Preview: RB Leipzig vs. Fortuna Dusseldorf - predictions, team news, lineups

RB Leipzig will be looking to consolidate their hold on a Champions League place when they welcome Fortuna Dusseldorf to the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday.

In contrast, Dusseldorf currently occupy the relegation playoff spot and are three points from safety following their dampening defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Match preview

© Reuters

Leipzig recovered from their disappointing draw with the Bundesliga's basement side Paderborn as they overcame Hoffenheim 2-0 on Friday evening.

A quickfire double from Dani Olmo set Julian Nagelsmann 's men on their way to a comfortable victory at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena, and Leipzig have firmly cemented their position among the top three as the season draws to a close.

Furthermore, the gap between Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen has now stretched to five points following their failure to beat Schalke on Sunday, and Borussia Monchengladbach's loss to title-chasing Bayern Munich means that Leipzig will be confident of securing third place for the 2019-20 campaign.

Die Roten Bullen are four points behind second-placed Dortmund as things stand, and the two powerhouses will lock horns next Saturday in what could be a pivotal game for the final standings of the season.

Nagelsmann will be fully focused on the task at hand against Dusseldorf, though, with Leipzig aiming to end a run of four consecutive Bundesliga draws on home soil in midweek.

Dusseldorf could be in for a tough afternoon against Nagelsmann's side, as Leipzig are on a 12-game unbeaten run in the Bundesliga and have scored in every home match this season.

© Reuters

Meanwhile, Dusseldorf were dealt a cruel blow at the weekend as they succumbed to an Erling Braut Haaland winner against Dortmund at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.

Uwe Rosler 's men held out for 95 minutes against Lucien Favre 's side before Haaland came off the bench to steer a header home and leave Dusseldorf fighting for survival with three gameweeks remaining.

Indeed, Die Flingeraner sit in 16th after 31 games, and they are only ahead of 17th-placed Werder Bremen on goal difference following their 5-1 thrashing of Paderborn.

Dusseldorf have now only picked up one win in their last six matches, and should Werder continue to gather momentum in the closing stages of the campaign, Rosler's side are facing a real risk of an automatic relegation to the 2. Bundesliga.

History certainly does not favour Dusseldorf heading into the midweek clash with Leipzig; Die Flingeraner suffered a 3-0 defeat to Nagelsmann's side in December, and Rosler's men have failed to beat the Champions League hopefuls in seven attempts.

RB Leipzig Bundesliga form: DWDWDW

Fortuna Dusseldorf Bundesliga form: DDWLDL

Team News

© Reuters

The highly-coveted Dayot Upamecano returns from suspension for Leipzig and will almost certainly slot straight into Nagelsmann's backline.

Yussuf Poulsen and Fabrice Hartmann are still on the treatment table for the Red Bulls, but Marcel Sabitzer returned last weekend to boost Nagelsmann's squad at this crucial stage of the season.

Christopher Nkunku started on the bench against Hoffenheim but the 22-year-old could return to the starting lineup on Wednesday.

Dusseldorf will have to make do without Niko Giesselmann after the defender picked up his fifth booking of the season against Dortmund, but Adam Bodzek will return from his one-match ban.

Giesselmann's absence leaves a spot for former Huddersfield Town defender Mathias Jorgensen to deputise at centre-back, and top scorer Rouwen Hennings is in line for a return fo the first XI.

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen and midfielder Oliver Fink remain sidelined for Rosler's side.

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Gulacsi; Mukiele, Upamecano, Klostermann, Halstenberg; Kampl, Nkunku, Sabitzer, Olmo; Werner, Schick

Fortuna Dusseldorf possible starting lineup:

Kastenmeier; Ayhan, Hoffmann, Zanka; Zimmermann, Bodzek, Stoger, Berisha, Thommy; Karaman, Hennings

We say: RB Leipzig 3-0 Fortuna Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf defended extremely well for long periods against Dortmund last weekend, but they are now facing a free-scoring Leipzig side who will be determined to end their winless run on home soil, and we expect Nagelsmann's side to pick up all three points in routine fashion.