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

Latest

Nkunku was on target yet again during the week as Leipzig claimed a 2-2 draw at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. The 23-year-old opened the scoring inside eight minutes to take his tally in all competitions this season to 10 in 16 games, in addition to two assists. Andre Silva got the nod up top during the week but Yussuf Poulsen is first choice in the league, where he's scored in the last two against Eintracht Frankfurt (1-1) and Greuther Fürth (4-1) to make it six games unbeaten in the Bundesliga for Die Roten Bullen. However, coach Jesse Marsch lost defensive leader Willi Orban during the week after he went off with a thigh injury, meaning a reshuffle is needed - but he can most likely stick with his now preferred three-man backline as Leipzig attempt to close the nine-point gap to their opponents in second.

Dortmund have risen to second spot - just a point behind Bayern Munich coming into the weekend - despite the fact that nine-goal top scorer Haaland has missed three of the last four league fixtures. Yet BVB have won all four to show they do have further options. Thorgan Hazard has scored three times across the last three competitive outings, while academy graduate Steffen Tigges has also been on target and started Wednesday's European defeat to Ajax. Die Schwarzgelben lost Marius Wolf to injury in that game, so Felix Passlack is expected to cover on the left of defence. Marco Rose has regularly switched between a back three and four depending on needs. Marin Pongracic will join Mats Hummels and Manuel Akanji in defence if it is indeed a three again.

Match stats

Nkunku ranks in the league's top 10 for goals (four), shots (27), passes to a shot (20), fouls won (19), top speed (35.54 km/h) and sprints (300 - league best).

All four of Leipzig's wins this season have come at the Red Bull Arena, scoring 17 goals in the process. Nkunku has four of them.

Leipzig are unbeaten in six league outings (W3, D3) but are already nine points off Dortmund in second.

Haaland has averaged a goal or assist every 45 minutes in the Bundesliga this season. His next goal will be his 50th. He's also got braces in his last three appearances against Leipzig, including the DFB Cup final last year.

Marco Reus has three goals and six assists in his seven competitive games against Leipzig and is yet to taste defeat in this fixture.

BVB are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with RB in all competitions (W6, D2) going back to a 3-2 loss at home in October 2017.

Probable line-ups

Leipzig: Gulacsi (c) - Mukiele, Simakan, Gvardiol - Adams, Haidara, Kampl, Angelino - Nkunku, Forsberg - Poulsen

Out: Halstenberg (ankle), Klostermann (thigh), Orban (thigh), Saracchi (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Jesse Marsch

Dortmund: Kobel - Akanji, Hummels, Pongracic - Meunier, Bellingham, Witsel, Passlack - Brandt, Reus (c) - Hazard

Out: Can (muscular), Dahoud (knee), Guerreiro (muscular), Haaland (hip), Morey (knee), Reyna (thigh), Schmelzer (knee), Schulz (muscular), Wolf (thigh)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Marco Rose