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

Latest

Nkunku, who will come up against fellow Paris Saint-Germain youth academy product Moussa Diaby, found the net twice in Leipzig's 5-0 win over Club Brugge on Wednesday, taking the French midfielder to seven goals in European club competition this season. He has also struck five times in the Bundesliga, but drew a blank last time out as Leipzig were beaten 2-0 at Hoffenheim to bring their seven-game unbeaten streak to an end. Tyler Adams missed the trip to Belgium with suspension but is available domestically. Dominik Szoboszlai and Amadou Haidara — both of whom have had ankle injuries — should be fit enough to feature while Josep Martinez will deputise for Peter Gulasci in goal as he did in midweek to make only his second Bundesliga appearance.

Wirtz will be aiming to end a relatively barren run of form, and the same is true of his team, whose 1-0 win over Bochum last Saturday was their first in five attempts — a patchy run that has seen them lose momentum in the league table. Patrik Schick, who had a bountiful loan spell at Leipzig last season, has missed the last three league outings with an ankle injury, while Karim Bellarabi was absent last weekend with a thigh problem, but both are expected to be available. Charles Aranguiz (calf) and Lucas Alario could also feature after training normally this week.

Match stats

Nkunku has scored, assisted or both in five of his last seven Bundesliga appearances.

Szoboslai's three Bundesliga goals and assists have all fallen against teams in the bottom third of the table.

Despite being only three points outside the top four after 12 matches, Leipzig have made their worst ever start to a Bundesliga season.

Schick has scored 27 goals in 60 Bundesliga appearances, including 10 across 22 whilst on loan at Leipzig in 2019/20.

Wirtz scored, assisted or both in his first seven Bundesliga appearances of the season, but has since gone three games without contributing a goal.

Leverkusen have lost three times at home in this season's Bundesliga, but are unbeaten on the road. Only leaders Bayern Munich (13) have claimed more points in away matches (12) at this juncture.

Probable line-ups

Leipzig: Martinez - Mukiele, Klostermann, Gvardiol - Henrichs, Adams, Kampl, Angelino - Nkunku, Forsberg - Silva

Out: Gulacsi (not included), Halstenberg (ankle), Olmo (hamstring), Orban (not included), Poulsen (not included), Saracchi (knee), Simakan (not included)

Doubtful: Tschauner (ill)

Coach: Jesse Marsch

Leverkusen: Hradecky (c) - Frimpong, Tah, Tapsoba, Sinkgraven - Andrich, Demirbay - Adli, Wirtz, Diaby - Schick

Out: Bakker (ankle), Baumgartlinger (knee), Fosu-Mensah (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Gerardo Seoane