RB Leipzig will aim to maintain their strong domestic form and challenge Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich when they host Freiburg at the Red Bull Arena this Saturday.
Marco Rose’s side sits second in the table with 17 points, level with Bayern Munich, while Freiburg trail by just two points in third place, making this an important match for both teams.
Match Preview:
Leipzig’s recent form in the Bundesliga has been impressive, although they are coming off a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League.
Despite controlling large portions of the match, Leipzig remain winless in their European campaign, sitting 31st in the competition’s table with no points from their first three fixtures.
However, Marco Rose will be encouraged by his side’s domestic form. In their last Bundesliga outing, Leipzig dominated Mainz 05 with a comfortable 2-0 victory, limiting their opponents to zero big chances while creating two of their own.
Defensively, Leipzig boasts the best record in the league, having conceded only two goals in seven matches, though their 11 goals scored pale compared to Bayern’s 24.
Leipzig has won three of their last five games in all competitions but has struggled at home recently, losing their last two fixtures at the Red Bull Arena. However, they remain unbeaten in their last 10 Bundesliga home games, winning seven.
Freiburg, on the other hand, arrive in strong form, having secured a 3-1 win over Augsburg last weekend. Manager Julian Schuster’s side took control early, going up 3-0 by halftime.
Freiburg’s start to the season has been one of their best in history, winning four of their last five Bundesliga games.
Their recent away form has also been solid, with Freiburg winning their last two league matches on the road, both with clean sheets. However, prior to this streak, they had struggled, drawing one and losing two of their earlier away matches.
Team News:
Leipzig face several injury concerns heading into Saturday’s clash. Xaver Schlager and David Raum are not expected back until January and December, respectively.
Forzan Assan Ouedraogo and Nicolas Seiwald are also sidelined, while Xavi Simons, who was forced off against Liverpool, may be out until mid-November.
Christoph Baumgartner could step in to replace Simons, while Benjamin Henrichs, Castello Lukeba, Willi Orban, and Lutsharel Geertruida may form Leipzig’s back four.
For Freiburg, defender Kenneth Schmidt will miss the match until mid-November, but Manuel Gulde could return early next month.
Midfielders Daniel-Kofi Kyereh and Merlin Rohl are also unavailable, likely giving Maximilian Eggestein and Patrick Osterhage a chance to start in midfield.
Freiburg’s lineup could see Chukwubuike Adamu leading the attack, supported by Vincenzo Grifo, Ritsu Doan, and Eren Dinkci.
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Henrichs, Lukeba, Orban, Geertruida; Haidara, Kampl, Nusa, Baumgartner; Sesko, Openda
Freiburg possible starting lineup:
Atubolu; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Günter; Eggestein, Osterhage; Doan, Dinkci, Grifo; Adamu
Prediction:
Although Freiburg are coming off a win, their creative numbers in the Augsburg game were not as strong, and they may find it difficult to break down Leipzig’s strong defense.
However, with Leipzig coming off a tiring midweek fixture against Liverpool, this Bundesliga clash is likely to be closely contested.
Prediction: Leipzig 1-1 Freiburg
