Heidenheim vs RB Leipzig Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Sarwar ·
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Heidenheim may have moved off the bottom of the table but to ensure they don’t drop straight back down there, a positive result is needed here at home to RB Leipzig.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN+
Heidenheim preview: Hard-fought point
Heidenheim travelled to Wolfsburg in their last league game, down at the bottom of the table. But a strong defensive performance saw them come away with a well-earned point after taking the lead in the first half and holding it up until the 80th minute. Frank Schmidt’s side then dug in well to hold off the hosts and secure their point.
Mainz’s defeat to FC Cologne ensured Heidenheim moved up one place, but it won’t take long for them to move back down again if they can’t follow that result up in the weeks ahead, including right here.
RB Leipzig preview: Werner’s men continue to frustrate
RB Leipzig are outside the top four at the moment and only have themselves to blame following recent results. Their last four Bundesliga fixtures has seen them pick up just three points, having lost three times against Union Berlin, Bayer Leverkusen and most recently vs Bayern Munich, after they were blown away in a second-half blitz.
Bayern may be expected to thrash many Bundesliga sides right now, but RB Leipzig are better than a 1-5 scoreline suggests, especially after what we saw from them in the first-half. But Vincent Kompany’s men stepped up a gear following the restart and took Leipzig down ruthlessly.
Heidenheim team news: Illness causing doubts
Hoffenheim could be without both Kaufmann and Sirlord Conteh, with both not feeling well ahead of this match. Paqarada and Zivzivadze remain injured.
Predicted XI: (4-3-3): Ramaj; Busch, Mainka, Gimber, Fohrenbach; Niehues, Schoppner, Dorsch; Ibrahimovic, Pieringer, Honsak
Unavailable: C. Conteh (Fitness), Paqarada (Injured), Zivzivadze (Injured)
Questionable: S. Conteh (Illness), Kaufmann (Illness)
RB Leipzig team news: Lukeba joins injured list
Centre-back Castillo Lukeba is ruled out with a knee problem and joins winger Bakayoko on the sidelines. Ouedraogo is also injured and won’t feature here.
Predicted XI: (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Henrichs, Orban, Bitshiabu, Raum; Schlager, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Diomande, Romulo, Nusa
Unavailable: Bakayoko (Injured), Lukeba (Injured), Klostermann (Illness), Ouedraogo (Injured)
Questionable:
Heidenheim vs RB Leipzig prediction
Being at home, Heidenheim won’t be afraid to take the game to RB Leipzig offensively, putting the visitors under pressure, even if it may leave them exposed on the counter-attack. But RB Leipzig boasts better players across the field and that quality is expected to tell as the match goes on, especially with Heidenheim likely to tire.
RB Leipzig simply can’t afford to draw more points and from their point of view, this really is a must-win. They are the stronger team and provided they remain patient and cut out any unenforced errors, the away side should do enough to pick up the victory.
Heidenheim vs RB Leipzig tip: RB Leipzig to win
