RB Leipzig will hope to put pressure on Bayern Munich as they welcome Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
Saturday evening football in the Bundesliga brings a compelling matchup as RB Leipzig welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the Red Bull Arena, with both teams aiming to correct recent stumbles and build momentum heading into the winter phase of the season.
Leipzig enter the weekend positioned as Bayern Munich’s closest challengers, though their grip on second place has loosened slightly in recent weeks. A sequence of dropped points, four from their last three league matches, has slowed their previously strong march through the campaign. A defeat to Hoffenheim and a frustrating goalless draw with Borussia Monchengladbach exposed a dip in rhythm, and with Bayern showing little sign of slowing down, Leipzig’s margin for error is minimal.
Still, Ole Werner’s side remain one of the Bundesliga’s most complete outfits, boasting eight wins from 12 games while delivering 22 goals, the third-best tally in the division. Their defensive structure has also been a standout feature, with just 13 goals conceded, a total bettered only by the league’s elite. Crucially, Leipzig’s lack of European commitments this season has offered them stability and focus, allowing Werner to maintain a fresher squad while direct rivals juggle continental burdens.
The same benefit does not apply to Eintracht Frankfurt, who continue to battle the demands of a crowded schedule. Dino Toppmoller’s side have struggled for consistency, balancing moments of incisive attacking play with periods of defensive fragility. Their last ten fixtures outline this clearly: three wins, three defeats, and performances fluctuating from convincing to concerning.
After back-to-back Bundesliga victories over Mainz and FC Koln, Frankfurt appeared to be finding their stride. However, a humbling 3-0 Champions League defeat against Atalanta and a 1-1 draw with Wolfsburg halted their momentum. Their offensive firepower, 28 goals in 12 games, remains one of the most explosive in the league, driven by fluid forward rotations and fast attacking transitions.
Yet, their defensive record tells another story entirely: 23 goals conceded, making theirs one of the Bundesliga’s most vulnerable backlines. With RB Leipzig chasing Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt hunting Champions League places, both sides carry high stakes into what promises to be an intense and tactically intriguing encounter. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig enter the weekend with their title push complicated by a growing injury list that has stretched Ole Werner’s squad depth. Ridle Baku, who has been one of RB Leipzig’s most dynamic performers in recent weeks, is sidelined with an ankle injury. His absence removes a key outlet on the right flank.
Defensive options are also weakened, with El Chadaille Bitshiabu nursing a muscle problem and Benjamin Henrichs still recovering from a long-term Achilles tendon issue. Both full-backs have been unavailable for several weeks and remain doubts for the remainder of the year.
In attack, Leipzig are particularly short-handed. Timo Werner is ruled out with a muscle injury just as he seemed close to rediscovering form. Meanwhile, young forwards Assan Ouedraogo and Romulo, both of whom had contributed important goals and assists earlier in the campaign, have recently joined the injury list. Their absence forces Leipzig into a narrower pool of attacking options during a crucial period of the season.
Leipzig are expected to line up in their familiar 4-3-3 formation, with Peter Gulacsi starting in goal. The back four should feature Lukas Klostermann at right-back, Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba forming the central defensive pairing, and David Raum operating from left-back, where he will be tasked with providing width and delivery in the final third.
In midfield, Xaver Schlager is likely to anchor the trio, offering defensive coverage and ball progression. Nicolas Seiwald will operate as the box-to-box presence, while Christoph Baumgartner takes on the more advanced creative role, linking midfield with attack.
The front three should see Yan Diomande deployed on the wing, cutting inside to combine with midfield runners. Benjamin Harder is expected to operate centrally as the striker, with Antonio Nusa occupying the other flank, where his pace and direct dribbling will be key to stretching Frankfurt’s vulnerable defence.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Klostermann, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Schlager, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Diomande, Harder, Nusa
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt enter this difficult away fixture against RB Leipzig with a couple of notable absentees that could impact their attacking fluidity. Jonathan Burkardt remains sidelined with an injury that has disrupted his rhythm since joining the club. His absence removes a valuable option in the forward line, particularly given Frankfurt’s reliance on rotational movement and pace in transition.
