Ascendants Leverkusen will host third-placed RB Leipzig on Sunday at the BayArena, with kick-off slated for 15:30 GMT.
Key Highlights
Leverkusen’s Scintillating Form Bolstering their Late Top-Four Push
Xabi Alonso’s men have won the last five matches in the Bundesliga. This run of form has brought them to within 8 points of the top four with seven matches to play in the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen will look to maintain their form in the run-in, including their home clash against Leipzig, allowing them to take advantage of any slip-ups of the teams above them.
Although a top-four finish has long odds, Xabi’s men are in such good form that they will be dreaming of the possibilities in the season’s final matches, starting with their home match against the team sitting third on the table – RB Leipzig.
Leipzig’s Inconsistency Threatening their Top-Four Hopes
Marco Rose and his men have nee inconsistent in the Bundesliga in recent matches. In their last five outings in the league, Leipzig have won three times and lost twice. This run of form has seen their league challenge fade away and their stranglehold on the top four loosen.
They are currently on 51 points, level within fourth-placed Union Berlin. They will be looking to win at Leverkusen to bolster their chances of getting Champions League football next season.
Injury Report
Leverkusen
On Sunday, Xabi Alonso will be without goalkeeper Andrey Lunev in the home match against RB Leipzig. The 31-year-old has been out with a back injury since January 23, 2023. The shot-stopper has missed 16 matches for Leverkusen so far since he has been out of action.
Leverkusen will also miss the services of center-forward Patrik Schick. The forward is dealing with adductor problems that have kept him out of action since March 11, 2023. The attacker has missed six matches for Xabi’s men and is unlikely to be available for selection in the clash against Leipzig.
Leipzig
Marco Rose will have to deal with the absences of up to four first-team players ahead of an important away match at Leverkusen with top-four implications.
Goalkeeper Peter Gulasci is a long-term absentee for Rose; the 32-year-old is recovering from a ruptured cruciate ligament he suffered on October 6, 2022. The shot-stopper has missed 28 matches for Leipzig, and no return date has been set.
Striker Christopher Nkunku is out with a torn muscle fiber. The France international has been out of action since March 4, 2023, and has missed seven matches for Leipzig in the latest sting out of action in an injury-ravaged season. No date has been set for the return to fitness of the 25-year-old.
Leipzig will also be without central midfielder Xaver Schlager, with the 25-year-old sidelined with a syndesmotic ligament tear since March 4, 2023. Goalkeeper Timo Schlieck is also out with a meniscal injury since Jaguar 2, 2023.
Possible Lineups
Leverkusen
L. Hradecky; E. Tapsoba, J. Tah, P. Hincapie; J. Frimpong, E. Palacios, R. Andrich, M. Bakker; M. Diaby, F. Wirtz, A. Adli
Leipzig
J. Blaswich; L. Klostermann, W. Orban, J. Gvardiol; B. Henrichs, K. Kampl, A. Haidara, D. Raum; S. Szoboszlai, T. Werner, D. Olmo
Prediction
Leverkusen will look to dominate the midfield areas with their three midfielders. Xabi will hope to outnumber Leipzig in the middle of the pack and retain and recycle possession as they build their attacks.
Leipzig will look to match Leverkusen by bringing an extra player into midfield while retaining their wingbacks and creating overloads in wide areas. This will push Leverkusen back, especially when their two central defenders are exposed to three-on-two situations.
Leverkusen will win the match and extend their winning run. This will also bolster their chances of finishing inside the top four at the business end of the Bundesliga season.
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