s favourites, and it would be no surprise if Saturday’s game provided plenty of goalmouth action. Only Leipzig have attempted more shots (44) than Leverkusen (42) and Augsburg (41) in the Bundesliga this season. 

Ready for another big test tomorrow #FCAB04 pic.twitter.com/UNmJXhJuo5

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) September 11, 2026

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