RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund: Bundesliga Preview

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RB Leipzig have gone four games without a win (D3, L1), their longest winless run of the season. Marco Rose’s side were held to a goalless draw against Freiburg last weekend, missing key opportunities to secure three points. They currently sit sixth in the Bundesliga, three points behind the top four, and are in desperate need of a turnaround.

Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, are enduring an inconsistent domestic campaign under Niko Kovač. After suffering a 1-0 defeat to Augsburg last weekend, they find themselves 10th in the table. However, they will take confidence from their 2-1 Champions League victory over Lille in midweek, which secured their place in the quarter-finals against Barcelona.

Head-to-Head Record

• Leipzig have won six of the last eight meetings in all competitions (L2).
• Dortmund won the reverse fixture 2-1 in November but have lost all seven Bundesliga matches this season in which they conceded first.
• Leipzig’s 39 points after 25 rounds is their joint-lowest tally at this stage of a Bundesliga season.
• Dortmund have won just two of their last five league matches, conceding first in all three defeats.

Key Stats to Watch

• Leipzig have drawn six games 0-0 this season—only Cologne (nine in 2014/15) have had more in a single campaign.
• Dortmund have won four of their last five away games, scoring eight goals in the process.
• Xavi Simons is set to play his 50th Bundesliga game and has contributed to five goals in his last five home league matches (4G, 1A).
• Maximilian Beier, who scored against Lille, also netted in the reverse fixture against Leipzig.

Team News

RB Leipzig:

• Antonio Nusa (injury) remains out, meaning Xavi Simons and Ridle Baku are expected to support Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda in attack.
• Benjamin Henrichs (injury) is unavailable, with Lutsharel Geertruida and David Raum likely starting in defense.
• Kevin Kampl, Xaver Schlager, and Forzan Assan Ouedraogo are also missing, leaving Amadou Haidara and Arthur Vermeeren as the likely midfield pairing.

Borussia Dortmund:

• Daniel Svensson (injury) is out, so Dortmund’s defense should consist of Julian Ryerson, Nico Schlotterbeck, Emre Can, and Ramy Bensebaini.
• Felix Nmecha (knee injury) remains sidelined, meaning Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Groß could feature in midfield.
• Karim Adeyemi, Julian Brandt, and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens are expected to support Serhou Guirassy up front.

With Leipzig needing to snap their winless streak and Dortmund eager to climb the table, this high-stakes encounter promises an intense battle with plenty on the line.