Bayer Leverkusen vs. RB Leipzig: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Schick's 20 Bundesliga goals have helped keep Leverkusen in the top-four mix for the majority of the season. The Czech striker hasn't scored since picking up an injury in defeat to Mainz on Matchday 23, but managed 77 minutes of the goalless draw at Bochum last time out and should start once again. Diaby missed a penalty in that game in a rare blot to the copybook for one of the standout performers of the 2021/22 campaign. The France international is one provision away from joining countryman Nkunku as the only other player on double figures for goals and assists this season. Gerardo Seoane is set to continue with Kerem Demirbay and Paulinho alongside Diaby in behind Schick in attack, with Sardar Azmoun having only returned to training on Friday following a cold. Mitchel Bakker - his 30th-minute replacement in Bochum - should start in his stead, with Piero Hincapie moving inside. Jonathan Tah could also be an option in the back four, after recovering from a rib complaint.

As already touched upon, Nkunku has been nigh-on unstoppable for Leipzig. He had a direct hand in two of three Leipzig efforts against Hoffenheim on Sunday to take his personal tally to 17 goals and 12 assists. Dominik Szoboszlai also scored one and made another, and could be rotated in once more, given Leipzig's involvement in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. Left-back Angelino was among the players rested by head coach Domenico Tedesco immediately after the first leg, but it's fair to assume rotation will be kept to a minimum in Leverkusen, given the high-stakes nature of the Leverkusen game. The Bundesliga's form side in 2022, Leipzig will climb to third if they avoid defeat. In any case, midfielder Amadou Haidara was the only absentee for the win over Atalanta which took Leipzig through to the semi-finals of the Europa League on Thursday, and with no ill-effects from that game, Tedesco again has a strong squad to select from.

Match stats

Schick is second only to Robert Lewandowski (32) in the Bundesliga scoring chart. He's averaging a league goal every 84 minutes this season.

Diaby has had a hand in 10 goals across his last 10 Bundesliga appearances.

Leverkusen have won just two of 11 Bundesliga meetings with Leipzig (18 per cent), but did manage a 3-1 victory earlier in the season. They only have a worse win rate against Dynamo Dresden (12.5 per cent).

Nkunku is third in the scoring chart (17) and second for assists (12). Only Lewandowski (33) has had a direct hand in more goals across the Bundesliga.

Leipzig have won five of their six away league games in 2022 (except a 3-2 defeat in Munich), scoring 21 goals. They'd managed just four points and five goals in eight in the Hinrunde.

Die Roten Bullen are also unbeaten in Leverkusen (W2, D3) as they prepare to play their 200th Bundesliga game. Their record so far is 106 wins and just 43 losses.

Probable line-ups

Leverkusen: Hradecky (c) - Kossounou, Tapsoba, Hincapie, Bakker - Andrich, Aranguiz - Diaby, Demirbay, Paulinho - Schick

Out: Adli (Achilles), Bellarabi (thigh), Fosu-Mensah (thigh), Frimpong (ankle), Lunev (ankle), Wirtz (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Gerardo Seoane

Leipzig: Gulacsi (c) - Klostermann, Orban, Gvardiol - Henrichs, Laimer, Kampl, Angelino - Forsberg - Silva, Nkunku

Out: Haidara (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Domenico Tedesco

About the clubs Bayer 04 Leverkusen

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RB Leipzig

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