Bundesliga Preview: RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund

The Bundesliga is back and Borussia Dortmund travel to RB Leipzig in the battle of first vs fourth. Borussia Dortmund are in defensive turmoil with four center backs unavailable for selection. Will Lucien Favre’s side be able to hold off RB Leipzig?

Match information

Location: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany

Date: January, 19th, 2019

Time: 12:30 ET/ 6:30pm Local

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Borussia Dortmund

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Borussia Dortmund suffered only their second defeat of the Lucien Favre era against Fortuna Dusseldorf. But then they bounced back quickly to defeat Borussia Monchengladbach to head into the winter break with a six point cushion. A well-needed break showed promise but quickly turned sour heading into the restart of the season. The Black and Yellows will travel to Leipzig with only one natural center back available.

RB Leipzig

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RB Leipzig’s form hasn’t been spectacular this season. The Red Bulls were knocked out of The Europa League and their chances for silverware look secluded to the DFB-Pokal. While they are fighting for a Champions League spot and doing a great job of it, they are 11 points behind the league leaders. RB Leipzig has yet to lose at home this season and they will look to take valuable points away from Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

Team News

The defensive woes can’t be ignored, Lucien Favre has kept Julian Weigl around and for good reason. While he is not a natural center back, he is proven capable to play in that role. The only question is whether he will be paired with Abdou Diallo in the back four, or will Favre favor a makeshift back 3? Unfortunately, only game day will tell. Manuel Akanji, Omer Toprak and Dan Axel Zagadou are all out injured, while new signing Leonardo Balerdi is on international duty with Argentina U-20s.

Leipzig will be without Amadou Haidara, Bruma and Emil Forsberg, who are all out injured. While Stefan Ilsanker is suspended after getting sent off against Bayern.

Opposition Star Man: Yussuf Poulsen

16 December 2018, Saxony, Leipzig: Soccer: Bundesliga, 15th matchday, RB Leipzig – FSV Mainz 05 in the Red Bull Arena Leipzig. Leipzig’s players Yussuf Poulsen (r) and Kevin Kampl cheer about the 1:0 by Poulsen. Photo: Jan Woitas/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa /

Poulsen has been red hot for RB Leipzig this season. His 11 goals and 6 assist make him an invaluable member of the squad and deadly when on the attack. While Timo Werner could easily have taken this spot, Poulsen has been a man on a mission for his club this season. Poulsen may have failed to make an impact on Match Day 1, but Borussia Dortmund will need to shut him down on Saturday.

Last Match: Borussia Dortmund 4-1 RB Leipzig

DORTMUND, GERMANY – AUGUST 26: Alex Witzel of Borussia Dortmund celebrates scoring the goal to the 3:1 during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig at the Signal Iduna Park on August 26, 2018 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images) /

The last time the two sides met, Borussia Dortmund ran out comfortable winners despite conceding early on. Jean-Kevin Augustin ripped into BVB when Match Day 1 started and it wasn’t pretty for the Black and Yellow defense. An aura of dread hung around the Stadium as it was 0-1 in favor of RB Leipzig only 31 seconds into the match. Thankfully, a crazy header from Mahmoud Dahoud got the Black and Yellows back into the game.

An own goal from Marcel Sabitzer helped Dortmund take the lead as Leipzig began to tire. Axel Witsel then doubled Dortmund’s lead with a bicycle kick before Marco Reus scored his 100th Bundesliga goal to seal the win, and the shaky start to the match was forgotten.

Next. Borussia Dortmund vs RB Leipzig: Expected Starting XI. dark

Final prediction: RB Leipzig 1-2 Borussia Dortmund

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