RB Leipzig will look to maintain their early momentum in the Bundesliga when they travel to face VfL Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena on Saturday.
The Wolves come into the clash following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on September 21, a result that left them languishing in 12th place with just five points on the board. Leipzig, meanwhile, sit third after collecting nine points from their opening four fixtures, underlining their ambition to push Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the title race.
Paul Simonis’s side continue to lack consistency at both ends of the pitch. Against Dortmund, Wolfsburg failed to muster a single shot on target, with Konstantinos Koulierakis’s headed effort that struck the post the closest they came to troubling Gregor Kobel. Their defensive record is equally unconvincing: the Wolves have managed only one clean sheet in their last 17 Bundesliga matches. While they have conceded sparingly this term, never more than once in any of their five games, they remain vulnerable when pressed by quality opposition.
Scoring goals has also proven problematic. Wolfsburg have managed seven strikes so far in the league, but tellingly, six of those came against struggling opponents in bottom-placed Heidenheim and newly promoted FC Köln. Against stronger sides, their attacking play has looked blunt. Their recent run underlines these shortcomings, with no wins in their last three outings and a continuation of the poor form that saw them draw three and lose six of their final ten games last season.
Home advantage has offered little comfort either. Wolfsburg are winless in their last ten Bundesliga fixtures at the Volkswagen Arena, losing three and drawing the rest, including both of their home matches this season. Simonis will need his team to break this cycle if they are to frustrate an in-form Leipzig.
In contrast, RB Leipzig are flying high. Ole Werner’s men displayed their attacking variety in a 3-1 victory over FC Köln on September 20, with set pieces proving particularly effective. Goals from both a corner and a free-kick showcased their ability to punish opponents from dead-ball situations, while their pressing and movement in open play remain a constant threat.
Leipzig are averaging 4.3 shots on target per match, ranking in the middle of the Bundesliga pack, but their efficiency is reflected in their expected goals (xG) tally of 7.8, bettered only by Dortmund (7.9) and Bayern (11.5). Their ability to create and convert high-quality chances suggests they have plenty of goals in this team, especially with the pace and trickery in wide areas.
Last season, Leipzig and Wolfsburg clashed three times, producing wildly different outcomes. Wolfsburg stunned them with a 5-1 thrashing in November 2024, but Leipzig responded in style with back-to-back wins (1-0 and 3-2) in their subsequent meetings. Werner’s current squad appears more balanced, having recorded two clean sheets in their last three games and conceding just once since their 6-0 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich in August.
With two away wins already this season, Leipzig are well placed to extend their strong run. However, their record on the road remains mixed when considering the second half of last season, where they lost six of their final 12 away fixtures. That inconsistency is one of the few concerns Werner will be eager to address.
On paper, Leipzig arrive in better form, stronger both tactically and in terms of player quality. Wolfsburg’s lack of a cutting edge, combined with their inability to defend effectively at home, leaves them vulnerable to a confident visiting side who have shown resilience since their early-season drubbing by Bayern.
This encounter may hinge on whether Wolfsburg can finally shake off their Volkswagen Arena hoodoo and whether Leipzig can continue to deliver goals from multiple sources. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Wolfsburg will be without central defender Denis Vavro, who is sidelined with a groin injury. His absence deprives head coach Paul Simonis of an experienced figure in the back line and could force some reshuffling in central defence. There are no fresh suspensions for the Wolves, but Vavro’s unavailability leaves the side with fewer options at the heart of their defence.
In terms of formation, Wolfsburg are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 setup. Kamil Grabara will continue as the goalkeeper, protected by a back four comprising Kilian Fischer at right-back, Mortiz Jenz and Konstantinos Koulierakis as the centre-back pairing, and Joakim Mæhle operating on the left.
