Xabi Alonso will be looking for revenge when his Bayer Leverkusen side travel to Red Bull Arena on Saturday to take on RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
Leipzig were held to a 3-3 stalemate by VfL Bochum on January 18 and are in fifth place with 31 points, while the champions are second with 41 points and defeated Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 last Saturday in the league.
Match preview
© Imago
The hosts' collapse against last-placed Bochum was astonishing given they had taken a three-goal lead after just 21 minutes but conceded all three of the shots on target they faced that day.
Manager Marco Rose has come under pressure for his side's struggles since November 2, a period in which his team lost eight, drew two and won five.
Leipzig's defensive frailty in recent weeks is concerning given they have conceded 17 times in their last seven matches.
Die Roten Bullen triumphed 2-1 against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday in the Champions League, but the German side have already been eliminated from Europe.
Rose's side have won just one of their past four games in the Bundesliga – losing two and drawing one – but they still boast a strong home record considering they have achieved victory in 10 of their 15 most recent fixtures in the league at Red Bull Arena, succumbing to defeat just once.
© Imago
Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten streak of 43 domestic matches came to an end when they were beaten 3-2 at home by Leipzig on August 31, 2024.
Alonso's side have not lost a domestic match since that day, and their win against Borussia Monchengladbach ensured that league-leaders Bayern Munich did not extend their four-point advantage at the top of the table.
Die Schwarzroten were beaten 2-1 by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, a result that left them in eighth place in the Champions League table with 13 points, and they only hold the final automatic qualification spot for the round of 16 due to superior goal difference.
Leverkusen have found the back of the net on 15 occasions in their past six games, conceding five goals and keeping two clean sheets.
Though Alonso's team lost last time out, they did win their prior 11 outings in all competitions, beating Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund in that time.
The visitors' form on the road has been largely excellent, with the club undefeated in 25 away matches in the top flight, winning 19 and drawing six.
Team News
© Imago
Leipzig's injury list could soon clear up, though they will still be unable to select striker Andre Silva until early February, but regulars Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda are both available after returning from suspension.
Left-back Benjamin Henrichs has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to an Achilles tendon injury, and this could mean David Raum will continue in defence.
Arthur Vermeeren and Kevin Kampl may start in a double pivot given midfielders Forzan Assan Ouedraogo and Xaver Schlager are not likely to be in the squad on Saturday, though the latter is nearing a comeback.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen forward Amine Adli could return to action in the middle of next month, but Martin Terrier is set to miss the rest of the season.
Expect striker Patrik Schick to be joined in the forward line by Florian Wirtz and Nathan Tella, and the trio may play in front of midfielders Granit Xhaka and Robert Andrich.
Centre-backs Edmond Tapsoba, Johnathan Tah and Piero Hincapie are likely to start in defence considering Jeanuel Belocian is not scheduled to return until September.
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Baku, Klostermann, Orban, Raum; Nusa, Vermeeren, Kampl, Xavi; Sesko, Openda
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Schick, Tella
We say: RB Leipzig 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen
Leipzig could find some success in the final third given their nominal front two are set to return to league action, and their record at home suggests that they will be difficult to overcome.
However, Leverkusen are in fine form and it is hard to see how the hosts can keep their opponents at bay, especially as they have been vulnerable defensively in recent weeks.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
