Bayer Leverkusen vs. RB Leipzig preview: Two teams targeting UCL qualification

Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen are involved in a fierce battle to secure a top-four finish, with die Werkself sitting in sixth place and two points adrift of Hoffenheim and Stuttgart in fifth and fourth spot respectively. Kasper Hjulmand’s side have kept themselves firmly in the Champions League race with a return of three wins from their last four games, including a 2-1 success in their recent derby clash against FC Köln last weekend, thanks to a Patrik Schick brace. 

After enjoying success at the RheinEnergieStadion, Leverkusen will now return home to the BayArena, where they have won just one of their previous four league outings. Their most recent home league outing ended in a 2-1 defeat to Augsburg, which represented their first Bundesliga loss at the Bay Arena since January. 

The hosts can take confidence from the fact they prevailed via a 3-1 scoreline in December’s reverse meeting with RB Leipzig. They will be desperate to produce a similar result on Saturday, knowing that they have the chance to gain points on at least one of Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, with the two sides set to lock horns at the ProZero Arena this weekend.

Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon the injured duo of Lucas Vázquez and Martin Terrier. In positive news, goalkeeper Mark Flekken is set to return after missing the narrow win over Köln.

Predicted lineup: Flekken; Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba; Culbreath, Palacios, García, Grimaldo; Maza, Tella; Schick

RB Leipzig 

Leipzig are in a strong position to secure Champions League qualification after winning seven of their last eight matches, including each of their last five. Die Roten Bullen eased past Union Berlin in their most recent outing at the Red Bull Arena. Max Finkgräfe, Rômulo Cardoso and Ridle Baku all got on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory, making it four consecutive wins for Leipzig on home turf.

That result has left the third-placed side five points clear of Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, and six points better off than Saturday’s opponents. With only three games left to play, Leipzig know that they can secure a top-four finish with a win at the BayArena. 

They will ultimately be hoping for a repeat of their most recent away clash against Leverkusen in August 2024, which saw them fight back from two goals down to seal a 3-2 victory. Leipzig now have the chance to claim back-to-back away wins over Leverkusen for the first time. 

Team News

Leipzig are without the services of Leopold Zingerle, Suleman Sani, Viggo Gebel and Ezekiel Banzuzi.

Predicted lineup: Vandevoordt; Baku, Orbán, Lukeba, Raum; Schlager, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Diomande, Nusa, Rômulo