Verdict: Serhou Guirassy over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Luckster
Turning their attention back to Bundesliga action on Saturday evening, Borussia Dortmund will travel to RB Leipzig for a heavyweight showdown.
RB Leipzig
Starting with the hosts, enduring what has become a real rut on either side of Germany’s festive break, RB Leipzig have a battle on their hands in the race to clinch a European ticket this season. Despite punching their DFP Pokal ticket last month as they secured a 1-0 victory against Wolfsburg, Marco Rose finds some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Last seen settling for a 0-0 stalemate away at Freiburg, the Red Bulls are without a win from any of their four Bundesliga appearances. Likewise, the former Borussia Dortmund boss has seen his squad muster just a single top-flight victory from any of their last nine outings – a rut that stems all the way back to January 12th. Struggling to find any kind of fluidity in the final third, Leipzig could have another tricky test on their hands this weekend.
RB Leipzig Team News
Both still dealing with respective knee injuries, Leipzig will once again be without the duo of Antonio Nusa and Austrian international Xaver Schlager here. Likewise, not making a single appearance since the end of December, Rose’s side will also be unable to call upon former Monaco defender Benjamin Henrichs.
Heavily linked with a Premier League switch this summer, attacking talisman Benjamin Sesko will lead the line on Saturday evening. Completing a permanent move from Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window, Arthur Vermeeren will partner Kevin Kampl in the middle of the park.
Borussia Dortmund
As for the visitors, mounting a sensational European comeback away at Lille earlier in the week as they extended on their Champions League adventure thanks to a 2-1 victory, Borussia Dortmund certainly find the mood in their camp at a real high. While Niko Kovac might have only arrived in rural Germany six weeks ago, BVB are clearly enjoying life under the former Monaco boss. However, despite enjoying another European romp this season, Saturday’s guests are desperately seeking some much-needed domestic stability. Opening this weekend’s fixtures with just their goal difference keeping them in the top-half of the Bundesliga table, Dortmund will be desperate to lay down a marker here. Smelling a potential opportunity, Kovac’s men will be excited by their most recent showdown against Leipzig. Landing a 2-1 win when they welcomed the Red Bulls to rural Germany on November 2nd, BVB will be seeking a repeat performance here.
Borussia Dortmund Team News
Not featuring since the end of January, Borussia Dortmund will once again be without one-time Manchester City starlet Felix Nmecha on Saturday evening. Likewise, Kovac’s side have already confirmed that Swedish starlet Daniel Svensson will not travel to Leipzig this weekend.
Notching 24 goals across all competitions this season and making an immediate impact since arriving from Stuttgart last summer, the red-hot Serhou Guirassy will lead the line here. Former Brighton star Pascal Gross could once again be deployed at right-back.
RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund Key Factors to Consider
- When RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund met for their reverse Bundesliga showdown on November 2nd, BVB collected a 2-1 victory in rural Germany.
- Leipzig have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous nine Bundesliga appearances.
- Borussia Dortmund have won four of their previous five showdowns away from Signal Iduna Park across all competitions.
- Leipzig have drawn a blank in five of their previous eight matchups across all competitions.
- Serhou Guirassy has recorded 24 goals across all competitions so far this season.
Conclusion
Extending on their Champions League adventure earlier in the week as they snatched a 2-1 victory away at French outfit Lille, Borussia Dortmund will be seeking a repeat performance here. Landing another 2-1 victory when they welcomed Leipzig to rural Germany for their reverse Bundesliga showdown on November 2nd, some in Kovac’s camp could be smelling a potential opportunity this weekend. Meeting a Leipzig squad that have remarkably notched just a sole win from any of their previous nine consecutive Bundesliga appearances, the Champions League quarter-finalists are desperate to make up some ground in the European chase.
Verdict: Serhou Guirassy over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Luckster
