RB Leipzig vs Hertha Berlin: Bundesliga: Match Preview and Prediction

Hertha Berlin will travel to the Red Bull arena to play RB Leipzig in a fascinating encounter in the Bundesliga.

This season has proved to be poles apart for the two teams. Leipzig is once again in the reckoning for the Bundesliga crown, whereas Hertha Berlin is stuck in the mid table skirmish.

Leipzig currently sit third in the table with 54 points. They have won 15 matches and lost three.

The Old Lady, on the other hand, sits eleventh in the standings and a bad result here will further dampen their chances of a top four finish.

Borussia Dortmund losing to Bayern Munich earlier this game-week presents a glorious opportunity for Leipzig to leapfrog Dortmund to go second in the points table on goal difference.

Recent form

RB Leipzig:- WDDDW

Hertha Berlin:- LDDWW

Last time out

Leipzig scored four away goals as they ran riot in the Olympiastadion. Star striker Timo Werner scored a brace for the winning side as they ran out 2-4 winners.

Team News

For Leipzig, Denmark striker Yussuf Poulsen is ruled out with an ankle injury. Patrik Schick could slot in. Dayot Upamecano is available after suspension, while Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu is struggling with a back injury.

For Bruno Labbadia’s side, Salomon Kalou has been suspended after filming himself flaunting COVID-19 rules on video and Vedad Ibisevic could lead the attack in place of big money capture Krzyzstof Piatek.

Key Battles

Timo Werner vs Jordan Torunarigha

Werner is in the form of his life. The 24-year old has already scored an astonishing 24 goals in 26 appearances this season. On top of that, he has three hat-tricks to his name.

The German has plenty of pace to burn and one small error from Hertha’s backline will be surely punished by him.

The onus of handling Leipzig’s talisman will be on the shoulders of Jordan Torunarigha. His tough tacking approach and tenaciousness will come in handy in this task.

Werner likes to cut inside or make runs between defenders and Torunarigha will have to be on the lookout for it. I am afraid it’s going to be a long night for the German defender and this leaky Hertha defence.

Lukas Klostermann vs Dodi Lukébakio

The biggest attacking threat from this Hertha side will come in the form of Dodi Lukébakio. The Belgium international is in a rich vein of form and has already scored six goals and provided five assists in the Bundesliga.

Lukébakio will contest Lukas Klostermann for supremacy in the left side of the pitch. Lukébakio along with Brazilian Matheus Cunha will be given the task to deal maximum damage to the Leipzig’s backline. No matter what the result is, this surely will be a fascinating battle.

Prediction

Leipzig have won six of the seven Bundesliga meetings between the two sides. Also, the Red Bulls have chalked up 26 goals in total against Hertha, more than against any other team and this match averages a goal every 19 minutes.

Apart from this, Leipzig is also undefeated in the last ten home matches in the league and have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven  matches.

Hertha is also coming out of two very good wins after the return to action. They also have a strong away record in the league as they are undefeated in their last six away matches.

New coach Bruno Labaddia has had a dream start with two leisurely wins and they may give a tough fight to their superior rivals.

But, given Hertha’s leaky defence and Leipzig’s amazing goal scoring record against them, we predict that the Red Bulls will fly high.

Score Prediction:- RB Leipzig 3-1 Hertha Berlin