RB Leipzig vs Hamburg Preview: Team News & Prediction

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RB Leipzig will be favourites here but complacency cannot be afforded against Hamburg.

Kick-off date/time: 18 October 2025 at 2:30 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN

How to watch online: UK – Not streamed / US – ESPN+

RB Leipzig preview: In the top three

In the highly-anticipated battle between them and Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig came away with a hard-earned point following a 1-1 draw. Both goals came early on in the game, Leipzig taking the lead before being pegged back by the hosts. In the end though, Leipzig are likely to be happier with the final outcome.

Next up for Leipzig comes in-form opposition in the form of Hamburg and they cannot afford to take them lightly. Any complacency must be left in the dressing room as the home side bid to extend their unbeaten league streak to six games.

Hamburg preview: Mainz mashing

Hamburg may well have wished that the international break didn’t exist following their excellent performance just prior. A dominant showing saw them dismantle Mainz, winning 4-0 at the Volksparkstadion. They’ve now picked up seven points, with two wins and a draw from their last three matches.

The big question is whether Hamburg can replicate their recent showings following the international break, particularly against sterner opposition such as RB Leipzig. They’ll need to be at their best defensively to have a chance.

RB Leipzig team news: Three out for hosts

RB Leipzig are without the trio of Finkgrafe, Henrichs and Nedeljkovic for this game, two of which are nursing knee injuries, whilst defender Henrichs is a long-term absentee with an Achilles problem.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Haidara, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Bakayoko, Romulo, Nusa

Unavailable: Finkgrafe (Injured), Henrichs (Injured), Nedeljkovic (Injured)

Questionable: 

Hamburg team news: Poulsen hoping for a chance

Signed from RB Leipzig this past summer, striker Yussuf Poulsen will no doubt be desperate for an opportunity to play against his old club and show them what they are missing out on. But after that emphatic win last time out, don’t expect much chance from the visitors.

Predicted XI (3-4-3): Heuer Fernandes; Capaldo, Vuskovic, Elfadli; Mikelbrencis, Lokonga, Remberg, Muheim; Philippe, Poulsen, Dompe

Unavailable: Hefti (Injured), Omari (Injured), Vieira (Suspended)

Questionable: Gocholeishvili (Injured)

RB Leipzig vs Hamburg prediction

As impressive as Hamburg were in their beating of Mainz, for them to get anything away at RB Leipzig would arguably be considered a better achievement. This is an extremely strong Leipzig side who have been on an excellent run since that nightmare opening game against Bayern. Their ability to grind out wins and shut down the opposition cannot be underestimated.

At home against a newly promoted side, you’d expect more dominance across the 90 minutes from Leipzig, certainly more possession and a healthy number of chances created. Any outcome other than victory for them would be seen as a surprise.

RB Leipzig vs Hamburg tip: RB Leipzig to win