Interim boss Zsolt Low will be looking to guide RB Leipzig to the final of the DFB-Pokal with a win over hosts VfB Stuttgart.
VfB Stuttgart will look to bring an end to their six-match winless run when they host RB Leipzig for the semi-final of the DFB-Pokal. The visitors will also be looking to return to winning ways, having suffered a defeat in their last outing.
The home team are 11th in the league with just 37 points in their 27 outings. While it has been a disappointing campaign, they can completely turn things around with a win in this fixture. Having failed to win any of their last six games across competitions, Stuttgart are not in the best of forms, and they won’t find it easy against Leipzig.
The visitors are sixth in the Bundesliga, three points behind fourth-placed FSV Mainz 05. It has been a disappointing campaign for them, and it even led to the departure of Marco Rose a few days ago. But RB Leipzig can still turn things around by clinching the DFB-Pokal cup under interim boss Zsolt Low.
The former assistan to Thomas Tuchel certainly has a difficult task at hand as he takes over a team that has only won three out of their last 11 games across competitions and are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Borussia Monchengladbach. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
VfB Stuttgart
The home team will be without the services of Dan-Axel Zagadou, Josha Vagnoman and Justin Diehl. Despite the absence of the trio, VfB Stuttgart do have some quality options in their squad ahead of the game against RB Leipzig.
Stuttgart will go ahead with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Alexander Nubel will be in goal. In the heart of the defence, Ameen Al-Dakhil will partner with Jeff Chabot. Meanwhile, Finn Jeltsch and Maximilian Mittelstadt will feature on the flanks.
In the centre of the park, Atakan Karazor will partner with Angelo Stiller. The duo will try to shield the backline and control the tempo of the game. Enzo Millot and Chris Fuhrich will provide the much-needed width to their attacks, while Deniz Undav will take up the no. 10 role. Nick Woltemade should lead the line for VfB Stuttgart against RB Leipzig.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Nubel; Jeltsch, Al-Dakhil, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Karazor, Stiller; Millot, Undav, Fuhrich; Woltemade
RB Leipzig
The visitors will be without Benjamin Henrichs, while Peter Gulacsi, who is ill, could also miss out. Zsolt Low could go ahead with the 4-4-2 formation. Maarten Vandevoordt should continue in goal as he has been their preferred choice in the cup competition.
Lutsharel Geertruida and David Raum could be the full-backs for RB Leipzig against VfB Stuttgart, while Willi Orban should partner Castello Lukeba in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Nicolas Seiwald will partner with Arthur Vermeeren. The duo will look to control the tempo and ensure they dominate the ball. Ridle Baku and Xavi Simons will feature on the flanks, providing width to their attacks and support to the full-backs. In the final third of the pitch, Benjamin Sesko will pair up with Lois Openda.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Vandevoordt; Geertruida, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Baku, Seiwald, Vermeeren, Xavi; Openda, Sesko
Key Stats
- In the previous meeting between RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart, the home team secured a 2-1 win.
- VfB Stuttgart have failed to win any of their last six games across competitions (4 defeats).
- Zsolt Low’s team have lost eight out of their last 13 away games while winning just once.
- VfB Stuttgart have only won one out of their last six home games. Their only win came in the DFB-Pokal against Augsburg.
- RB Leipzig have won just three out of their last 11 games across competitions.
Player to Watch
Xavi Simons
While RB Leipzig have not had the best of seasons, Simons has been one of their standout performers. The 21-year-old has featured in a total of 26 matches across competitions and has contributed towards 13 goals. If they are to reach the DFB-Pokal final, the Dutch international will need to step up and make a decisive impact.
Prediction
VfB Stuttgart 1-2 RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig might not be in their best form, but they have enough quality to edge past a struggling Stuttgart side. Despite their poor run, the home team could make things interesting. It will certainly be a closely fought encounter. However, RB Leipzig’s superior squad depth and attacking firepower should see them through to the DFB-Pokal final. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the visitors.