RB Leipzig return to domestic action after their European escapades with a home encounter against Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Die Roten Bullen were beaten by Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek, but Marco Rose's side put in a performance to be proud of, and they should take confidence into this clash.
Match preview
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A messy start to 2024 has seen Leipzig's push for Champions League qualification next season suffer.
Their defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie in that competition means their run in Europe is likely going to come to an end when the sides reconvene next month, putting even greater impetus on them improving domestically.
Rose's men lost their first three games of the calendar year, but after responding well to beat Union Berlin two weeks ago, they followed that up by dropping more points at Augsburg last weekend.
No team in the Bundesliga has conceded more goals than Leipzig in 2024 (11), as they have now kept just one clean sheet in 12 league matches.
That 2-2 draw with Augsburg has seen Leipzig fall three points behind Borussia Dortmund in the top four once again, after briefly closing the gap to just one after their win over Union.
Frustrations only rose higher in midweek when Leipzig failed to capitalise on multiple openings in their huge clash with Real Madrid, where they forced Los Blancos' Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin into nine saves across the 90 minutes.
The Leipzig faithful may have more belief heading into this clash, considering they are still yet to lose against Gladbach in their top-flight history - winning four and drawing three, including all of the previous three.
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Despite being on a run of just one win in eight games, Gladbach have shown promising signs, but they let themselves down massively last week in drawing with the league's bottom side SV Darmstadt 98 at home.
That means they remain 13th, just six points above the relegation zone, as they missed the chance to return to winning ways after some difficult fixtures.
Gladbach became just the fourth team to deny Bayer Leverkusen a victory last month, before taking the lead away at Bayern Munich until succumbing to a 3-1 defeat.
Gerardo Seoane's side also beat third-place Stuttgart on their return in what looked like a result that may kickstart a rise up the table, but that has not transpired, as they remain lingering towards the lower end of the table.
Team News
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Rose has a fully-fit Leipzig squad at his disposal ahead of this clash, so a similar side to the one that lined up against Real Madrid is likely.
There was just one personnel change in midweek, as Mohamed Simakan replaced Kevin Kampl, with Benjamin Henrichs moving into central midfield.
Elif Elmas will hope to be given an opportunity from the start, as the recent signing from Napoli has made all six of his appearances so far from the bench.
Gladbach were able to welcome Robin Hack and Jordan Siebatcheu back from injury last weekend, but neither player made it to the hour mark, with their fitness being managed.
Also closing in on returns are Tomas Cvancara up front and goalkeeper Jonas Omlin, as the latter has missed much of the season with a shoulder injury.
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Simakan, Klostermann, Orban, Raum; Kampl, Schlager; Simons, Dani Olmo; Sesko, Openda
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Nicolas; Scally, Freidrich, Elvedi; Honorat, Reitz, Weigl, Neuhaus, Netz; Plea, Siebatcheu
We say: RB Leipzig 3-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
Even though Leipzig have suffered some very frustrating results in 2024, the performances have often been there, and they should have the firepower to claim three points here.
Despite two goalless draws in three games, 16 of Gladbach's 21 league games this season have seen both teams score, and given Leipzig's offensive nature in addition to this, an entertaining encounter could be in store.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Andrew Delaney
