RB Leipzig vs Borussia Monchengladbach Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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This is a fascinating encounter on the opening day of the 2026-27 Bundesliga season as RB Leipzig take on Borussia Monchengladbach at the Red Bull Arena.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – ESPN+
RB Leipzig preview: Strong Leipzig
RB Leipzig revamped their organisation in the summer of 2025 and that helped them massively improve again last year, launching themselves to finish third and qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
They have since appointed Martin Demichelis, who oversaw the relegation of Real Mallorca from La Liga last season, and sold key man Yan Diomande to Real Madrid - leading to some scepticism of how they will fare this season.
Borussia Monchengladbach preview: Need to improve
Borussia Monchengladbach finished the 2025-26 Bundesliga campaign in the bottom-half of the table but they did improve towards the back end of the campaign after the appointment of Eugen Polanski.
Over the summer transfer window, Gladbach have been forced to be circumspect with their biggest signing being that of Isac Lindberg from second-tier outfit Darmstadt for a fee believed to be in the region of a couple of million euros.
RB Leipzig team news: Several doubts
Leipzig are dealing with several doubts for this one, including new signings Orjan Nyland and Maxime Esteve, with key attackers Christoph Baumgartner and Romulo also issues.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Vandevoordt; Bitshiabu, Orban, Lukeba; Baku, Reitz, Seiwald, Raum; Bakayoko, Harder, Gruda
Unavailable: Ouedraogo (Injured), Baumgartner (Injured)
Questionable: Nyland (Injured), Esteve (Injured), Klostermann (Injured), Kone (Injured), Gebel (Injured), Romulo (Injured)
Borussia Monchengladbach team news: Key issues
Borussia Monchengladbach head to Leipzig without South Korea international Jens Castrop, while fellow key men Fabio Chiarodia and Tomas Cvancara remain doubtful, too.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Nicolas; Hashioka, Diks, Itakura, Ullrich; Leopold, Neuhaus; Lidberg, Honorat, Machino; Kleindienst
Unavailable: Konoplya (Injured), Castrop (Injured)
Questionable: Chiarodia (Injured), Uno (Fitness), Cvancara (Injured)
RB Leipzig vs Borussia Monchengladbach prediction
The fact that Borussia Monchengladbach have seemingly stood still and done little in the market is a bit surprising given their summer began with the controversial but still relatively big money departure of key man Rocco Reitz to their opening day opponents Leipzig. Leipzig are expected to come out on top here but they may not be at their most fluent as Demichelis attempts to impose his ideas on his squad.
RB Leipzig vs Borussia Monchengladbach tip: RB Leipzig to win & under 3.5 goals
