After the surprising 1-0 loss at VfL Bochum before the international break, RB Leipzig will be looking to bounce back to winning form when they host in-form Mainz 05 at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday from 13:30 GMT.
Key Highlights
RB Leipzig’s Recent Bad Run of Results
Marco Rose and his men have suffered big losses in recent matches. They lost 2-1 at Dortmund in the Bundesliga before being hammered by Man City 7-0 at the Etihad Stadium. This followed this horrible disaster with a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to VfL Bochum.
They will be looking to turn their form around starting with the home match against Mainz 05 on Saturday.
The run of results has seen them leapfrogged by SC Freiburg and pushed to 5th on the table, one point behind Freiburg in fourth.
The focus for Marco Rose will be to return to winning form and retain their consistency in the run-in to bolster their chances of finishing inside the top for in the Bundesliga.
Mainz 05’s Unbeaten Run
Mainz are unbeaten in 6 Bundesliga matches. They have won four and drawn twice in this run.
Bo Svensson and his charges will look to maintain their good run of form when they travel to the Red bull Arena to face RB Leipzig on Saturday.
The focus will be on maintaining their compact approach and fluidity in attack. The balance between defense and offense has been good for Mainz, which has allowed them to go on a fantastic unbeaten run in the Bundesliga.
Injury Report
RB Leipzig
Marco Rose’s bid to help his side to climb back into the top four will be hindered by the injury-enforced absence of some of his key players.
Goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi is still out with a cruciate ligament rupture, with the 32-year-old having missed 24 matches for Leipzig.
Center-back Abdou Diallo is also missing with a knee problem. The 26-year-old defender has been sidelined for 12 matches this season.
Attacker Christopher Nkunku has been hampered by injuries recently and his absence has affected the flow and potency of RB Leipzig’s attack. The 25-year-old Frenchman is nursing a torn muscle fiber and is a doubt for the visit of Mainz on Saturday.
Marco Rose will also be without central midfielder Xaver Schlager (syndesmotic ligament tear) and goalkeeper Timo Schlieck (meniscal injury).
Mainz 05
Bo Svensson will be without three players in his selection for Saturday’s trip to the Red Bull Arena.
Center-forward Jonathan Burkardt will continue recovering from knee surgery and is thus unlikely to be available for selection in the trip to RB Leipzig. The 22-year-old has been sidelined for 11 matches this season.
Another center-forward, Marlon Mustapha, is also likely to be unavailable for the Leipzig match with an illness. The 21-year-old has missed 4 matches since February 23, 2023.
Right winger Brajan Gruda is also a doubt for the trip to the Red Bull Arena, with the 18-year-old facing an unknown injury since March 4, 2023.
Possible Lineups
RB Leipzig
J. Blaswich; M. Halstenberg, J. Gvardiol, W. Orban, M. Simakan; K. Laimer, K. Kampl; T. Werner, D. Szoboszlai; Y. Poulsen, A. Silva
Mainz 05
R. Zentner; A. Hanche-Olsen, S. Bell, E. Fernandes; D. da Costa, L. Barreiro, A. Stach, A. Caci; M. Invartsen, J. Lee; L. Ajorque
Prediction
RB Leipzig will look to end the bad run of results in recent matches; they will seek to dominate the ball and be proactive in the match.
Mainz will be pragmatic in their approach with a medium-low press and transition attacks after winning the ball.
RB Leipzig will win the match and take all three points.
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