Following consecutive draws in the league, RB Leipzig will be eager to return to winning ways when they square off against an inconsistent Hamburger SV side at Volksparkstadion on Sunday.
The home team are 11th on the table with 26 points in their 22 outings, with six wins, eight draws and as many defeats. Hamburg might not be in the best of forms, but they have been unbeaten in their last six league outings (two wins).
Die Rothosen are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-1 draw against FSV Mainz. While they were hoping to make it three wins in a row in the league, things did not go according to plan. Now HSV would want to return to winning ways, but taking down Leipzig won’t be an easy task.
On the other hand, the visitors have slipped down to fifth on the table after winning just one out of their last five league games. Die Roten Bullen have 41 points in their 23 outings with 12 wins, five draws and six defeats. While they have not been at their best, Leipzig are very much in the race for a top-four spot.
Leipzig are only two points behind fourth-placed VfB Stuttgart, and they will look to keep the pressure on them with a win here. The visitors are heading into this fixture on the back of a disappointing draw against Borussia Dortmund.
They were on the verge of securing all three points, but an injury-time strike by Fabio Silva spoiled the party. Now the away side will be eager to return to winning ways against Hamburg. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Hamburger SV will be without the services of Albert Gronbaek (thigh) and Alexander Rossing-Lelesiit (ankle) for this fixture. Apart from the duo, everyone else is expected to be available for selection.
The home team will line up in a 3-4-3 formation, where Daniel Heuer Fernandes will take charge in goal. In the heart of the defence, Nicolas Capaldo will start alongside Luka Vuskovic and Jordan Torunarigha. The trio will look to keep things tight at the back, and they will receive significant support from Bakery Jatta and Miro Muheim, who will feature as wing-backs.
As for the midfield unit, Fabio Vieira will partner with Nicolai Remberg in the centre of the park. The duo will look to ensure the RB Leipzig midfielders do not run the show. Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorffer and Philip Otele will provide width to their attacks from the flanks, while Robert Glatzel will be lead the line for Hamburger SV against RB Leipzig this weekend.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Fernandes; Capaldo, Vuskovic, Torunarigha; Jatta, Vieira, Remberg, Muheim; Konigsdorffer, Glatzel, Otele
Ole Werner remains without the services of Peter Gulacsi (knee), Forzan Assan Ouedraogo (knee), Xaver Schlager (groin), Ayodele Thomas (muscle), Viggo Gebel (ACL), and Kosta Nedeljkovic (back).
The visitors will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Maarten Vandevoordt will take charge in goal. Ridle Baku and David Raum will feature as the full-backs, while Willi Orban will pair up with Castello Lukeba in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Brajan Gruda will start alongside Nicolas Seiwald and Christoph Baumgartner in the centre of the park. The trio will look to control the tempo and ensure they dominate possession.
Yan Diomande and Antonio Nusa will provide width to their attacks from the flanks, while Romulo Cardoso will lead the line for RB Leipzig against Hamburger SV at Volksparkstadion on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Vandevoordt; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Gruda, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Diomande, Romulo, Nusa
The teenager has taken his game to the next level since joining Leipzig last summer. The Ivorian winger has been on fire for the German giants, and his performances have placed him on the wishlist of some of the biggest clubs in Europe. The 19-year-old has been involved in 25 matches and has contributed towards 16 goals (9 goals, 7 assists).
Diomande has been one of the standout performers for Leipzig in the ongoing campaign. The fact that he is equally effective on either flank has made him a very valuable part of Ole Werner’s team. The Ivory Coast international will look to add to his tally against Hamburger, who might struggle to keep him at bay.
RB Leipzig will head into this fixture knowing they cannot afford another slip-up if they want to stay firmly in the top-four race. Despite their recent struggles, the visitors have enough quality in attack and midfield to trouble a Hamburger SV side that has shown resilience but often lack the cutting edge against stronger opponents.
Hamburg’s strong home form should help them stay competitive for large spells, but Leipzig’s superior depth and individual quality are likely to make the difference as the game wears on. Expect the visitors to edge a relatively open contest and return to winning ways with a controlled but hard-fought victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the away team.
