Augsburg vs Eintracht Frankfurt preview - Weinzierl keeping feet on ground

Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl is refusing to ponder the prospect of European football next season ahead of Sunday's Bundesliga clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.

With Borussia Monchengladbach losing at Schalke on Friday night, Augsburg have the chance to strengthen their claim for a Champions League berth by making it nine points out of nine from their first week back at work in 2015.

But Weinzierl is not getting carried away by his side's lofty position.

"The aim is still 40 points," said the 40-year-old, whose team triumphed for the first time over Borussia Dortmund in midweek and could go third in the standings with another three points on Sunday.

"We're taking things from game to game and hope that we can reach that as soon as possible.

"We are going to have to be at our very best again on Sunday as that is the only way we can win.

"If we are only at 90 per cent, then we will lose. We have a lot of self-confidence and want to keep that going."

Their self-confidence can be fuelled also by their record at the Augsburg Arena, where they have won seven and lost only two so far this term.

However, they will have to make do without new signing Christoph Janker on Sunday following his red card against Dortmund.

"It's obviously a pity that I'm now suspended, but I'd like to thank the coach in any case for the faith he showed in me," Janker said on his club's website.

"It's not something you can just take for granted, being given your debut in a game like the one in Dortmund so soon after being signed."

Frankfurt are also confident after picking up a draw with high-flying Wolfsburg, having started the new year with a 4-1 loss at Freiburg.

"We've shown considerable improvements," coach Thomas Schaaf said. "You can also see in training how the team are taking this positive development with them."