Union Berlin vs RB Leipzig: Preview and Prediction

Following an exit from the UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig are fighting to get back into the competition as they visit Union Berlin on Saturday.

Union Berlin are not having the best of seasons, as they are currently sitting fifth from bottom, but with a soft safety net for the time being. They are currently on a dreadful run of one victory from 12 Bundesliga games. While their latest win against Mainz came on January 19, it did end a torrid streak, with their last victory before that being on October 20.

Steffen Baumgart’s side needs immediate intervention as well as inspiration to arrest their current slump to get as far away as possilbe from the relegation zone. Union Berlin also lost their most recent game against fellow strugglers St. Pauli and did not have any answers to the home side’s three goals. They now host RB Leipzig, as the manager will want a big response from their players.

Marco Rose oversaw a disastrous Champions League campaign as RB Leipzig crashed out of the competition following six losses in as many opening games. They did return to winning ways on Matchday 7 against Sporting CP but once again stuttered on the final game day against Sturm Graz, losing by a 1-0 scoreline away from home.

After seven losses from eight Champions League games for a side usually expected to go into the knockout phase, Rose is extremely fortunate to keep his post at the club. That might also be linked to how well he can do in steering the club back into Champions League contention.

Currently Leipzig are one place off the usual Champions League spots, level on points with fourth-placed VfB Stuttgart. Hence, there is every chance to usurp their rivals with important wins and a good run of form. Currently, Leipzig are winless in their last three Bundesliga outings, including draws against VfL Bochum and Bayer Leverkusen, with the latter result likely to inspire them ahead of their clash with Union Berlin.

Team News & Tactics

Union Berlin

Four other players are deemed as doubtful, although neither of those is expected to make it to the squad either as a starter or as a bench option. Torino will persist with a back three with Kevin Vogt, Diogo Leite and Danilho Doekhi starting in those positions.

Rani Khedira and Aljoscha Kemlein will be the preferred midfield starters, while Christopher Trimmel and Robert Skov will provide the width from those wing-back positions. Jordan Siebatcheu should be leading the line for Union Berlin, with Benedict Hollerbach and Jeong Woo-yeong supporting in the other attacking roles.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Schwolow; Vogt, Leite, Doekhi; Trimmel, Kemlein, Khedira, Skov; Hollerbach, Jeong; Siebatcheu

RB Leipzig

Not much has changed on the injury front for RB Leipzig following their midweek loss in the Champions League. Some players were already missing from action ahead of the Sturm Graz visit, with Forzan Assan Ouedraogo, Kevin Kampl, and Xaver Schlager missing out with fitness issues, meaning Marco Rose will have a similar squad available for the visit to Union Berlin.

Unlike the midweek game when Rose opted for a back-three, the manager might revert to a back-four with Willi Orban and Nicolas Siewald operating centrally, while Lukas Klostermann and David Raum operate in the full-back role.

Amadou Haidara will once again play in midfield alongside Arthur Vermeeren amid the few injuries in that area. Norwegian talent Antonio Nusa and Xavi Simons will provide the width in the 4-4-2, while Lois Openda leads the line alongside the in-demand Benjamin Sesko.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Gulacsi; Klostermann, Orban, Seiwald, Raum; Simons, Haidara, Vermeeren, Nusa; Sesko, Openda

Key Stats

  • Union Berlin have one win in their last 12 Bundesliga games.
  • Union Berlin have failed to win their last 37 games when they have conceded first.
  • RB Leipzig have kept a clean sheet in their last three matches against Union Berlin in all competitions.
  • RB Leipzig are level on points with fourth-placed Stuttgart.

Player to Watch

Benjamin Sesko

Embed from Getty Images

The Slovenian international could yet be a big subject of transfer speculation in the very end period of the transfer window. He remains a target for Arsenal, but for now remains committed to RB Leipzig, and the club will want to see more from the striker.

Sesko has been in a good run of form, and will want to improve his performances from here on. Hence, Marco Rose will hope there are plenty of goals from the 21-year-old striker in the Bundesliga and help the club in their push for the Champions League places.

Prediction

Union Berlin 0-1 RB Leipzig

Union Berlin are the team that many top teams would want to play now for their terrible run of form, as they are the underdogs coming into Saturday’s game. Hence, the likelihood of them getting anything against an otherwise struggling Leipzig side will be seen as difficult.

RB Leipzig are not in a good mood following their UEFA Champions League exit, but they are determined to qualify for the competition next season. They are in the top four race and will see to it that Union Berlin is not a problem, as Marco Rose’s men are expected to win this one on a slender scoreline.

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