There is also significant doubt surrounding Can Uzun, who has not featured since the disappointing draw against Heidenheim. The young attacker is still working toward full fitness, and unless he makes a late recovery, he is unlikely to play a role on Saturday. The rest of the squad is available, with no suspensions reported, though Dino Toppmoller may opt to rotate lightly due to recent fixture congestion.
Frankfurt are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Michael Zetterer taking his place between the posts. The defensive line should see Rasmus Kristensen at right-back, offering stability and overlapping support, while Robin Koch and Arthur Theate form a robust central defensive pairing. Nathaniel Brown is likely to start at left-back, tasked with both defensive discipline and supporting wide buildup play.
In midfield, Mahmoud Dahoud will anchor the double pivot, dictating tempo and helping progress possession from deep. Alongside him, Fares Chaibi will operate as a dynamic box-to-box presence, providing ball-carrying ability and defensive coverage.
The attacking midfield trio should feature Ritsu Doan on the right wing, bringing creativity and diagonal movement, while Mario Gotze assumes the central No. 10 role, where his intelligence and link play remain vital. On the left, Jean-Matteo Bahoya offers direct dribbling and inside runs to complement Frankfurt’s transitional threats.
Up front, Ansgar Knauff is expected to lead the line for Eintracht Frankfurt against RB Leipzig as the lone striker, providing mobility, pressing intensity, and the ability to exploit Leipzig’s high defensive line with his pace.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Zetterer; Kristensen, Koch, Theate, Brown; Dahoud, Chaibi; Doan, Gotze, Bahoya; Knauff
Key Stats
- RB Leipzig have lost just one of their last 18 Bundesliga home matches, making the Red Bull Arena one of the most difficult away grounds in the league.
- Eintracht Frankfurt have conceded 23 goals in 12 league games, giving them one of the four worst defensive records in the Bundesliga this season.
- RB Leipzig have dropped points in two of their last three Bundesliga matches, collecting just 4 out of 9 possible points.
- Despite inconsistency, Eintracht Frankfurt have scored 28 goals in 12 league games, averaging over 2.3 goals per match, the third-best attacking output in the Bundesliga.
- RB Leipzig have lost only one of their last eight Bundesliga meetings with Eintracht Frankfurt at home.
Player to Watch
Robin Koch
Robin Koch will be a central figure for Eintracht Frankfurt in this difficult trip to the Red Bull Arena. As one of the most experienced defenders in Dino Toppmoller’s squad, Koch’s leadership, composure, and reading of the game will be essential against Leipzig’s explosive front line.
The German centre-back has been Frankfurt’s most reliable defensive presence this season, often acting as the organiser at the back. His ability to win aerial duels, step out aggressively to intercept passes, and maintain structure under pressure will be crucial, especially considering Frankfurt’s inconsistency and their tendency to concede in transition.
Facing a Leipzig side that thrives on fast combinations, wide overloads, and sharp vertical attacks, Koch’s decision-making will be under constant examination. If Eintracht Frankfurt are to leave Leipzig with anything, Robin Koch will almost certainly have to deliver one of his best performances of the season.
Prediction
RB Leipzig 3-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
RB Leipzig come into this fixture as the more complete and cohesive side, despite their injury troubles. Ole Werner’s men have shown strong structure, control in possession, and the ability to create chances from multiple areas of the pitch. Their home form has also been one of the most reliable in the Bundesliga.
Eintracht Frankfurt, meanwhile, remain unpredictable. While they are always capable of scoring, their defensive fragility has been a persistent issue, and facing Leipzig’s quick, dynamic attack is likely to expose those weaknesses. Frankfurt are also missing key players in attacking areas, further reducing their threat in transitions, one of their usual strengths.
Leipzig’s midfield depth and pressing organisation should give them the upper hand, allowing them to dictate the game and create sustained pressure.
