SM
Aston Villa vs. Chelsea: 4 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
W
Bundesliga | Gameweek 21
Feb 18, 2023 at 2.30pm UK
 
LL

Wolfsburg
0 - 3
RB Leipzig


Bornauw (90+1')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Forsberg (14'), Laimer (85'), Szoboszlai (90+2')
Raum (65')

Preview: Wolfsburg vs. RB Leipzig - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Wolfsburg vs. RB Leipzig - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Bundesliga clash between Wolfsburg and RB Leipzig, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Both teams will be aiming to return to winning ways when Wolfsburg host RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Leipzig were beaten by Union Berlin last weekend, while the Wolves were held by Schalke 04.


Match preview

Having amassed a six-match winning streak in the Bundesliga either side of the World Cup break, Wolfsburg have since failed to win any of their last four matches in all competitions.

Their dreams of winning a second DFB-Pokal in the club's history were ended by Union Berlin at the last-16 stage, with league defeats to Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich sandwiching their cup exit.

Niko Kovac's side did at least put an end to their losing run by claiming a point away to Schalke last Friday, with the Bundesliga's bottom-ranked team drawing 0-0 for the third consecutive match in another low-key encounter.

In truth, the Wolves were arguably fortunate to return from Gelsenkirchen with a point having seen the hosts fire in 20 shots and enjoy more possession throughout the encounter. Kovac will be more than aware that his side will require a superior performance in order to avoid defeat against Leipzig this weekend.

That said, Leipzig were ousted from the Bundesliga's top four last weekend after surrendering a 1-0 lead against their Champions League qualification rivals Union Berlin at the Red Bull Arena.

Benjamin Henrichs had provided the hosts with a dream start by opening the scoring after 24 minutes, but second-half strikes from Janik Haberer and Robin Knoche turned the match on its head as Leipzig fell seven points behind league leaders Bayern.

The defeat also brought an end to Die Roten Bullen's remarkable 18-match unbeaten run under Marco Rose, who had not lost in charge of Leipzig since suffering a 3-0 defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach in mid-September.

Having also failed to win in their previous game away to FC Koln, the 46-year-old will be hoping to see his side return to their best against Wolfsburg, especially ahead of hosting Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Wolfsburg Bundesliga form:


Wolfsburg form (all competitions):


RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:


RB Leipzig form (all competitions):



Team News

Wolfsburg appear to be in the enviable position of having no injury or suspension concerns ahead of facing Leipzig, with Kovac likely to pick the same starting XI which drew at Schalke.

Lukas Nmecha was not utilised from the bench despite the scoreline remaining goalless at Veltins Arena, indicating that the club are being patient before fully throwing the Germany striker back into action after he missed out on featuring for his country at the World Cup due to a serious knee injury.

Leipzig, meanwhile, will remain without Abdou Diallo, Peter Gulasci and Dani Olmo, but Christopher Nkunku could return to their matchday squad after recovering from a knee injury.

Nagelsmann is likely to return to a back four after their five-man defence against Union Berlin failed to create a platform for success last time out, with Emil Forsberg potentially set to be called upon from the start.

Willi Orban was surprisingly left out against Urs Fischer's side, but the Hungary international should return to captain the visitors from the heart of the defence.

Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:
Casteels; Baku, Bornauw, Van de Ven, Otavio; Svanberg, Arnold, Gerhardt; Wimmer, Wind, Kaminski

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Blaswich; Henrichs, Orban, Gvardiol, Raum; Laimer, Schlager; Szoboszlai, Forsberg; Silva, Werner


We say: Wolfsburg 1-1 RB Leipzig

With both sides struggling for form in recent weeks, we can envisage a share of the spoils in Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Although Leipzig undoubtedly possess more individual quality than their forthcoming opponents do, Kovac's side have become increasingly tough to beat, while they have the advantage of playing without European football this season.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__506818 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2023-02-16 23:19:14:
html db last update - 2023-02-16 12:26:08 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
AC Milan 'step up pursuit of Liverpool's Naby Keita'
Wasteful Man United held by Burnley as top-four hopes evaporate
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CBayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen31256077225581
2Bayern MunichBayern31223689385169
3Stuttgart31204770383264
4RB Leipzig31195773353862
5Borussia DortmundDortmund31169659392057
6Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt31111284742545
7Freiburg31117134355-1240
8Augsburg31109124852-439
9Hoffenheim31116145563-839
10Werder Bremen31107144150-937
11Heidenheim30810124352-934
12Wolfsburg3197153751-1434
13Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach30710135360-731
14VfL BochumVfL Bochum31612133762-2530
15Union BerlinUnion Berlin3085172650-2429
16Mainz 05Mainz30512133148-1727
17FC Koln30410162353-3022
18SV Darmstadt 98Darmstadt3038193072-4217
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Chelsea 'ready to sell four home-grown stars this summer'

1

C'

Huddersfield all but relegated from Championship

2

HA

Team News: Chelsea make three changes for Aston Villa game

NEW

3

TN

'It was a mistake, I apologise' - Amorim regrets holding talks with PL club

NEW

4

'W

Arsenal 'leading Man United, Man City in race for Brighton attacker'

5

A'

Liverpool 'losing patience with South American attacker'

6

L'

Antonio Conte 'agrees three-year deal with Italian giants'

7

AC

Liverpool 'send scouts to watch Arsenal-linked striker'

8

L'

Chelsea 'likely to receive points deduction for PSR breach'

9

C'

Man United centre-back wanted by Turkish giants?

10

MU


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .