RB Leipzig vs Schalke 04 Preview & Prediction | 2022-23 German Bundesliga
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THE FACTS
When is RB Leipzig vs Schalke 04 on and what time does it start? RB Leipzig vs Schalke 04 will take place on Saturday 27th May, 2023 – 14:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for RB Leipzig vs Schalke 04? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is RB Leipzig vs Schalke 04 on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for RB Leipzig vs Schalke 04
Where can I stream RB Leipzig vs Schalke 04 in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, RB Leipzig vs Schalke 04 can be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
RB LEIPZIG
Although RB Leipzig cannot win the Bundesliga this season, they have made arguably the biggest impact in terms of the title race, thanks to their incredible victory last weekend. After going behind away to Bayern Munich, the league leaders at the time, it was looking like Marco Rose’s men would fall to defeat after a run of three successive league victories. However, the second half brought a remarkable turnaround. Firstly, Konrad Laimer equalised for RB Leipzig, before they won a penalty, which was converted by Christopher Nkunku to give the visitors a surprise lead. It then got even better for Leipzig, who wrapped up the three points after winning another penalty, this time scored by Dominik Szoboszlai.
In terms of what they have to play for, whilst RB Leipzig can’t advance higher or be removed from their current position in third-place, Marco Rose will want to finish the campaign on a five-win-streak in the Bundesliga and will also be looking to end with a flourish in front of their home support. Although Champions League football has been secured once again for next season, there will be a tinge of regret amid the Leipzig camp for another poor start to the campaign, which ultimately cost them in terms of their title hopes, although it did at least lead to the arrival of Rose following Domenico Tedesco’s removal as head coach.
SCHALKE 04
Whilst a precious point for Schalke 04 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt still leaves them on the brink of automatic relegation, it does at least keep them in with a chance of survival on the last weekend, with only one point currently separating them from both 16th-placed Bochum and 15th-placed Stuttgart. When taking into account their goal difference, these are the only two teams whom Schalke are capable of overtaking on the final day. Bettering Bochum’s result would enough for Schalke to go above them even if it’s just through gaining a draw here, courtesy of a slightly superior goal difference.
It was an action-packed encounter against Eintracht, Simon Terodde putting Schalke ahead in the first minute of the game, before Daichi Kamada drew the visitors level on 21 minutes. Things looked ominous in the second half as Eintracht took the lead for the first time, but Schalke to their huge credit never gave up. Their persistence and desperate was rewarded in the latter stages as Sebastian Polter netted a vital equaliser with five minutes to play. Although they couldn’t kick on to claim a dramatic winner, a point keeps them well in the race to stay up.
THE TEAM NEWS
RB LEIPZIG
Goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi remains the only confirmed absentee for RB Leipzig, having missed most of the season through a knee injury. Timo Werner is suffered from illness recently, but has appeared to have shaken this off, is training with the squad and will be expected to feature from the start in this one. It would be no surprise to see an unchanged side from the one who got the better of Bayern Munich last time out.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-2-2): Blaswich; Henrichs, Orban, Gvardiol, Halstenberg; Laimer, Haidara; Szoboszlai, Olmo; Werner, Nkunku
UNAVAILABLE: Gulacsi (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Werner (Illness)
SCHALKE 04
Schalke 04 goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann is expected to return to the starting line-up for this encounter, whilst the visitors will have to wait to see whether Kenan Karaman is passed fit to play, whether that be from the bench or from the start. Both centre-back Moritz Jenz and experienced striker Simon Terodde are suspended, whilst Justin Heekeren is out injured along with Soichiro Kozuki.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Fahrmann; Brunner, van den Berg, Kaminski, Matriciani; Kral, Krauss; Drexler, Zalazar, Bulter; Polter
UNAVAILABLE: Heekeren (Injured), Jenz (Suspended), Kozuki (Injured), Terodde (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Karaman (Fitness)
THE PREDICTION
Schalke 04 know the size of the task ahead of them and after how RB Leipzig dealt with Bayern Munich, it’ll take an incredible effort from the visitors to get the result they need for survival. Knowing that three points gives them the best chance possible, Schalke 04 will look to push bodies forward and take the game to the hosts, knowing that their chances of keeping Leipzig out at the other end are fairly remote. However, with home advantage in their favour and the sheer class they possess in terms of creativity and forward firepower, RB Leipzig are well worth backing to ultimately outscore Schalke 04 and consign them to relegation.
TIP: RB LEIPZIG TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