In midfield, Maximilian Arnold and Vinicius Souza are set to form a double pivot, providing both defensive cover and distribution from deep. Ahead of them, Lovro Mãjer should take up the central attacking midfield role, flanked by Christian Wimmer on the right andAndreas Skov Olsen on the left, bringing creativity and width to the attack. Leading the line, striker Mohamed Amoura is expected to spearhead the Wolfsburg frontline with his pace and finishing ability.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Grabara; Fischer, Jenz, Koulierakis, Maehle; Arnold, Vinicius; Skov Olsen, Majer, Wimmer; Amoura
RB Leipzig will once again be without midfielder Amadou Haidara, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. The Malian international’s absence is a setback for Ole Werner’s midfield plans, especially given his ability to link defence and attack. On a more positive note, young talent Forzan Assan Ouedraogo has recently returned to training after his own fitness concerns, though his involvement will likely be carefully managed to avoid any risk of aggravation. There are no suspensions within the Leipzig squad heading into this fixture.
In terms of formation, Leipzig are expected to take the field in their usual 4-3-3 shape. Peter Gulacsi will start in goal, with Ridle Baku occupying the right-back slot, Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba forming the central defensive partnership, and David Raum lining up at left-back.
In midfield, Assan Ouedraogo is tipped to start in a box-to-box role, alongside Nicolas Seiwald as the holding midfielder and Christoph Baumgartner adding energy and creativity further forward. In attack, Romulo will spearhead the front line as the centre-forward, flanked by Johan Bakayoko on the right wing and Antonio Nusa on the left. This trio will provide pace, width, and direct attacking threat as Leipzig look to continue their strong start to the Bundesliga campaign.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Ouedraogo, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Bakayoko, Romulo, Nusa
RB Leipzig have won five of their last seven Bundesliga clashes against Wolfsburg (2 draws). Since the beginning of 2022, Leipzig have beaten Wolfsburg more often than any other side in the league.
VfL Wolfsburg are winless in their last 10 Bundesliga home matches (7 draws, 3 defeats). This ongoing streak represents the longest current winless home run of any club in the German top flight.
RB Leipzig recently secured three consecutive Bundesliga wins for the first time in over a year. The last time they managed four victories in a row was back in September/October 2024.
Leipzig have failed to score in seven of their last nine Bundesliga away fixtures since February, netting just four goals in total during that time. However, they did win two straight away matches for the first time since October 2024.
Both Wolfsburg and Leipzig are among the most disciplined sides this Bundesliga season, receiving the fewest yellow cards so far (6 for Wolfsburg, 4 for Leipzig). In contrast, Wolfsburg had the most yellow cards in the league last season (75).
Antonio Nusa has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting attacking prospects in the Bundesliga, and this clash against Wolfsburg presents another chance for him to shine. Operating primarily from the left wing, Nusa brings pace, flair, and the ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations — qualities that make him a constant menace for opposition backlines.
Still only in the early stages of his Leipzig career, the Norwegian international has already shown glimpses of his talent with sharp dribbling and direct play. His combination with Johan Bakayoko on the opposite flank and Romulo through the middle provides Leipzig with a dynamic and unpredictable attacking trio. Nusa’s off-the-ball runs also stretch defences, opening up space for Leipzig’s midfielders to exploit, while his composure in front of goal is steadily improving.
With Wolfsburg struggling at home and vulnerable to fast, incisive wide play, Antonio Nusa’s creativity and explosiveness could be decisive. If Leipzig are to maintain their winning streak and continue their strong early-season form, Nusa may well be the player to provide the spark.
VfL Wolfsburg enter this fixture under significant pressure, still searching for their first home win of the campaign and carrying a 10-game winless streak at the Volkswagen Arena. Paul Simonis’s side have looked compact in spells but remain blunt in attack, and their lack of creativity has been a recurring issue. Against a Leipzig team that thrives on pressing and transitions, those shortcomings could prove costly.
RB Leipzig, meanwhile, are riding the momentum of three straight Bundesliga victories and have won five of their last seven league meetings with Wolfsburg. The attacking trio of Antonio Nusa, Johan Bakayoko, and Romulo has been finding rhythm, while their midfield, even without the injured Amadou Haidara, offers enough control and balance to dictate the game. Defensively, the pairing of Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba provides stability, and Peter Gulacsi’s experience in goal should help the visitors stay composed.
Given Leipzig’s superior form and Wolfsburg’s frailties at home, the Saxons are favourites to take all three points. Wolfsburg may have moments of resistance, especially through Mohamed El Amine Amoura’s direct runs, but Leipzig’s quality in wide areas and set-piece efficiency should make the difference.
