MX23RW : Friday, March 3 03:18:05| >> :600:578883:578883:
[monks data]
Feb 18, 2023 at 2.30pm UK
Wolfsburg
0 - 3
RB Leipzig

Bornauw (90+1')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Forsberg (14'), Laimer (85'), Szoboszlai (90+2')
Raum (65')

Preview: Wolfsburg vs. RB Leipzig - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Bundesliga clash between Wolfsburg and RB Leipzig, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Both teams will be aiming to return to winning ways when Wolfsburg host RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Leipzig were beaten by Union Berlin last weekend, while the Wolves were held by Schalke 04.


Match preview

Wolfsburg coach Niko Kovac on January 31, 2023© Reuters

Having amassed a six-match winning streak in the Bundesliga either side of the World Cup break, Wolfsburg have since failed to win any of their last four matches in all competitions.

Their dreams of winning a second DFB-Pokal in the club's history were ended by Union Berlin at the last-16 stage, with league defeats to Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich sandwiching their cup exit.

Niko Kovac's side did at least put an end to their losing run by claiming a point away to Schalke last Friday, with the Bundesliga's bottom-ranked team drawing 0-0 for the third consecutive match in another low-key encounter.

In truth, the Wolves were arguably fortunate to return from Gelsenkirchen with a point having seen the hosts fire in 20 shots and enjoy more possession throughout the encounter. Kovac will be more than aware that his side will require a superior performance in order to avoid defeat against Leipzig this weekend.

RB Leipzig coach Marco Rose before the match on January 20, 2023© Reuters

That said, Leipzig were ousted from the Bundesliga's top four last weekend after surrendering a 1-0 lead against their Champions League qualification rivals Union Berlin at the Red Bull Arena.

Benjamin Henrichs had provided the hosts with a dream start by opening the scoring after 24 minutes, but second-half strikes from Janik Haberer and Robin Knoche turned the match on its head as Leipzig fell seven points behind league leaders Bayern.

The defeat also brought an end to Die Roten Bullen's remarkable 18-match unbeaten run under Marco Rose, who had not lost in charge of Leipzig since suffering a 3-0 defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach in mid-September.

Having also failed to win in their previous game away to FC Koln, the 46-year-old will be hoping to see his side return to their best against Wolfsburg, especially ahead of hosting Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Wolfsburg Bundesliga form:


Wolfsburg form (all competitions):


RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:


RB Leipzig form (all competitions):



Team News

Dani Olmo in action for RB Leipzig on November 2, 2022© Reuters

Wolfsburg appear to be in the enviable position of having no injury or suspension concerns ahead of facing Leipzig, with Kovac likely to pick the same starting XI which drew at Schalke.

Lukas Nmecha was not utilised from the bench despite the scoreline remaining goalless at Veltins Arena, indicating that the club are being patient before fully throwing the Germany striker back into action after he missed out on featuring for his country at the World Cup due to a serious knee injury.

Leipzig, meanwhile, will remain without Abdou Diallo, Peter Gulasci and Dani Olmo, but Christopher Nkunku could return to their matchday squad after recovering from a knee injury.

Nagelsmann is likely to return to a back four after their five-man defence against Union Berlin failed to create a platform for success last time out, with Emil Forsberg potentially set to be called upon from the start.

Willi Orban was surprisingly left out against Urs Fischer's side, but the Hungary international should return to captain the visitors from the heart of the defence.

Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:
Casteels; Baku, Bornauw, Van de Ven, Otavio; Svanberg, Arnold, Gerhardt; Wimmer, Wind, Kaminski

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Blaswich; Henrichs, Orban, Gvardiol, Raum; Laimer, Schlager; Szoboszlai, Forsberg; Silva, Werner


SM words green background

We say: Wolfsburg 1-1 RB Leipzig

With both sides struggling for form in recent weeks, we can envisage a share of the spoils in Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Although Leipzig undoubtedly possess more individual quality than their forthcoming opponents do, Kovac's side have become increasingly tough to beat, while they have the advantage of playing without European football this season.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data

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Game History

How you voted: Wolfsburg vs RB Leipzig

Wolfsburg
23.8%
Draw
25.4%
RB Leipzig
50.8%
63
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bayern MunichBayern22137264214346
2Borussia DortmundDortmund22151645271846
3Union BerlinUnion Berlin2213453527843
4RB Leipzig22126445271842
5Freiburg2212553532341
6Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt22115643311238
7Wolfsburg2296740291133
8Mainz 05Mainz229583734332
9Werder Bremen2293103441-730
10Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach228593839-129
11Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen2284103636028
12FC Koln226883236-426
13Augsburg2273122638-1224
14Hertha Berlin2255122740-1320
15Stuttgart2247112738-1119
16Hoffenheim2254132941-1219
17VfL BochumVfL Bochum2261152454-3019
18Schalke 04Schalke2237121642-2616

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