Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig meet in an eagerly awaited Bundesliga clash at Westfalenstadion, seeking to bounce back and secure valuable points after their recent fixtures.
Match Preview:
In their most recent DFB-Pokal fixture, Borussia Dortmund endured a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Stuttgart, leading to their elimination from the competition.
This defeat compounded their woes, following a string of injuries suffered during the match. As they prepare for a busy schedule with multiple matches in a short span, Dortmund is looking to regain momentum and climb the Bundesliga table.
Meanwhile, RB Leipzig, after facing consecutive defeats, returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Heidenheim.
With eight wins in their first 13 Bundesliga matches, they have positioned themselves among the top four teams in the league.
However, their recent struggles in away games pose a challenge as they face Dortmund, a team they have bested in their previous encounters.
Form Guide:
Borussia Dortmund:
- Bundesliga form: W-D-L-L-W-D
- All competitions form: W-L-W-W-D-L
RB Leipzig:
- Bundesliga form: W-W-L-W-L-W
- All competitions form: L-W-W-L-L-W
Team News:
Borussia Dortmund:
- Multiple injuries plague Dortmund’s squad, with several players picking up knocks in their midweek loss.
- A return to the 4-2-3-1 formation is expected for Dortmund, with key players like Reus and Malen likely to feature.
RB Leipzig:
- Dani Olmo faces several weeks out due to a shoulder injury, while Orban and Bitshiabu are recovering from knee issues.
- Timo Werner’s availability is uncertain due to a groin problem, while Benjamin Henrichs is likely to retain his place at right-back.
Possible Lineups:
Borussia Dortmund Possible Starting XI: (4-2-3-1)
Kobel;
Sule, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini;
Can, Ozcan;
Adeyemi, Reus, Malen;
Fullkrug
RB Leipzig Possible Starting XI: (4-2-2-2)
Blaswich;
Henrichs, Simakan, Lukeba, Raum;
Haidara, Schlager;
Kampl, Simons;
Poulsen, Openda
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2-4 RB Leipzig
Anticipate a goal-rich contest with Leipzig likely to exploit Dortmund’s recent defensive vulnerabilities.
Despite Dortmund’s strong home record, Leipzig’s refreshed squad and attacking prowess could overpower an injury-hit and struggling Dortmund side.