Gladbach vs RB Leipzig preview: Can Leipzig move back into the top four?
RB Leipzig will be aiming to move back into the Champions League places with a win on Monday, but they must overcome a Borussia Mönchengladbach side that have lost just one of their last five home games.
| Photo: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
Borussia Mönchengladbach
With three matches remaining, Gladbach sit in a disappointing 13th position.
Although there may not be much to play for, Adi Hütter will be challenging his side to finish the season on the front foot with a top half finish still a possibility.
After losing 3-1 to FC Köln in the Rhine Derby, Gladbach played out a dramatic 3-3 draw with Freiburg in their last outing.
Ramy Bensebaïni and Breel Embolo netted within 13 minutes of kick off to give Gladbach a two-goal advantage, but the game was turned on its head in the second half with Vincenzo Grifo, Christian Günter and Philipp Lienhart all scoring to give Freiburg a 3-2 lead. However, with all hope seemingly lost Lars Stindl nodded home in the third minute of stoppage time to rescue a point for Die Fohlen.
Despite snatching a point in their most recent encounter, Hütter will be concerned that his side have conceded three goals in their last two matches, leaving Gladbach with the third-worst defence in the Bundesliga.
The hosts can at least take confidence from the fact that they have scored in each of their last eight games.
Team News
Lászlo Bénes misses out for the hosts due to a thigh injury, while a hamstring problem will prevent Marcus Thuram from featuring.
RB Leipzig
Fresh off a 1-0 win over Rangers in the Europa League, Leipzig will turn their attention back to their Champions League push.
Leipzig enter Monday's contest in fifth position after Freiburg's win over Hoffenheim on Saturday resulted in Die Roten Bullen dropping out of the top four. However, a win over Gladbach would lift Domenico Tedesco's side back into the Champions League places.
With their last three fixtures coming against teams in the bottom six of the table, Leipzig will be hopeful that they can clinch maximum points in their remaining contests.
Monday's visitors saw their nine-game unbeaten league run come to an end after losing to Union Berlin in their most recent Bundesliga encounter, but they still head into the Gladbach contest in a rich vein of form after winning five of their last six matches in all competitions.
With Gladbach struggling defensively, Leipzig will look to take advantage, especially as they are currently the fourth-highest scorers in the Bundesliga this season.
Team News
Amadou Haidara is ruled out due to a knee injury, but the hosts will welcome back Kevin Kampl, Willi Orban and Mohamed Simakan after the trio missed the first leg against Rangers through suspension.