SC Freiburg vs Augsburg preview - Augsburg have one eye on Europe

Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl is on the verge of extending his contract with the Bavarian club, according to reports in Germany.

Weinzierl led Augsburg to their best-ever finish last season and they are on course to go even better this term with a place in Europe looking achievable.

According to Sport Bild, this has convinced club bosses to extend his current contract, which expires in 2017, before other clubs come calling.

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola is just one of Weinzierl's coaching fraternity to have expressed his admiration for the self-made coach, who was close to being shown the door by Augsburg just three years ago when the club narrowly avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth.

On Saturday, they face a Freiburg side who are in the position many expected Augsburg to be in, only instead of needing points to avoid relegation, the Bavarians are looking to strengthen their claim for a place in Europe next term.

"Augsburg have great quality and they deserve to be where they are," said Freiburg coach Christian Streich, paying tribute to his side's opponents.

"Of course they are now going to fight to play in Europe next season.

"They've been playing with a lot of stability this season. We need to have more conviction in attack and show the necessary speed of thought to make the right decisions under pressure."

Streich will be without the suspended Marc Torrejon at the back, but Nils Petersen could be an option up front having recovered from a knee ligament tear.

"He's definitely an option for the squad," admitted Streich.