Hamburger SV will hope to take down RB Leipzig as the Bundesliga returns after the October international break.
The Red Bull Arena will play host to an intriguing Bundesliga encounter on Saturday afternoon as RB Leipzig aim to extend their flawless home record against a resurgent Hamburger SV.
Leipzig have not suffered defeat since the opening weekend of the season, while newly-promoted Hamburg appear to have finally found their rhythm after a rocky start, winning two of their last three league matches. Both sides enter the clash with confidence, but the gulf in consistency and home form might prove decisive in Saxony.
The start of Ole Werner’s tenure at Leipzig could hardly have been more daunting, an opening day trip to Bayern Munich that ended in a harsh 6-0 defeat. Despite the heavy scoreline, the performance showed glimpses of the attacking identity Werner was keen to instil, and his team have since turned potential into points.
Leipzig responded to that setback in emphatic fashion, going five matches unbeaten and winning four of them, including impressive victories over SC Freiburg, TSG Hoffenheim, and FC Augsburg. Their most recent outing, a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund before the international break, saw Leipzig control large spells of the game, only to be denied by a late equaliser.
Currently sitting third in the Bundesliga table, Leipzig’s resurgence has been built on strong tactical discipline, rapid transitions, and defensive resilience. The Red Bulls also boast a remarkable record against newly promoted sides, remaining unbeaten in all 37 encounters, winning 32 and drawing five.
The Red Bull Arena has been a fortress throughout 2024, with Leipzig suffering just two home defeats in the entire calendar year, to FSV Mainz 05 and VfB Stuttgart last season. Werner will be determined to ensure that record stays intact as his side seek to keep pace with the league leaders.
For Merlin Polzin’s Hamburg, their long-awaited return to the Bundesliga initially seemed destined for frustration. The team went three matches without a goal, enduring painful defeats such as the 2–0 derby loss to St. Pauli and a 5-0 humbling at Bayern Munich. Yet rather than crumble, Hamburg regrouped and rediscovered their confidence in front of goal.
Their recent run, two wins and a draw from their last three fixtures, has lifted spirits around the Volksparkstadion. A particularly impressive 4-0 demolition of Mainz 05 in their previous outing showcased the attacking potential that Polzin has been nurturing, with the team pressing higher and combining fluidly in transition.
That result propelled Hamburg into ninth place, one point above St. Pauli, and offered signs that their top-flight return may finally be stabilising. Still, consistency remains a concern, especially on the road, where they have failed to score in three straight away matches.
Polzin’s immediate challenge will be to break that barren spell at a ground where Hamburg have not played a Bundesliga fixture since 2018. They are also winless in their last four competitive meetings with Leipzig, a streak that underscores the scale of the task facing the visitors. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig manager Ole Werner continues to deal with a handful of injury absentees ahead of Saturday’s clash at the Red Bull Arena. Benjamin Henrichs remains sidelined with a persistent Achilles tendon injury, which has kept him out of action since December 2024. His recovery is progressing steadily, but the versatile full-back is still a few weeks away from returning to full training.
Meanwhile, summer signing Max Finkgrafe is yet to make his debut since arriving from FC Koln. The young defender is still nursing a knee problem sustained during pre-season and is not expected to feature this weekend. In addition, promising teenager Kosta Nedeljkovic is also unavailable due to a lingering knee injury, which has restricted his involvement in recent weeks.
There are no suspensions within the Leipzig camp, and Werner is expected to field a strong side as his team look to maintain their excellent home record. With the international break now behind them, Leipzig will be eager to rediscover the winning touch that briefly eluded them in their 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund.
From a tactical perspective, Werner is expected to stick with his tried-and-tested 4-3-3 formation, designed to maximise fluidity and quick passing transitions. Peter Gulacsi will start in goal, marshalling a defensive line comprising Ridle Baku at right-back, Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba at the heart of defence, and David Raum occupying his familiar left-back role.
In midfield, Assan Ouedraogo will likely operate as the deep-lying playmaker, providing balance and tempo control. He will be flanked by Nicolas Seiwald and Christoph Baumgartner, both of whom bring energy and attacking drive from central areas. Their box-to-box mobility will be crucial in breaking Hamburg’s defensive structure and maintaining Leipzig’s pressing rhythm.
Up front, Johan Bakayoko is expected to start on the right wing, offering pace and directness, while Antonio Nusa will take up position on the left flank, stretching play and providing width. Leading the line will be Romulo, whose intelligent movement and link-up play have been integral to Leipzig’s attacking system under Werner. The trio’s pace, creativity, and positional interchanges will be central to unlocking Hamburg’s compact defensive setup.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Ouedraogo, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Bakayoko, Romulo, Nusa
Hamburger SV
Merlin Polzin faces several selection concerns as his Hamburger SV side prepare for their tough trip to Leipzig. The visitors will once again be without Fabio Vieira, the Arsenal loanee, who remains suspended after receiving a red card against Union Berlin earlier this month. Vieira is serving the final game of his two-match ban and will be available for selection only after this weekend’s fixture. His absence deprives Hamburg of a key creative outlet in midfield, particularly when transitioning from defence to attack.
