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

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Boateng missed a fourth match in succession as Hertha were beaten at bottom club Greuther Fürth on Matchday 21. The 34-year-old is still searching for his first goal since returning to the club in the summer and the Old Lady of German football could do with the Ghanaian finding form in front of goal on his return to the side. An end to Stevan Jovetic's four-game run without scoring would also be welcomed by Tayfun Korkut, whose side have hit a slump since the turn of the year. Having won two of his first games in charge, the Berliners have since gone five without victory in 2022 and are now just one point clear of Augsburg in the promotion/relegation playoff place. Injuries haven't helped and Hertha must again do without the services of captains Dedryck Boyata and Niklas Stark, as well as influential midfielder Suat Serdar.

Adams started Leipzig's UEFA Europa League 2-2 draw with Real Sociedad on Thursday and the American is now pushing for a return to action in the league after having missed the last two Bundesliga matchdays. That included Leipzig's 3-2 loss at Bayern Munich and their subsequent 3-1 win over Cologne last weekend that moved Die Roten Bullen into the top four for the first time this season. Christopher Nkunku got the ball rolling with his 11th league goal of the campaign and the Frenchman's red-hot form, which continued with another goal in midweek, has been a major factor in Leipzig catapulting themselves up the league. Marcel Halstenberg is nearing a return but the trip to the capital could come too soon for the Germany defender and, with no new injury concerns in the ranks, Domenico Tedesco could afford himself the luxury of naming an unchanged XI from the side that saw off the Billy Goats.

Match stats

Jovetic is Hertha's top scorer this season, with five goals in 13 Bundesliga appearances.

Hertha haved claimed nine points in nine games under Korkut, compared to 14 in 13 under predecessor Pal Dardai.

Only VfB Stuttgart have claimed fewer points across five Rückunde matches than Hertha's two. At the other end of the spectrum, in second place, Leipzig have picked up 12 from a possible 15 points. Bayer Leverkusen top the pile (13 points).

With 11 goals already, Nkunku has scored as many times after 22 matches as in his first two seasons of Bundesliga football combined.

Since Tedesco took charge, only Bayern have claimed more points (18) than Leipzig's 16.

Leipzig have recorded more wins (nine) and scored more goals (39) against Hertha than any other Bundesliga club they've faced.

Probable line-ups

Hertha: Schwolow - Pekarik, Gechter, Kempf, Mittelstädt - Richter, Tousart, Darida (c), Maolida - Belfodil, Jovetic

Out: Boyata (ankle), Dardai (ankle), Jarstein (knee), Serdar (not included), Stark (not included)

Doubtful: Christensen (thigh), Körber (knee)

Coach: Tayfun Korkut

Leipzig: Gulacsi (c) - Simakan, Adams, Gvardiol - Klostermann, Haidara, Kampl, Angelino - Olmo, Nkunku - Silva

Out: -

Doubtful: Halstenberg (knee), Orban (cold)

Coach: Domenico Tedesco