Unbeaten RB Leipzig are all set to host 12th-placed Augsburg at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday in search of their third win.
The inconsistent FC Augsburg will be looking for their second win of the 2024/25 Bundesliga when they hit the road to square up against RB Leipzig, who have failed to win their last two league outings.
The home team are currently fifth in the Bundesliga thanks to two wins and as many draws in the initial phase of the season. They might be unbeaten, but their recent form has not been that great.
RB Leipzig played out a draw against Union Berlin in their third league game, and they also had to settle for a draw against newly promoted FC St. Pauli. Despite dominating the ball, they were not clinical enough. Between the two draws, they lost at the hands of Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
As far as the visitors are concerned, they are currently 12th with just one win in their four outings. Their only win came against FC St. Pauli, who somehow managed to hold off Leipzig in their last outings.
Augsburg are heading into this one on the back of a 3-2 defeat at the hands of FSV Mainz. They had more of the ball and created a truckload of chances but could not secure the three points. Now, they will hope for a better performance in the final third against RB Leipzig. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
RB Leipzig
Xaver Schlager will remain on the sidelines until the start of next year. Assan Ouedraogo and Kevin Kampl are also expected to be out injured for a while. Meanwhile, Eljif Elmas has picked up a knock, and he might not be available for selection.
The home team will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, which will be more like a 4-2-2-2 in the offensive phases. Peter Gulácsi will be in goal for RB Leipzig, while Lutsharel Geertruida and David Raum will be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Willi Orban will start alongside Castello Lukeba.
The back four will aim for a clean sheet, and they will get some protection from Amadou Haidara and Nicolas Seiwald, who will reprise central roles in front of them. Meanwhile, Christoph Baumgartner and Xavi Simons will feature on the flanks. The duo will look to provide width to their attacks and create chances for Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko, who will lead the line.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Gulacsi; Geertruida, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Baumgartner, Haidara, Seiwald, Simons; Sesko. Openda
FC Augsburg
Samuel Essende is suspended following a red card in their last outing. Apart from him, Robert Gumny and Daniel Klein are unavailable. Reece Oxford has contracted COVID-19 and is expected to be unavailable. But, Augsburg could have a boost as Masaya Okugawa is expected to be back in time for the game against RB Leipzig.
The visitors will go ahead with the 3-4-2-1 formation, where Nediljko Labrovic will be in goal. The back three will be made up of Maximilian Bauer, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Keven Schlotterbeck. They will look to keep things tight at the back while having the support of the wing-backs Marius Wolf and Dimitris Giannoulis. The duo will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch.
In the centre of the park, Frank Onyeka and Kristijan Jakic will try and control the possession of the ball. They will look to ensure they dictate the pace of the game. Elvis Rexhbecaj and Ruben Vargas will feature as the two attacking midfielders in behind Phillip Tietz.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Labrovic; Bauer, Gouweleeuw, Schlotterbeck; Wolf, Onyeka, Jakic, Giannoulis; Rexhbecaj, Vargas; Tietz
Key Stats
- RB Leipzig have won 11 out of the last 20 matches against FC Augsburg.
- The visitors are winless in their last 13 outings against Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
- Augsburg last won a league game against Leipzig back in 2017.
- Leipzig are unbeaten in their last 15 matches in the Bundesliga. It is their longest run in the top light.
- The visitors have lost each of their last five away league games.
Player to Watch
Benjamin Sesko
Sesko has been on the wishlist of quite a few top clubs for some time. But he decided to stay at Leipzig for another year. While it has been a decent start to the new season for the 21-year-old Slovenian striker, with two goals and two assists in his six outings, he has not really been at his best in the Bundesliga. So, Sesko will be eager to get his first league when they host Augsburg.
Prediction
RB Leipzig 2-1 Augsburg
Leipzig have been winless in their last three outings in all competitions, and they are not going to find it easy against Augsburg. But the history suggests they tend to get the better of the visitors on most occasions. While it will be a closely fought encounter, eventually Leipzig might come out with all three points. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the home team.
