Bayer Leverkusen will look to keep their Bundesliga winning streak intact when they hit the road to face 5th-placed RB Leipzig.
Defending champions Bayer Leverkusen have revived their league campaign with eight straight wins, and they will be looking to make it nine in a row when they square up against RB Leipzig, who are pushing for a top-four spot.
The home team are fifth on the table with 31 points in their 18 outings. RB Leipzig are just a point behind fourth-placed VfB Stuttgart, and a win over Bayer Leverkusen could do wonders for them.
Having won just one out of their last four league outings, things have not been that great for the home team of late. But, Die Roten Bullen are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 win over Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League, which will surely boost their confidence.
The visitors were on an incredible run in the recent past, but it all collapsed against Atletico Madrid in their last outing as they lost 2-1. But, when it comes to the Bundesliga, Die Werkself have won each of their last eight outings, and they have claimed up to the 2nd spot.
Bayer Leverkusen are just four points behind league leaders Bayern Munich, and they need to keep winning to ensure they maintain the pressure on them. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
RB Leipzig
The home team will be without the services of Andre Silva, Benjamin Henrichs, Forzan Assan Ouedraogo, and Xaver Schlager. Meanwhile, Marco Rose does have a boost, as Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda are both back available after serving a suspension.
RB Leipzig will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, where Peter Gulacsi will be in goal. Ridle Baku and David Raum will feature as the full-backs, while Willi Orban will partner with Lukas Klostermann in the heart of the defence.
Antonio Nusa and Xavi Simons will feature out wide on the flanks, while Arthur Vermeeren and Kevin Kampl will feature in a more central role. The quartet will look to control the tempo and create chances for the front two of Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Gulacsi; Baku, Klostermann, Orban, Raum; Nusa, Vermeeren, Kampl, Xavi; Sesko, Openda
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen will be without the services of Martin Terrier, Jeanuel Belocian and Amine Adli against RB Leipzig. Apart from the trio, everyone else is expected to be available for selection.
Xabi Alonso’s team will line up in a 3-4-3 formation, where Lukas Hradecky will continue in goal. The back three will be made up of Jonathan Tah, Edmond Tapsoba, and Piero Hincapie.
The trio will look to keep things tight at the back, and they will receive significant support from Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo who will feature as wing-backs. In the centre of the park, Granit Xhaka will pair up with Robert Andrich. Florian Wirtz and Nathan Tella should provide width to their attacks while Patrik Schick should lead the line for Bayer Leverkusen against RB Leipzig.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Schick, Tella
Key Stats
- RB Leipzig have won eight out of the last 17 matches against Bayer Leverkusen, who have only won five of those fixtures.
- Xabi Alonso’s team have won three out of the last four league games against RB Leipzig.
- The home team have accumulated 31 points in their 18 outings which is their worst in the league since the 2021/22 season.
- Bayer Leverkusen have been unbeaten in their last 25 away league games setting a club record.
- Xabi Alonso’s team have won each of their last eight league games.
Player to Watch
Florian Wirtz
Prediction
RB Leipzig 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen are heading into this fixture against RB Leipzig on the back of eight straight league wins, and they have been more dominant than the home side in the ongoing season.
However, they might not be able to maintain their winning streak. The hosts have enough quality in their ranks to trouble the visitors, and they might manage to secure a point here. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-2 draw between Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig.
