Preview: SV Darmstadt 98 vs. RB Leipzig - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts have recorded victories in their last two matches, while die Roten Bullen are unbeaten in six Bundesliga games.

Match preview

After spending six years in the second tier, Darmstadt took time to readjust to life in the top flight, with their opening five matches producing one draw and four defeats.

Following the poor start to the season, Darmstadt boss Torsten Lieberknecht would have been relieved to see his side finally claim a win on matchday six when they recorded a 4-2 home victory over Werder Bremen.

They took confidence from that result and went on to edge out Augsburg via a 2-1 scoreline thanks to a Tim Skarke strike and a Tobias Kempe spot-kick.

Consecutive victories saw Darmstadt climb up to 11th place before the international break, leaving them three points clear of the danger zone.

While Lieberknecht will be pleased with recent results, he will still want to see an improvement from his backline, with his side currently sharing the worst defensive record with Bochum and Mainz after conceding 19 goals.

Leipzig have put together a six-game unbeaten league run since losing 3-2 to Bayer Leverkusen on the opening day of the Bundesliga season.

After claiming four consecutive Bundesliga victories, die Roten Bullen had to settle for a draw in their last two league matches.

Despite giving up a two-goal lead against Bayern, Leipzig might have been content with a point against the Bavarians, but they would have certainly been frustrated with a goalless draw in their most recent outing with Bochum, especially after missing two penalties against the struggling side.

Following three consecutive home matches in all competitions, die Roten Bullen will head on their travels for their first meeting with Darmstadt since April 2017.

Marco Rose's charges have recorded four straight competitive away wins, including victories over Union Berlin and Borussia Monchengladbach in their last two Bundesliga away trips.

SV Darmstadt 98 Bundesliga form:

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L

D

L

W

W

RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:

W

W

W

W

D

D

RB Leipzig form (all competitions):

W

W

W

D

L

D

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Team News

The hosts are still unable to call upon Emir Karic due to a muscle injury, while there are also doubts over Clemens Riedel's availability.

Lieberknecht could be tempted to select the same side that started the 2-1 win over Augsburg in the final game before the international break.

Fabio Torsello and Christoph Zimmermann could feature on the bench after recovering from their respective injury issues.

As for the visitors, they will go into the weekend without the services of Willi Orban and El Chadaille Bitshiabu, who remain sidelined with knee injuries.

Benjamin Henrichs and Dani Olmo have returned to full training and should be available for Saturday's away trip, but the latter may have to settle for a place on the bench after missing the last month of action.

After dropping to the bench for the goalless draw with Bochum, Emil Forsberg and Yussuf Poulsen could both return to the starting lineup this weekend.

SV Darmstadt 98 possible starting lineup:

Schuhen; Klarer, Gjasula, Maglica; Bader, Holland, Mehlem, Kempe, Nurnberger; Skarke, Pfeiffer

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Blaswich; Henrichs, Simakan, Lukeba, Raum; Simons, Schlager, Kampl, Forsberg; Poulsen, Openda

We say: SV Darmstadt 98 0-2 RB Leipzig

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