Hoffenheim's high press can force Bremen into an early decision with the ball. Bremen have a direct outlet and wide receivers to play beyond that first wave. In Augsburg's match with Freiburg, both teams can use the flanks and the next ball after a restart. Each contest hinges on what the defending side does immediately after the first delivery.
For Bremen, Reis or Regeer can reach Füllkrug directly, then Grüll and Weiser can supply the far side or a second cross. Hoffenheim can attack through Kramarić and Asllani after a regain, but Prass is suspended after playing the full cup match, Gendrey left it injured and Coufal played through pain. Bremen's main outlets all played together recently. I expect the home side to keep finding a reply through those receivers, so I'm siding with Bremen to take something from the match.
Augsburg can use Behrens and Rieder to reach a central receiver, while Freiburg's Grifo and Gunter can deliver to Matanovic or the next runner. Augsburg's Bah and Brackelmann played against Union but missed the cup and are out; Keitel and Gouweleeuw gained replacement minutes there. Freiburg's Treu left the cup injured, with the full-back group still settling. Behrens' repeated supply and Augsburg's next contact after a setback give them a path to stay level or move ahead, so I'm siding with Augsburg to take something from this match.