In addition to suspension issues, Hamburg are also contending with multiple injuries. Central defender Warmed Omari is sidelined with a knee injury that is expected to keep him out until at least January, limiting Polzin’s defensive options. Meanwhile, Silvan Hefti continues his recovery from a hip problem, leaving the team short of depth in the middle of the park.
There are also doubts surrounding Giorgi Gocholeishvili, who suffered a head injury while representing Georgia during the international break. The full-back will undergo a late fitness test but is unlikely to be risked against a high-intensity opponent like Leipzig.
There are no further suspensions in the squad, and Polzin is expected to rely on a familiar core of players who delivered the emphatic 4-0 win over Mainz before the break. The coach has shown tactical flexibility throughout the season but is likely to stick with the 3-4-3 formation, aiming to reinforce defensive stability while offering width in counter-attacking phases.
In goal, Daniel Heuer Fernandes will take his usual place between the posts, supported by a three-man defensive line of Nicolas Capaldo, Luka Vuskovic, and Daniel Elfadli. This trio will be tasked with containing Leipzig’s quick interchanges and denying Romulo space in central areas.
Out wide, William Mikelbrencis and Miro Muheim will operate as wing-backs, providing both defensive cover and attacking width down the flanks. In central midfield, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nicolai Remberg are expected to partner up, combining defensive discipline with forward drive. Their ability to retain possession under pressure will be key in preventing Leipzig from dictating the tempo.
Up front, Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorffer will likely play as the central striker, flanked by Rayan Philippe on the right and Jean-Luc Dompe on the left. The front three will look to exploit spaces behind Leipzig’s full-backs during transitions, with Dompe’s pace and Konigsdorffer’s direct runs providing Hamburg’s main attacking outlets. The challenge, however, will be converting limited chances into tangible threats against one of the most defensively consistent sides in the league.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Fernandes; Capaldo, Vuskovic, Elfadli; Mikelbrencis, Lokonga, Remberg, Muheim; Philippe, Konigsdorffer, Dompe
Key Stats
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RB Leipzig have not lost a single Bundesliga home game this season. In fact, they have suffered only two home defeats in the entire 2024 calendar year, showcasing their formidable strength at the Red Bull Arena.
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Leipzig boast an incredible record against newly-promoted Bundesliga teams, 32 wins and 5 draws from 37 matches, remaining completely unbeaten since their top-flight debut in 2016.
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Hamburger SV have failed to score in their last three away league matches, a worrying trend considering they are facing one of the most disciplined defences in the division.
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The two sides have met four times in competitive fixtures, with Leipzig unbeaten in all of them, winning three and drawing once. The most recent encounter saw Leipzig secure a 4–1 victory in the DFB-Pokal.
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RB Leipzig have conceded just five goals in their last six Bundesliga games, while Hamburg have shipped 11 in the same period, underlining the defensive gulf that could define this matchup.
Player to Watch
Luka Vuskovic
Vuskovic has quickly emerged as one of Hamburger SV’s most exciting young prospects and a central figure in their defensive setup. Signed on loan from Tottenham amid significant attention from top European clubs, the Croatian teenager has handled the demands of Bundesliga football with remarkable maturity. Against a high-powered RB Leipzig attack, his composure and defensive awareness will once again be put to the test.
Vuskovic’s biggest strength lies in his ability to read the game several steps ahead. Standing tall and strong in duels, he rarely dives into tackles rashly, instead using intelligent positioning and anticipation to intercept danger before it develops. His aerial dominance also provides Hamburg with a crucial advantage during set pieces at both ends of the pitch.
Beyond his defensive duties, Vuskovic has shown a growing confidence in possession. Comfortable carrying the ball out from the back and capable of switching play with precision, he offers the type of technical quality that aligns with Merlin Polzin’s progressive system.
Facing Leipzig’s dynamic frontline, featuring the pace of Antonio Nusa and the movement of Romulo, Vuskovic will need to display both tactical discipline and mental focus throughout. A strong showing in this match could further cement his reputation as one of the brightest defensive talents in European football.
Prediction
RB Leipzig 3-1 Hamburger SV
Leipzig’s combination of home dominance, tactical cohesion, and attacking efficiency makes them heavy favourites heading into this tie. Ole Werner’s men have been relentless in transition and clinical in front of goal, while their defensive structure remains one of the league’s most organised.
Hamburg have certainly improved in recent weeks and carry momentum from their big win over Mainz, but facing Leipzig away is an entirely different challenge. Their struggles to score on the road and lack of success in this fixture history point toward another difficult afternoon.
Expect Hamburg to start with energy and defensive discipline, but Leipzig’s superior pace and quality in the final third should eventually make the difference. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Werner and his charges.