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VfL Wolfsburg – RB Leipzig
After the best teams in Europe faced each other in the international competitions during the week, the focus turns back to the Bundesliga next weekend. There, the 21st matchday is on the schedule and fans can look forward to the match between Wolfsburg and RB Leipzig, among others. Both teams were unconvincing last weekend and we’ll find out who we think will get back on track with a win in our Wolfsburg – Leipzig tip.
The Bundesliga is now 20 matchdays old and if we take a closer look at the table, we see the hosts from Wolfsburg in seventh place with 30 points. The Wolves have been waiting for a win for three league games now and the Lower Saxons are gradually missing out on keeping up. The Saxons from Leipzig also suffered a setback last weekend. For the first time in 18 games, the Saxons lost a match. They lost 1:2 against Union.
Wolfsburg – Leipzig Info
– Date & Time: 18.02.2023, 15:30 Uhr
– Venue: Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 21
– TV broadcast: Sky
Wolfsburg Form & Balance Check
The Wolves have an extremely tough task ahead of them on Saturday. The Lower Saxons almost have to win after the disappointing 0-0 draw at Schalke last matchday, otherwise international business will become ever more distant. They are currently five points behind fifth place. In their current form, it will be difficult for the Wolves to get anything against RB. The team from Lower Saxony recently went without a win four times in a row (three times in the league and also lost in the cup at Union). Especially the offensive, which was still so strong at the beginning of the year, somehow faltered. The VfL scored only four goals in the last four games.
Fearful opponent RB Leipzig
In their last home match, VfL hosted the record champions from Munich and in the end, the Wolves deservedly lost 4-2 against FC Bayern. After five home games in a row without defeat, it was then against Bayern. If we take a closer look at the home table in the Bundesliga, the performance of the Wolves looks rather manageable. They have only scored 15 points in their ten home games so far. That is only good enough for tenth place in the home table. With regard to Saturday, the Red Bulls are also one of the Lower Saxons’ fearful opponents. The Wolves have won only one of their last eleven games against RB.
Wolfsburg facts & analysis
– Since 4 games without a win
– Only 1 win from last 11 games against RB
– Last only 0-0 at Schalke
Leipzig form & balance check
At some point every series comes to an end, and the Red Bulls had to learn that last weekend. Leipzig had the Berliners from Köpenick as guests and against Union there was not much to get in the last few years. This time, too, RB had to admit defeat with a score of 1:2. This was the first time that coach Marco Rose’s team had lost in 18 games (in all competitions). RB was extremely susceptible to corners and free kicks. It was also noticeable that after Hennrichs had taken the lead, the Saxons somehow failed to bring any calm into their own game.
In the end, Leipzig should not complain about the defeat against Union. The defeat must be put out of their minds before the next match against VfL. The signs are not bad that RB will win against the Wolves. RB has only lost one of its last eleven games against the team from Lower Saxony.
Will Nkunku return to the starting eleven?
Many fans of the Red Bulls agree that at least two goals would have been possible with Christopher Nkunku against Union. The Frenchman trained with the team for the first time since his injury last week and coach Rose has been raising hopes in recent days that the midfielder, who moved to Chelsea FC in the summer, could play from the start against Wolfsburg. If we take a closer look at Nkunku’s bare numbers, we can see how important he is for RB. With 17 goals and four assists in 23 games, he is still the Saxons’ top scorer despite his long injury.
Leipzig facts & analysis
– Only 1 defeat from last 11 games against Wolfsburg.
– Last lost 1:2 against Union
– Only 1 defeat from last 18 matches
Predicted line-up – last update on 17 February 2023
As far as the Wolves line-up is concerned ahead of the upcoming game against RB Leipzig, there are no big surprises for us. Although Wolfsburg failed to pick up a win from their last four games, coach Niko Kovac will not change anything about his first eleven. Bornauw will play alongside Van de Ven in central defence. Arnold will close down the centre in midfield and Wimmer, Wind and Kaminski will be up front in attack.
The opponents from Leipzig, on the other hand, will be making a lot of changes. Simakan has to return to the bench after Orban’s return. Haidara will replace Laimer in midfield. Forsberg will move to the flanks and coach Rose will play with a back four instead of a three-man backline. Klostermann has to go on the bench because of that. Nkunku could make his comeback after months.
Wolfsburg – Leipzig direct comparison & Statistics
Both teams have faced each other in 18 games so far in their history and the direct comparison goes to RB. The Saxons won nine games, in addition to five draws and four defeats. Most recently, RB won twice in a row with 2-0.
– VfL Wolfsburg score an average of 2.39 goals in home matches and RB Leipzig score an average of 2.38 goals in away matches.
– RB Leipzig’s current performance in Bundesliga is better than VfL Wolfsburg’s performance.
– In their last match RB Leipzig won by 2 goals.
– Patrick Wimmer has the most assists on goal for VfL Wolfsburg with 5 assists. Dominik Szoboszlai (8) leads the way for RB Leipzig
