Bundesliga | Gameweek 16

Jan 12, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

Red Bull Arena

RB Leipzig vs Werder Bremen

Match preview

Although the defeat to Bayern is not an unexpected result given their quality, the hosts will be disappointed with their performance at both ends of the pitch as they conceded almost 3.3 xG while creating just 0.14 xG after Benjamin Sesko scored the only goal in the second minute of the first half.

Rose's position as head coach had come under pressure after the team lost five and drew one of their six games between November 2 and November 30, conceding 15 times and scoring six goals.

While the Reds have won three of their last five matches, they have lost twice in that period and were knocked out of the Champions League after a 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa on 10 December.

Interestingly, Leipzig began their league campaign with six clean sheets in their first seven games, conceding just two goals in that time.

However, they have only managed to keep two clean sheets in eight Bundesliga games since then and are only the tenth most prolific team in the division, scoring 24 goals.

It should be noted that while Leipzig have lost two, drawn one and won one of their last four home games in all competitions, they have only lost once in their last 14 league games at the Red Bull Arena, winning nine.

Meanwhile, Werder Bremen had 16 shots on goal against only 10 for Union Berlin, and the victors may be concerned that they created five good chances to Union's four.

Boss Ole Werner praised his players' performance after the win, telling reporters: "We played excellent football with some great passing and all our goals were well worked. The fact that we did well in possession was also key today because Union defend well and haven't given their opponents many chances so far this season.

The Green and Whites have scored 26 goals and conceded 25 in the league this term, making them the eighth-best attacking and tenth-best defensive team in the top flight.

Werner's side have been in fine form, winning four of their last four matches, keeping three clean sheets and scoring eight goals in the process.

The visitors' away record has been largely excellent this season, as they have not only won their last two games away from home, but have also won seven, drawn one and lost just two of their 10 away matches.

Recent Performance

RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:DLLWWL

RB Leipzig form (all competitions):LWWLWL

Werder Bremen Bundesliga form:WLDWWW

Werder Bremen form (all competitions):LDWWWW

Team News

RB Leipzig will have a strong backline to choose from, with Lukas Klostermann and Willi Orban likely to start at centre-back, while defenders Benjamin Henrichs and Castello Lukeba are ruled out.

Midfielder Forzan Assan Ouedraogo will not be available until April, while Xaver Schlager is a doubt, so Nicolas Seiwald and Arthur Vermeeren could form a partnership in the middle of the park.

Striker Yussuf Poulsen is close to returning from a thigh injury, but there is no reason to believe that regulars Sesko and Lois Openda will not start on Sunday.

The visitors have a near full-strength squad, although they are still without full-back Felix Agu and striker Keke Topp.Expect Mitchell Weiser and Derrick Kohn to start either side of centre-backs Niklas Stark, Marco Friedl and Anthony Jung.

Elsewhere, Jens Stage and Senne Lynen could start in midfield behind a forward line of Marco Grull, Romano Schmid and Marvin Ducksch.

Possible starting lineup

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Gulacsi; Geertruida, Klostermann, Orban, Raum; Baumgartner, Seiwald, Vermeeren, Nusa; Sesko, Openda

Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:

Zetterer; Stark, Friedl, Jung; Weiser, Stage, Lynen, Kohn; Grull, Schmid; Ducksch