RB Leipzig vs Hamburg Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Sarwar ·
Updated
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RB Leipzig are already under pressure after falling to defeat away at Werder Bremen, whilst Hamburg sits rock-bottom of the table following a nightmare start.
Kick-off date/time:
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RB Leipzig preview: Down to earth
RB Leipzig were comfortable winners on the opening round but it was quite the opposite story last weekend. Following a nightmare start away to Werder Bremen which saw them concede inside the opening five minutes, Martin Demichelis’ side never quite recovered, ultimately losing 3-1 as they paid the price for having to commit multiple bodies forward and leave themselves exposed at the back.
Since then, it’s gotten even worse for Demichelis and his players, having been taken down emphatically by Como in the Champions League. Once again, Leipzig were victims of an awful start and they went in at half-time two goals down. In the end, it finished 4-1 to the Serie A side to cap off a nightmare week for the Germans.
Hamburg preview: Home horrors
Hamburg were not expected to come away with anything away to a strong Borussia Dortmund side on the opening weekend. However, hopes will have been high at the Volksparkstadion that they could kick-start their season by putting points on the board. Unfortunately for them, the opposite occurred as Hamburg were ruthlessly taken down by Mainz.
A brutally clinical visiting side left Hamburg reeling as they could not deal with the attacking threat of Becker and Tietz. That doesn’t bode well for them here against the likes of Nusa and defensively, Hamburg need to find solutions quickly with their goal difference having taken a beating.
RB Leipzig team news: Midfield misses
Both Baumgartner and Reitz being out is a blow to RB Leipzig’s central midfield and they’ll hope that Ouedraogo shakes off a shoulder injury in time to play.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Vandevoordt; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; El Aynaoui, Seiwald, Ouedraogo; Gruda, Nkunku, Nusa
Unavailable: Baumgartner (Injured), Gebel (Injured), Klostermann (Injured), Reitz (Injured)
Questionable: Ouedraogo (Injured), Romulo (Injured)
Hamburg team news: Number of doubts
Pherai is struggling with illness, whilst Bornauw, Muheim and Omari are all battling to prove their fitness for this game.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Heuer Fernandes; Capaldo, Torunarigha, Nandja; El Ouahdi, Lokonga, Remberg, Moller Wolfe; Jatta, Daka, Gronbaek
Unavailable: Dickes (shoulder), Rossing-Lelesiit (ankle)
Questionable: Bornauw (Injured), Muheim (Injured), Omari (Injured), Pherai (Ill)
RB Leipzig vs Hamburg prediction
RB Leipzig will no doubt be happy to return home and against bottom of the league as well. Expect them to impose themselves on Hamburg early on, knowing that the first goal could easily trigger more against a team lacking confidence and quality. The hosts will no doubt still be smarting after that loss last weekend, so complacency shouldn’t be an issue.
Whilst it won’t be straightforward when considering the opponent will likely put plenty of bodies behind the ball, RB Leipzig should fashion enough opportunities to score multiple times and over the course of 90 minutes, are certainly worth backing to triumph by at least two clear goals as they did against Borussia Monchengladbach.
RB Leipzig vs Hamburg tip: RB Leipzig to win with -1 handicap
