Bundesliga: Leipzig and Leverkusen Slated in Exciting Mid-Table Clash

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen

RB Leipzig plan to maintain their steady rise at the Bundesliga table upon as they’ll host Bayer Leverkusen in a thrilling affair at the Red Bull Arena.

After a slow start to the 2021/22 season, the Red Bulls are finally getting their rhythm since they’ve moved up to seventh at the table with 18 points. However, they still have ways to go in trying to achieve their main objective.

Given their meteoric rise in recent years, a Champions League spot for next year is their ideal destination and that’s where their visitors in Bayer Leverkusen are currently in since they’re at fourth place with 21 points.

The Red Bulls have had Die Werkself’s number in recent Bundesliga meetings which should give the latter some motivation to win in this contest.

Without further ado, read on below as SBOTOP examines these two squads in today’s match preview.

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Talking Points

Christopher Nkunku has been solid for RB Leipzig

With Yussuf Poulsen sidelined due to a calf injury sustained in the previous international break while playing for Denmark, RB Leipzig are fortunate to have found someone who can provide them the goals night in and night out.

That man is Christopher Nkunku, who has scored or assisted in five of his last seven Bundesliga appearances, and he’ll be the man to watch out for in the Bundesliga 2021 highlights reel.

Nkunku is agile and he has good control with the ball at his feet – which are qualities that make him one of the hottest young commodities in Europe – so it’s not surprising to learn that clubs like Manchester City were interested in his services.

The 24-year-old winger is the Red Bulls’ leading scorer with 12 goals and four assists, and he’ll be joined by the likes of Emil Forsberg, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Andre Silva – who combine for 14 goals and seven assists.

RB Leipzig come into this game searching for inspiration since they’ve had an up-and-down week. They are on the back of a 2-0 defeat at Hoffenheim last Saturday, but they bounced back with a 5-0 demolition of Club Brugge in the Champions League.

Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig thrash Brugge 5-0 after rampant first half in the UEFA Champions League — RB Leipzig’s Andre Silva with coach Jesse Marsch after their Champions League match vs Club Brugge

Furthermore, the Red Bulls will dedicate this fixture to Jesse Marsch and Pete Gulacsi as both won’t be available following their positive COVID-19 tests last Wednesday.

Bayer Leverkusen aim to hold down their top four spot

Bayer Leverkusen aim to shake off their inconsistency as they’ll try to string together a couple of wins with several mid-table clubs closing in at their spot at the table.

After going winless in their last four league games, Bayer Leverkusen earned a much-needed win over Bochum and it was followed up by a 3-2 win over Celtic yesterday in the Europa League group stage which confirmed their berth to the Final 16.

Compared to RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen are the healthier squad – particularly up front where their leading scorers are all available.

Forwards Patrik Schick, Florian Wirtz, and Moussa Diaby have accounted for 22 goals total, while midfielder Robert Andrich has five of his own.

History

The Red Bulls have been superb against Die Werkself lately, although it was under at a different coach in Julian Nagelsmann – who is now at the helm for the defending champions Bayern Munich.

Prior to this weekend, RB Leipzig have lost only once in their last 10 Bundesliga games against Bayer Leverkusen (W5, D4) and they’re unbeaten in their last six. The Red Bulls have scored at least once every time in that span.

However, Die Werkself are undefeated away from home in their last six league fixtures and they’re the only club who has yet to suffer an away loss this term (W3, D3).

Their last league encounter took place in January where RB Leipzig came away with a 1-0 victory as Christopher Nkunku’s 51^st-minute goal proved to be the difference.

Betting Tip

	RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen	1X2 Draw @ 3.75
	November 29, 00:30 (GMT+8)

RB Leipzig are the installed favourites in this Sunday’s fixture according to the pre-match Bundesliga 2021 odds. Jesse Marsch’s side is priced at 1.87 to win, while a victory for Bayer Leverkusen is pegged at 3.70.

Despite their disparity in the 1×2 market, we believe that both sides can gain points for this contest which is why we’re leaning towards recommending a draw at 3.75.

Both are experiencing similar forms and they are fresh from their midweek games in Europe so fatigue might play a factor here. They are also at par with each other in terms of overall quality and they should be able to cancel each other out.