Bundesliga | Gameweek 12

Nov 30, 2024 at 2.30pm UK

Red Bull Arena

RB Leipzigvs.Wolfsburg

Match preview

RB Leipzig will be pretty disappointed about losing to Hoffenheim. They were 1-0 up, 2-1 up and 3-2 up before conceding twice from the 82nd minute. That meant they lost the game.

The hosts also lost 1-0 against Italian side Inter Milan on Tuesday in the Champions League. Given their opponents' quality, the result was to be expected, but the loss left the German club in 34th place with no points after five matches.

After the match, boss Marco Rose was honest about the result, saying: "Sometimes it seems like we're lacking in a few areas, even in the last few weeks." I thought we were on our toes today. "But at the moment, it's not enough to get anything worthwhile."

Rose's side have only let in nine goals in the top flight, which is joint second-best in the league. However, they only have the joint eighth-best offensive record in the Bundesliga, having scored 18 times.

Die Roten Bullen are on a bad run. The club lost four and drew one of their last five games, conceding 10 times in that period.

Leipzig have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five home games, but it's worth noting that they've been unbeaten in their past 12 home matches, winning eight times.

Wolfsburg had a rough start to the 2024-25 season, winning just one and losing three of their first five league games.

Since then, the Wolves have won three, drawn two and lost just one top-flight match. In their last game, they beat Union Berlin and didn't let them create any big chances.

Head coach Ralph Hasenhüttl said that his team had worked hard for the win, telling reporters: We're pleased to have beaten a strong, well-organised opponent. It was exactly what we were expecting. "We had to be patient because there weren't many scoring chances."

Hasenhüttl's team has won three and drawn two of their last five games in all competitions, scoring six times and conceding twice, while keeping three clean sheets.

The team is also doing well on the road, with four wins and two losses in their six away games this season. Their only loss was a narrow 4-3 defeat against champions Bayer Leverkusen on September 22.

Recent Performance

RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:WWWLDL

RB Leipzig form (all competitions):WLLDLL

Wolfsburg Bundesliga form:WLDDWW

Wolfsburg form (all competitions):LDWDWW

Team News

There are a few concerns on both sides about player availability. Leipzig can't call on defenders David Raum, El Chadaille Bitshiabu and Lukas Klostermann, so we'll probably see a backline of Lutsharel Geertruida, Willi Orban, Castello Lukeba and Benjamin Henrichs.

It looks like Rose will start with a double pivot in midfield, with Amadou Haidara and Kevin Kampl, since Forzan Assan Ouedraogo and Eljif Elmas won't be available.

Xavi Simons and Yussuf Poulsen will also be out of action, which could mean that strikers Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda will be supported in attack by Antonio Nusa and Christoph Baumgartner.

The visitors also have injury concerns regarding midfielder Aster Vranckx, as well as forwards Bartosz Bialek, Kevin Paredes and Lovro Majer.

Wolfsburg could field a frontline featuring Ridle Baku, Patrick Wimmer, Mohamed El Amine Amoura and Tiago Tomas.

Left-back Rogerio, centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw and goalkeeper Niklas Klinger are all out of action, so perhaps Hasenhüttl will field a back four consisting of Kilian Fischer, Denis Vavro, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Joakim Maehle.

Possible starting lineup

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Gulacsi; Geertruida, Orban, Lukeba, Henrichs; Nusa, Haidara, Kampl, Baumgartner; Sesko, Openda

Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:

Grabara; Fischer, Vavro, Koulierakis, Maehle; Dardai, Arnold; Baku, Wimmer, Amoura; Tomas