RB Leipzig v Borussia Dortmund: Match Preview, Team News, Predicted XI

RB Leipzig v Borussia Dortmund: Match Preview, Team News, Predicted XI | Bundesliga 2018-19

Modified Jan 18, 2019 18:16 GMT

Can Borussia Dortmund continue from where they left off at the end of 2018?

The Bundesliga is back after the winter break and league leaders Borussia Dortmund will travel to East Germany as they face RB Leipzig in the Red Bull Arena on Saturday.

The team from the Eastern region of Germany has so far had a below average season with the German side knocked out from the Europa League in the group stages, while maintaining their 4th place in the league, the last Champions League spot. The hosts, sitting 11 points off the league leaders, will be hoping cut short the deficit and inflict just the second defeat of the season to Die Borussen.

The visitors, meanwhile, have had a stellar start to the season with 13 wins and just one defeat in their domestic season while qualifying to the knockout stages of the Champions League. The team from the Ruhr region lead the table by 6 points, ahead of rivals and defending champions Bayern Munich, and a win will see them extending their lead to 9 points, depending on the Bavarian giants' result against Hoffenheim.

The first encounter between the two powerhouses ended with the team in yellow comprehensively beating Leipzig 4-1 in August.

Here are the team news and the predicted XI:

Team News

RB Leipzig

The onus will be upon the German international to find the net

Ralf Rangnick faces a slight concern in the midfield area, with Amadou Haidara, Emil Forsberg and Bruma all out injured, while Stefan Ilsanker missing out through suspension.

Borussia Dortmund

Lucien Favre has a mini defensive crisis upon him with Manuel Akanji, Omar Toprak and Dan Axel Zagadou all out injured, while new signing Leonardo Balerdi is out on international duty. The French manager might be tempted to use German international Julian Weigl in the centre back role amidst the defensive crisis.