RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose will hope to leave the rumours of his potential dismissal behind in 2024, and start 2025 with a win in the Bundesliga against Werder Bremen at home on Sunday at Red Bull Arena.
Die Roten Bullen occupy the final Champions League spot in fourth place and have 27 points after losing 5-1 against leaders Bayern Munich on December 20, while Werder Bremen beat Union Berlin 4-1 on December 21 and are seventh with 25 points.
Match preview
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Though losing against Bayern is by no means an unexpected result considering their quality, the hosts will feel disappointed that they performed so poorly at both ends of the pitch given they faced nearly 3.3 xG while creating just 0.14 xG after Benjamin Sesko scored their only goal in the second minute of the first half.
Rose's position as head coach had come under pressure after the side lost five and drew one of their six games between November 2 and November 30, with the club conceding 15 times and scoring six goals.
While Die Roten Bullen have triumphed in three of their five most recent matches, they were still beaten twice in that period, and were eliminated from the Champions League after losing 3-2 against Aston Villa on December 10.
Interestingly, Leipzig started their league campaign with six clean sheets in their first seven outings, conceding just two goals in that time.
However, the club prevented their opponents from scoring in just two of their subsequent eight Bundesliga fixtures, and they only rank as the division's 10th best offensive side having netted 24 goals.
It should be noted that while Leipzig have lost two, drawn one and won one of their last four home games in all competitions, they have only been defeated at Red Bull Arena once in their past 14 league games at the stadium, winning nine times.
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Meanwhile, Werder Bremen faced 16 shots and only produced 10 of their own against Union Berlin, and the victors may be concerned that while they created five big chances, Union managed to create four.
Boss Ole Werner hailed his players' performances in the aftermath of the win, telling reporters: "We played excellent football with some great link-up play, and all our goals were well worked. The fact that we did well when in possession was also key today, because Union defend well and haven't allowed their opponents many chances so far this season."
The Green-Whites have scored 26 goals and conceded 25 times in the league this term, and these records makes them the top flight's eighth best offensive and joint 10th best defensive team.
Werner's side are in strong form given they have achieved four victories in their past four games, keeping three clean sheets and scoring eight goals in those matches.
The visitors' away record has largely been excellent this season, as not only have they won their two most recent fixtures on the road, they have won seven, drawn one and been defeated in just two of their 10 away matches.
Team News
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RB Leipzig will be able to field a strong backline, with Lukas Klostermann and Willi Orban set to feature as centre-backs, but defenders Benjamin Henrichs and Castello Lukeba have been ruled out.
Midfielder Forzan Assan Ouedraogo will not be available for selection until April, while Xaver Schlager is a doubt, so perhaps Nicolas Seiwald and Arthur Vermeeren will form a partnership in the middle of the pitch.
Striker Yussuf Poulsen is nearing a return from a thigh injury, but there is no reason to suggest that regulars Sesko and Lois Openda will not start on Sunday.
As for the visitors, their squad is almost entirely available, though they are still contending with the absences of wing-back Felix Agu and striker Keke Topp.
Expect Mitchell Weiser and Derrick Kohn to appear either side of centre-backs Niklas Stark, Marco Friedl and Anthony Jung.
Elsewhere, Jens Stage and Senne Lynen may start in midfield behind a forward line consisting of Marco Grull, Romano Schmid and Marvin Ducksch.
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Geertruida, Klostermann, Orban, Raum; Baumgartner, Seiwald, Vermeeren, Nusa; Sesko, Openda
Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Zetterer; Stark, Friedl, Jung; Weiser, Stage, Lynen, Kohn; Grull, Schmid; Ducksch
We say: RB Leipzig 1-1 Werder Bremen
RB Leipzig's defensive record in the past weeks is alarming, and it is difficult to see them preventing Werder Bremen from scoring.
However, the hosts' strong form at home should make them favourites on Sunday, and they are likely to at least avoid defeat.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
