Bundesliga | Gameweek 14

Dec 15, 2024 at 6.30pm UK

Red Bull Arena

RB Leipzigvs.Frankfurt

Match preview

Leipzig became the first team to be knocked out of the Champions League, having lost all six of their European games this season, after conceding an 85th-minute winner against Villa.

Reports have since emerged that the club's hierarchy intend to keep Rose in charge for the start of the second half of the 2024-25 season, but they also suggest that former Bayer Leverkusen boss Roger Schmidt could be handed the role if results do not improve.

The Roten Bullen did beat Holstein Kiel 2-0 in their last Bundesliga match on 7 December, but in that game they created just two clear-cut chances, the same number as their 17th and penultimate opponents.

Rose's side have struggled in the final third all season, scoring one or fewer goals in five of their last nine matches.

Leipzig's form has been poor overall, winning two of their last three games but losing five of their previous six.

The hosts have a mixed record at the Red Bull Arena in recent weeks, having lost two, drawn one and won one of their last four home games, conceding eight and scoring six in the process.

Meanwhile, the Eagles will be disappointed to have allowed Bayern Munich to extend their lead at the top of the table to six points by failing to beat Augsburg.

However, boss Dino Toppmoller will not be too discouraged as his side are currently on course to collect 70 points, 23 more than they managed last season.

The Eagles were also beaten 3-2 by Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday, despite opening the scoring in the 18th minute, but they could have conceded more given the number of chances they created.

Toppmoller admitted his side deserved to lose in the DFB-Pokal on 4 December, when they were beaten 3-0 by Leipzig, telling reporters: "Leipzig deserved to win. They bought our advantage in the duels. We always have to bring the basics to the pitch from the start - we didn't do that".

Eintracht Frankfurt are winless in their last three matches, although they were victorious in their previous seven and have won four and drawn one of their last five Bundesliga games.

The visitors' away form is relatively strong, with four wins, one draw and one defeat in their last six league games, but it should be noted that they have lost four of their last five away from home in the top flight.

Recent Performance

RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:WLDLLW

RB Leipzig form (all competitions):LLLWWL

Eintracht Frankfurt Bundesliga form:DWWWWD

Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions):WWWLDL

Team News

Leipzig have a number of absentees to contend with, including defenders Castello Lukeba and David Raum.

Rose could start Willi Orban and Lutsharel Geertruida at centre-back alongside full-backs Lukas Klostermann and Benjamin Henrichs.

With midfielders Amadou Haidara, Forzan Assan Ouedraogo and Eljif Elmas also ruled out, and Arthur Vermeeren suspended, the hosts could go with Nicolas Seiwald and Kevin Kampl in midfield.

Strikers Xavi Simons and Yussuf Poulsen are unavailable, so expect Lois Openda to partner Benjamin Sesko.

The Eagles will be without centre-backs Aurele Amenda and Tuta, meaning Arthur Theate and Robin Koch could be called upon to provide cover for goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.

Midfielders Eric Ebimbe and Hugo Larsson are unlikely to make the matchday squad, so Ellyes Skhiri and Mahmoud Dahoud could start in a double pivot.

Talisman Omar Marmoush is certain to start up front, with Hugo Ekitike likely to join him.

Possible starting lineup

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Gulacsi; Klostermann, Orban, Geertruida, Henrichs; Baumgartner, Seiwald, Kampl, Nusa; Sesko, Openda

Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:

Trapp; Kristensen, Theate, Koch, Nkounkou; Gotze, Skhiri, Dahoud, Brown; Ekitike, Marmoush