Verdict: RB Leipzig win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to take a giant leap towards booking their Champions League return, RB Leipzig will welcome Union Berlin to the Red Bull Arena.
RB Leipzig
Starting with the hosts, putting in another dominant display last weekend as they stormed their way to a thumping 3-1 victory away at Eintracht Frankfurt, RB Leipzig are in the midst of what has become quite the purple patch. Opening Friday’s showdown sat in bronze medal position, Ole Werner’s high-flying squad will be looking to take a giant leap towards punching a lucrative Champions League return. Heading into March’s international break with a season-best performance as they claimed a 5-0 romp at home against Hoffenheim, Leipzig have now won all of their previous four consecutive Bundesliga appearances by an aggregate score of 11-2. Continuing to impress with their free-scoring displays in the final third, Friday’s hosts will be smelling another golden opportunity when they return to the Red Bull Arena.
RB Leipzig Team News
Both dealing with respective knee injuries, RB Leipzig will be without the duo of Dutch youngster Ezechiel Banzuzi and academy graduate Viggo Gebel. Likewise, Hungarian international Willi Orban missed out with a reported hip issue against Eintracht Frankfurt last week and Werner’s side are once again sweating over the fitness of the 33-year-old.
Bagging consecutive Bundesliga strikes and reportedly attracting plenty of heavyweight European interest, 19-year-old sensation Yan Diomande will play a leading role in attack. Settling for a spot on the bench last week, German international David Raum could be handed a full recall.
Union Berlin
As for the visitors, while Union Berlin might have all but mathematically extended on their Bundesliga status for another campaign, the Irons Ones are limping their way over the finishing line. Last seen getting hit with a 2-1 defeat at home against Wolfsburg, interim boss Marie-Louise Eta has a real job on her hands in the German capital. Heading into March’s fortnight interval with a routine 4-0 drumming against newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, Friday’s guests have registered just one-point from their previous four appearances. Hit with a 3-1 loss when they welcomed RB Leipzig to town for their reverse Bundesliga showdown back on December 12th, Berlin will be bracing themselves for another stern top-flight examination when they travel to the Red Bull Arena this weekend.
Union Berlin Team News
While South Korean midfielder Woo-Yeong Jeong might have once again missed out against Wolfsburg last weekend, Berlin are hopeful that the one-time Bayern Munich youngster could make a timely return here. However, Danish striker Robert Skov remains on the sidelines with a long-term muscle injury.
Left as an unused substitute last week, former West Ham loanee Alex Kral could be handed a full recall in the middle of the park. Bagging a fifth Bundesliga strike of the season last time out, Scotland international Oliver Burke will spearhead Berlin’s attack.
RB Leipzig vs Union Berlin Key Factors to Consider
- When RB Leipzig and Union Berlin met for their reverse Bundesliga showdown back on December 12th, Friday’s hosts claimed a 3-1 victory in the capital.
- Leipzig have won their previous four consecutive Bundesliga appearances by an aggregate score of 11-2.
- Likewise, the Red Bulls have won their last three straight matchups in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 8-1.
- Union Berlin have registered just one-point from their last four Bundesliga matchups.
- Friday’s guests have lost five of their previous six showdowns outside of the capital.
Conclusion
Looking to take a giant leap towards officially punching their lucrative Champions League return, RB Leipzig are enjoying quite the flurry. Including a dominant 3-1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt last time out, Friday’s hosts have won each of their previous four consecutive Bundesliga appearances by an aggregate score of 11-2. Hitting top gear at a crucial time, Leipzig will certainly be smelling another golden opportunity this weekend. Securing another 3-1 win when they met Union Berlin for their reverse Bundesliga battle on December 12th, we are backing a similar outcome here.
Verdict: RB Leipzig win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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