The Red Bull Arena in Leipzig will be the venue for a highly anticipated Bundesliga match, as fourth-placed RB Leipzig welcomes sixth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.
Both teams are determined to secure a win in this encounter, and it promises to be an exciting game.
Match Preview
RB Leipzig started December with a bang, winning four successive games in all competitions. However, they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen in their final match of the year.
That result saw them drop to fourth place, nine points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen. With a six-point lead over fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig is still well-positioned to challenge for a top-four finish.
On the other hand, Eintracht Frankfurt experienced a mixed end to 2023, suffering successive defeats away against Aberdeen and Leverkusen, before recording a surprise 5-1 home victory over Bayern Munich.
They went on to claim a dramatic 2-1 comeback win against Borussia Monchengladbach in their last match of the year. Frankfurt’s recent form has been unconvincing, with just two wins in their last six matches.
RB Leipzig has been in good form lately, having won four of their last five matches in the Bundesliga. Their only loss during that period came against Stuttgart.
Leipzig has also not lost any of their last 12 home matches in the Bundesliga. However, they have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 competitive games.
Frankfurt, on the other hand, has struggled recently, with just one win in their last six matches in the Bundesliga.
They have lost each of their last four away matches and failed to score a goal in their last three. However, they have won four of their last five Bundesliga matches at the start of a calendar year.
Team News
Leipzig has bid farewell to Emil Forsberg and Timo Werner, while Willi Orban remains sidelined with a knee injury.
The hosts will also miss Amadou Haidara as he is away on international duty with Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations.
However, Dani Olmo could feature for the first time since October after making progress in his recovery from a shoulder injury. New signing Eljif Elmas is in contention to make his debut.
Frankfurt is without Timothy Chandler and Sebastian Rode due to calf injuries, while Fares Chaibi, Omar Marmoush, and Ellyes Skhiri are away representing their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Manchester United loanee Donny van de Beek and striker Sasa Kalajdzic could make their debut for Frankfurt.
Possible Lineups
RB Leipzig: (4-4-2)
Blaswich;
Henrichs, Simakan, Castello, Raum;
Baumgartner, Schlager, Kampl, Simons;
Openda, Poulsen
Eintracht Frankfurt: (4-4-1-1)
Trapp;
Tuta, Koch, Pacho, Max;
Knauff, Gotze, Larsson, Dina Ebimbe;
Van de Beek;
Kalajdzic
Predictio: RB Leipzig 2-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
Both teams have been inconsistent in recent weeks, making it difficult to predict the outcome of the match. Leipzig has the advantage of playing at home, where they have won their last six games, scoring 19 goals in the process.
However, Frankfurt has won four of their last five Bundesliga matches at the start of a calendar year. We predict a narrow win for Leipzig in what promises to be an entertaining encounter.
