RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund lock horns at Red Bull Arena on Saturday in a crucial Bundesliga encounter with Champions League qualification implications.
Leipzig, currently sixth with 39 points, are just three points away from the top four, while Dortmund, sitting in tenth with 35 points, need a win to stay in the European race.
RB Leipzig: Looking for Consistency in Attack
Leipzig’s recent performances have been defined by inconsistency, particularly in front of goal. Their goalless draw against Freiburg last weekend highlighted their struggles in converting chances, as Benjamin Sesko and Castello Lukeba missed key opportunities. Over their last eight matches, Leipzig have failed to score in four, underscoring their attacking issues.
Despite this, Marco Rose’s men remain a strong force at home, with five wins from their last eight games at Red Bull Arena. However, their form across all competitions has been patchy, winning just three of their last 12 matches. Their last Bundesliga meeting with Dortmund ended in a 2-1 defeat, a game where Leipzig failed to create any big chances. A win here would not only boost their Champions League hopes but also restore confidence in their attacking play.
Borussia Dortmund: Searching for Momentum
Dortmund’s recent league form has been unpredictable, as seen in their shocking 1-0 defeat to Augsburg, where they dominated possession but conceded from the only shot on target. Despite this setback, they bounced back in midweek with a 2-1 win over Lille in the Champions League, securing a quarter-final showdown with Barcelona.
Under Niko Kovac, Dortmund have shown signs of improvement, winning three of their last six matches in all competitions. Their away form has also been promising, with four victories in their last five road games, including impressive wins against top-half opponents. However, inconsistency in the Bundesliga remains an issue, and with Leipzig pushing for a top-four finish, this clash presents a real test of their resilience.
Team News
Leipzig will be without forward Antonio Nusa, meaning Xavi Simons and Ridle Baku are expected to flank the attacking duo of Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda. In midfield, Amadou Haidara and Arthur Vermeeren are likely to feature, with Forzan Assan Ouedraogo, Kevin Kampl, and Xaver Schlager all ruled out. The defensive line will be without Benjamin Henrichs, so Lutsharel Geertruida and David Raum are expected to start.
Dortmund, on the other hand, will be missing defender Daniel Svensson, which should see Julian Ryerson, Emre Can, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Ramy Bensebaini form the backline. Felix Nmecha’s absence means Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Gross are likely to start in midfield. Up front, Karim Adeyemi, Julian Brandt, and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens are set to support striker Serhou Guirassy.
Predicted Line-ups
RB Leipzig possible starting XI:
Gulacsi; Geertruida, Orban, Bitshiabu, Raum; Baku, Haidara, Vermeeren, Xavi; Sesko, Openda
Borussia Dortmund possible starting XI:
Kobel; Ryerson, Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Sabitzer, Gross; Adeyemi, Brandt, Gittens; Guirassy
