RB Leipzig will take on Hoffenheim at the Rhein-Neckar Arena on Friday, looking to continue their impressive run of form and finish the season strongly.
With UEFA Champions League qualification clinched, RB Leipzig can breathe easy ahead of the visit of Hoffenheim on Friday. However, they will still be eager to finish the season as strongly as possible despite having nothing else to play for.
The visitors are unbeaten in their last six league matches, and they will be confident heading into this game. Meanwhile, Hoffenheim are ninth in the standings, and they have lost four of their last six league matches.
The home side have a poor record against RB Leipzig, and this will be a tricky encounter for them. It remains to be seen whether the home team can bounce back strongly. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Hoffenheim
Bambase Conte misses out with illness, while Dennis Geiger has a groin injury. Meanwhile, Stanley Nsoki misses out with a hip injury, Max Moerstedt has a bruised leg, while Mergim Berisha and Marco John are ruled out for the remainder of the season with ACL injuries.
Hoffenheim are likely to shape up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Oliver Baumann in goal. In the back three, Ozan Kabak will start alongside Anthony Brooks and Florian Grillitsch.
Pavel Kaderabek and Marius Bulter will start as the wing-backs here, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. As for the midfield unit, Anton Stach will start alongside Grischa Promel in the middle of the park. The two players will look to provide defensive cover to the side and break up opposition attacks.
Andrej Kramaric will start as the central attacking midfielder here, and he will look to link the midfield with the attack. Finally, Max Beier will lead the line for Hoffenheim alongside Wout Weghorst.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Baumann; Kabak, Brooks, Grillitsch; Kaderabek, Stach, Promel, Bulter; Kramaric; Beier, Weghorst
RB Leipzig
Mohamed Simakan misses out with a calf injury, and Christopher Lenz has a similar problem. The visitors will shape up in a 4-2-2-2 formation, with Janis Blaswich goal. Benjamin Henrichs and David Raum will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out defensively and join the attack during transitions.
Willi Orban will start at the heart of the defence alongside Castello Lukeba. Meanwhile, Dani Olmo and Xavi Simons will start in the wide areas and they will look to add creativity and goals from the flanks.
Amadou Haidara will start in the central midfield pairing alongside Xaver Schlager. The two players will look to add defensive cover and control in the midfield. Finally, Lois Openda will lead the line for RB Leipzig alongside Benjamin Sesko.
Probable Lineup (4-2-2-2): Blaswich; Henrichs, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Schlager, Haidara; Olmo, Xavi; Sesko, Openda
Key Stats
- RB Leipzig have won eight of their last ten matches against Hoffenheim in all competitions.
- RB Leipzig have won seven of their last eight matches in the Bundesliga.
- 18 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two teams.
- Hoffenheim have lost four of their last six matches in the Bundesliga.
- RB Leipzig have scored 18 goals in their last six outings.
Player to Watch
Xavi Simons
The 21-year-old has been in impressive form this season, and he will look to open up the Hoffenheim defence with his creativity and link up play. Simons was outstanding against Dortmund in his last outing, and he will look to continue his impressive run of form. The Dutchman has seven goals and 11 assists in the Bundesliga, and he is our key player to watch out for.
Prediction
Hoffenheim 1-3 RB Leipzig
The visitors are undoubtedly the better team here, and they are in impressive form right now. They have already secured UEFA Champions League qualification and can play without any pressure, allowing the players to express themselves.
The home team are completely lacking in confidence and form right now, and they are likely to come up short once again. Their disappointing run of form against RB Leipzig is likely to continue. A comfortable away win is on the cards.