RB Leipzig will take on Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday, hoping to extend their recent run of form with a win at home.
RB Leipzig ended their losing streak with two consecutive wins over Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Berlin, and they will be looking to build on those performances and grind out all three points when they take on Augsburg on Saturday.
RB Leipzig are currently fourth in the Bundesliga table, and they will be hoping to consolidate their position in the top four and secure Champions League qualification for the next season. The home side cannot afford to slip up, especially with clubs like Freiburg and Leverkusen breathing down their necks.
On the other hand, Augsburg are currently 13th in the league table and they are without a win in five of their last six league matches. The visitors are just six points adrift of the relegation play-off positions and could be sucked into the relegation battle if they continue to drop points.
They will be looking to pull off an upset here and it remains to be seen who comes out on top. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Marco Rose on tomorrow's opponents:
"I'm expecting an Augsburg side that's very tough to play against. I think they've developed well in terms of their football and positional play under Enrico Maaßen."#RBLFCA pic.twitter.com/0f8fXR9ldm
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) April 14, 2023
Team News and Tactics
RB Leipzig
The home side will be without the services of Xaver Schlager, who is ruled out after surgery on his ankle. Peter Gulacsi is still recovering from his ACL injury, and the RB Leipzig captain is set to miss out. Emil Forsberg and Yussuf Poulsen are out as well.
ℹ️ Team news ahead of #RBLFCA:@eforsberg10 (illness) and @yussufyurary (muscle problem) are unavailable. pic.twitter.com/r5E4nfwXOj
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) April 14, 2023
The hosts are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Janis Blaswich in goal. Benjamin Henrichs and David Raum will be deployed as the full-backs, and the two players will look to add creativity from the wide areas along with their defensive duties.
Willi Orban is set to start at the heart of the defence along with Josko Gvardiol. Konrad Laimer will start alongside Amadou Haidara in the midfield pivot, and the two players will look to break up the opposition attacks and win the ball back for their side.
Christopher Nkunku and Dani Olmo will be the inverted playmakers, and they will look to create opportunities for the attackers. Dominik Szoboszlai will be the central attacking midfielder, and he will look to link the midfield with the attack. Timo Werner is set to lead the line for RB Leipzig.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Blaswich; Henrichs, Orban, Gvardiol, Raum; Laimer, Haidara; Nkunku, Szoboszlai, Olmo; Werner
Augsburg
Augsburg are without the services of Andre Hahn and Tobias Strobl. Strobl is ruled out with an ACL injury, while Hahn suffered a serious knee injury. Ermedin Demirovic is suspended after picking up a red card against FC Schalke 04.
The visitors are likely to shape up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Rafal Gikiewicz in goal. Robert Gumny and Iago will start as the full-backs. The two players will be hoping to cover the central defenders and keep the likes of Emil Forsberg and Dani Olmo in check. At the heart of the defence, Felix Uduokhai will partner alongside Jeffrey Gouweleeuw.
Arne Maier and Ruben Vargas will start as the wingers, and the two players will look to hit RB Leipzig on the break and set up transitions for their side. Renato Veiga will start in the middle of the park along with Elvis Rexhbecaj. Dion Beljo will lead the line along with Mergim Berisha.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Gikiewicz; Gumny, Uduokhai, Gouweleeuw, Iago; Maier, Veiga, Rexhbecaj, Vargas; Beljo, Berisha
Key Stats
- RB Leipzig are undefeated in their last 12 matches against Augsburg in all competitions.
- RB Leipzig have scored at least two goals in seven of their last eight matches against Augsburg in all competitions.
- Augsburg have picked up just one win from the last six Bundesliga matches.
- 20 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two sides.
- RB Leipzig have kept clean sheets in the last two matches across all competitions.
Player to watch out for
Dominik Szoboszlai
The Hungarian midfielder was outstanding against Hertha Berlin in the last outing, and he will look to open up the Augsburg defence with his creativity and runs into the box. The 22-year-old has six goals and 11 assists to his name across all competitions, and he has the quality to punish a vulnerable Augsburg defence tomorrow.
His recent performances have also captured the attention of several high-profile clubs. And Szoboszlai will be eager to continue his fine run as we approach the business end of the 2022/23 season.
Prediction
Rb Leipzig 2-0 Augsburg
The home side are undoubtedly the favourites heading into this contest and they will be looking to pick up a comprehensive victory here.
The visitors are going through a poor run of form and they are lacking in confidence and belief right now.
The last time these two sides met in the league, they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw and Leipzig will not want to drop points here. With top four qualification at stake, the home side are likely to put their best foot forward.
The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for the hosts.
