RB Leipzig will be desperate to return to winning ways when they host FC Heidenheim at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday.
The 2023/24 Bundesliga season resumes this week with Matchday 13 on Friday. The action on Saturday will kick off with four simultaneous fixtures, one of them pitting RB Leipzig and FC Heidenheim at the Red Bull Arena.
RB Leipzig began the season in the best way possible, beating Bayern Munich in the DFL Supercup. But they have blown hot and cold since then, struggling to stitch a run of wins. Marco Rose’s men have won only two of their last five Bundesliga fixtures, dropping to fifth on the table, 11 points behind the table-topping Bayer Leverkusen. Their most recent game also ended in a loss, with Manchester City coming from behind to beat them 3-2.
On the other hand, Heidenheim will likely go the entire season mired in the relegation dogfight. But four points in their last three games have helped them consolidate their place in the lower mid-table. Meanwhile, Frank Schmidt’s men have a promising run of fixtures after this weekend’s tie, with ninth-placed SC Freiburg being their most tricky opponent.
The most recent clash between RB Leipzig and FC Heidenheim ended in a 3-1 win for the home side in a 2. Bundesliga fixture. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
RB Leipzig
Marco Rose has new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against FC Heidenheim on Saturday, the RB Leipzig manager might be bereft of the services of five first-team players.
El Chadaille Bitshiabu (knee), Willi Orban (knee), and Dani Olmo (shoulder) remain on the sidelines due to their respective injuries. Meanwhile, Xavi Simons (shoulder) and Timo Werner (muscular) are doubtful for the game after picking up knocks earlier this week against Manchester City.
Janis Blaswich will take his spot between the sticks, with RB Leipzig lining up in a 4-2-2-2 formation in front of him against Heidenheim. The backline will feature Benjamin Henrichs, Mohamed Simakan, Castello Lukeba, and David Raum. The two full-backs will provide the width in the final third, with Raum, in particular, holding the key with his output.
As for the midfield unit, Xaver Schlager and Kevin Kampl will hold the fort in the middle of the park. The duo’s presence will liberate Christoph Baumgartner and Emil Forsberg, who will supply the final balls to the two strikers — Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko.
Probable Lineup (4-2-2-2): Blaswich; Henrichs, Simakan, Lukeba, Raum; Schlager, Kampl; Baumgartner, Forsberg; Openda, Sesko
FC Heidenheim
Like his counterpart in the RB Leipzig dugout, Frank Schmidt has a new roster issue to deal with ahead of the trip to the Red Bull Arena. The FC Heidenheim manager will be without three first-team players on Saturday.
Eren Dinkci is the latest absentee, with the 21-year-old serving a suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards. The German winger has joined Thomas Keller (ACL) and Elidon Qenaj (knee) on the sidelines.
FC Heidenheim will line up in a 4-4-2 formation against RB Leipzig, with Kevin Muller taking his spot between the sticks. The defensive unit will likely feature Omar Haktab Traore, Jonas Fohrenbach, Benedikt Gimber, and captain Patrick Mainka.
As for the midfield unit, Florian Pick should replace Dinkci on the right flank, joining Jan-Niklas Beste, Lennard Maloney, and Norman Theuerkauf. Finally, Marvin Pieringer and Tim Kleindienst will be the two strikers for Heidenheim against RB Leipzig.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Muller; Traore, Mainka, Gimber, Fohrenbach; Pick, Maloney, Theuerkauf, Beste; Pieringer, Kleindienst
Key Stats
- RB Leipzig and FC Heidenheim have previously on locked horns in Bundesliga 2 and 3. Liga. The Red Bulls are unbeaten at home and won the most recent encounter 3-1 in March 2016 after two draws.
- RB Leipzig are unbeaten in their 29 Bundesliga matches against promoted clubs (W26 D3, including 13 consecutive wins most recently). No team in Bundesliga history has faced more promoted sides so often without a single defeat. Bayern Munich were the only other outfit to manage a longer run (32 games between 2010 and 2018).
- FC Heidenheim have earned only one of their 11 points in the Bundesliga this season in away games. One point on the road is a league-low along with Werder Bremen.
- RB Leipzig are unbeaten in 10 home matches in the Bundesliga, winning eight (D2), dating back to a 3-0 loss to FSV Mainz on 1 April.
- Both teams have scored in four of Heidenheim’s last five Bundesliga games on the road.
Player to Watch
Lois Openda
Many raised an eyebrow when RB Leipzig signed Lois Openda from RC Lens. Die Roten Bullen paid a sizable sum to secure the Belgian striker’s services, and pundits questioned the decision. But the Bundesliga giants knew what they were getting into with the big-money deal.
Openda has hit the ground running at the Red Bull Arena, amassing 13 goals and three assists thus far this term. The 23-year-old has taken no time to become a pivotal figure for RB Leipzig, and he needs to be at his best to inspire his club to return to winning ways.
Prediction
RB Leipzig 2-0 FC Heidenheim
RB Leipzig’s record against newly-promoted Bundesliga clubs is impeccable, and that will unlikely change on Saturday. In addition, the hosts have a superb recent record at the Red Bull Arena, not losing a Bundesliga game at home in ten games.
Meanwhile, FC Heidenheim’s record on the road is dreadful, with the Bundesliga debutants managing only one point in away games thus far this season. So, with the two teams not matching up to each other, Marco Rose’s charges should clinch a relatively straightforward 2-0 win this weekend.
