RB Leipzig vs. Leverkusen preview: Can Leipzig go nine games without a defeat?
In what's usually a top of the table clash at the Red Bull Arena, Leverkusen face Leipzig, who are riding high after defeating Champions League winners Real Madrid midweek.
RB Leipzig
Leipzig bring momentum into Matchday 12 following their huge win over Real Madrid, where they inched closer to securing a spot in the Champions League round of 16. The Red Bull club haven't lost in their eight competitive matches, but are still adjusting to life under new coach Marco Rose.
Goalkeeper injury issues are plaguing the club yet again with Janis Blaswich ruled out with a calf injury. This means that new signing, 32-year-old Ørjan Nyland, will take over between the sticks with captain Peter Gulacsi still out.
Christopher Nkunku has already scored 12 goals this season, as he will likely join Timo Werner in a speedy offensive attack. Mohamed Simakan has really impressed recently at right-back and is creating lots of chances down the right wing.
Rose said that, "Leverkusen aren't in an easy spell at the moment. Despite that, you can see they're on the way up. You can see their development under Xabi Alonso, so we have to be aware."
Team News
Gulacsi, Lukas Klostermann and Konrad Laimer remain out with injuries, while Marcel Halstenberg should be a squad option after recovering from a sickness. Nyland will replace Blaswich in goal.
Bayer Leverkusen
Lukas Hradecky's late heroics earned Die Werkself a wild draw against Atletico in Madrid on Wednesday night. It's a huge confidence boost for the veteran keeper who's had a difficult, error-filled start to the campaign.
Xabi Alonso has consistently started a back three since he joined the club and he'll likely do so again on Saturday. Play will be emphasized from wing-backs Mitchel Bakker and Jeremie Frimpong, who leads Leverkusen in goals thus far.
It's been a mixed bag under their new trainer, as the company club are also dealing with serious injury issues. Leverkusen can't keep settling for draws in order to escape getting drawn back into the relegation places.
Alonso shared that, "Both teams had very intense games in the last weeks. Sometimes it's hard to bring the same intensity on the pitch in the next game. Exactly that is what will be important for us."
Team News
Sardar Azmoun and Florian Wirtz are still out dealing with injuries. Kerem Demirbay, Karim Bellarabi, Exequiel Palacios and Charles Aranguiz are question marks for the contest in midfield.