RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Borussia Dortmund begin the biggest week of their season with a difficult away trip to an underachieving RB Leipzig
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – ESPN+
RB Leipzig preview: Chasing Champions League
A frustrating 2-2 draw at home against Wolfsburg last weekend leaves RB Leipzig still outside of the bottom four and with lots of work to do when it comes to catching the likes of Dortmund, who are currently a whopping 11 points better off in the table. Keeping clean sheets has not proven easy and they are without one in their last four league matches.
It’s been the home results recently that have proven so damaging from a Leipzig perspective. Their last two fixtures in front of their own fans should’ve been victories on paper against Wolfsburg and Mainz respectively, but ended with Leipzig picking up just a single point, which is not good enough.
Borussia Dortmund preview: Looking for lucky seven
Since drawing 3-3 with Eintracht Frankfurt, it’s been plain sailing for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, winning their next six games to slowly but surely close the gap on league leaders Bayern Munich. With the two clubs meeting next weekend, it’s absolutely vital that Niko Kovac’s side go into that game with momentum behind them.
Despite losing their final two league phase fixtures in the Champions League, Dortmund bounced back a few days ago, defeating Atalanta 2-0 in the first-leg of their knockout phase play-off encounter, leaving the German giants in pole position to qualify for the round of 16. But now all the focus is on domestic matters.
RB Leipzig team news: No first-choice keeper
With goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi missing for the hosts through injury, RB Leipzig will field Maarten Vandevoordt between the posts as Gulacsi joins the likes of Nedeljkovic and Ouedraogo on the sidelines.
Predicted XI: (4-3-3): Vandevoordt; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Schlager, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Diomande, Romulo, Nusa
Unavailable: Gulacsi (Injured), Nedeljkovic (Injured), Ouedraogo (Injured), Sani (Injured)
Questionable:
Borussia Dortmund team news: Centre-back shortage
Dortmund will need other defenders to step up with Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Sule both out injured. Reggiani should therefore play in the back three alongside Anton and Bensebaini.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Kobel; Reggiani, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson; Brandt, Guirassy, Beier
Unavailable:
Questionable:
RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund prediction
Things have really clicked of late for Borussia Dortmund and provided they play without fear in this match, the visitors are more capable of picking up what would be one of their biggest wins of the season when you take into account where they are in the table and how hard they’ve worked already to close the gap on Bayern Munich.
RB Leipzig could benefit here from playing against better opposition who are not likely to sit behind the ball for long periods of time, which could potentially open things up for the hosts. However, their home form has been bad and they are running into a freight train who offer not just potency in attack, but also solidary at the back. Therefore, back Borussia Dortmund via the safety of the double chance market.
RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund tip: Double chance - draw/Borussia Dortmund
