RB Leipzig vs Heidenheim Preview: Team News & Prediction
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On the back of their stunning 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich, how well RB Leipzig respond against lowly Heidenheim?
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Not streamed / US – ESPN+
RB Leipzig preview: Massacre in Munich
RB Leipzig were left stunned on opening night by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, who carved them open at will from the first whistle. After Bayern opened the scoring in the 27th minute through Michael Olise, the floodgates then began to open as the visitors failed to contain wave-upon-wave of Bayern pressure.
Leipzig did have a goal ruled out in the second half, but that only served to anger the champions, who ran riot with a Harry Kane hat-trick. In the end, Vincent Kompany’s men walloped Leipzig by six goals to nil, leaving them rock bottom of the table.
Heidenheim preview: Another tough fight ahead
Heidenheim stayed up last season courtesy of winning the relegation play-off and all signs suggest after one match that it will be a struggle for them again this year. Frank Schmidt’s side began the new campaign with a 1-3 defeat at home to Wolfsburg, a match in which they managed just two shots on target.
Despite equalising less than ten minutes after conceding the opening goal, Heidenheim were second best throughout and Wolfsburg eventually scored twice more in the second half to finish off the hosts.
RB Leipzig team news: Simons unlikely to play
With rumours of his departure to the Premier League getting louder by the day, attacking midfielder Xavi Simons is unlikely take part such is the obvious risk of him getting injured. Christoph Baumgartner could step in.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Seiwald, Schlager, Baumgartner; Bakayoko, Openda, Nusa
Unavailable: Gomis (Injured), Haidara (Injured), Henrichs (Injured), Klostermann (Injured)
Questionable: Maksimovic (Injured), Xavi Simons (Transfer Interest)
Heidenheim team news: Fohrenbach concussed
Concussion suffered by Jonas Fohrenbach last weekend is likely to rule out the left-back, whilst Marvin Pieringer, Frank Feller and Thomas Keller all remain missing due to their respective injuries.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Ramaj; Mainka, Gimber, Siersleben; Busch, Dorsch, Schoppner, Paqarada; Scienza, Zivzivadze, Ibrahimovic
Unavailable: Feller (Injured), Keller (Injured), Pieringer (Injured)
Questionable: Fohrenbach (Injured)
RB Leipzig vs Heidenheim prediction
Whilst RB Leipzig won’t face opposition of Bayern Munich’s every week, the manner and margin of their defeat will have hurt greatly and anything less than a strong reaction at home would pile some early pressure onto Ole Werner. Even if the hosts wind up without Xavi Simons, they should have more than enough creativity within their squad to create plenty of goalscoring opportunities across this encounter.
The visitors have their work cut out for them against an opponent baying for blood. Expect a long afternoon for Heidenheim and if they were to get anything out of it, their fans would be delighted. The reality though, is that Leipzig should win comfortably so back the hosts by at least two clear goals.
RB Leipzig vs Heidenheim tip: RB Leipzig to win with -1 handicap
