RB Leipzig will be looking to rack their third successive win when they host FC Koln in the Bundesliga. Even though Die Roten Bullen hasn’t lost at home yet this year, the visitors are still looking for their first victory away from home.
Preview (RB Leipzig vs. FC Koln)
Prior to the international break, RB Leipzig was struggling. They managed a draw with Bayern Munich. They also lost to Champions League leaders Manchester City 3-1 and shared the points with VfL Bochum. Since then, though, they have won back-to-back games against SV Darmstadt 98 and Red Star Belgrade. In fact, the team defeated Red Star 3-1 at home three days after winning the Bundesliga away from Darmstadt 3-1. Louis Openda, the club’s record signing, scored four goals in the two games to bring his season total to seven goals in 13 games.
After eight games, Marco Rose’s team sits fifth in the Bundesliga. They are three points behind the top four and five points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen. However, they are on track to finish in the top two spots in Group G of the Champions League. Leipzig have won their past eight home Bundesliga games despite their last two ending in draws. They will be happy to return to the Red Bull Arena this weekend. Die Roen Bullen haven’t lost three straight home league games since March/April 2021.
Rose and company will not be guaranteed success on Saturday, as they have drawn three of their last four meetings with Koln, including both home and away games from the previous season. A goalless draw in the rematch in February followed a 2-2 tie in Leipzig in August of last year. Koln finally opened their account for the new season with a 3-1 home victory against Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend, following their joint-worst start to a top-flight campaign and their inability to win each of their first seven Bundesliga games. With this victory, Stephan Baumgart’s team has risen from the bottom of the Bundesliga standings to 16th place. Should they defeat Leipzig this coming weekend, they will have moved out of the bottom three.
Team News
After suffering a knee injury while playing for Hungary on international duty earlier this month, Leipzig defender Willi Orban is still out of the lineup but has started working out on his own. El Chadaille Bitshiabu (MCL tear) and Timo Schlieck (knee) are both in the treatment room with the 30-year-old. After recovering from a knee injury, Dani Olmo has made two substitute appearances. On Saturday, the playmaker will be looking to push his way back into the starting lineup ahead of Emil Forsberg.
Timo Werner and Benjamin Sesko will once again have to start as substitutes as Benjamin Henrichs and David Raum are expected to hold their positions at full-back ahead of Luke Klostermann and Christopher Lenz. Regarding Koln, Baumgart has stated that goalie Philipp Pentke, 38, is no longer in the hospital following treatment for a knee injury he suffered during practice. Jan Thielmann, Noah Katterbach, and Jacob Christensen (both knee) will also be out from action.
Nevertheless, Florian Dietz has trained for an entire week after missing significant time due to an ACL injury. The forward might be available for this weekend’s matchday roster. The only three Koln players with goals this season are Kainz, Waldschmidt, and David Selke. All three are anticipated to start on Saturday, with the former playing as the number 10 behind the other two in the attack. Koln has been frustrating Die Roten Bullen in their last meetings.
RB Leipzig 3 – 1 FC Koln
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