In each side's third Bundesliga game of the 2024-25 season, RB Leipzig are set to host Union Berlin at Red Bull Arena on Saturday.
The home side have made a strong start to their campaign and are in third place with six points after two matchweeks, while the visitors are fifth with four points following their 1-0 win against newly-promoted St Pauli on August 30.
Match preview
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The hosts did the seemingly impossible and beat Xabi Alonso's all-conquering Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 last time out on August 31.
Leverkusen were unbeaten in 35 matches in the Bundesliga prior to their loss against Die Roten Bullen and last lost in the league on May 27, 2023 against Bochum.
RB Leipzig's win was even more remarkable considering they were 2-0 down after Alejandro Grimaldo scored Leverkusen's second in the 45th minute, but a goal from Kevin Kampl in the seventh minute of first-half stoppage time kept Leipzig in the game.
Lois Openda scored his first of the match in the 57th minute to level the scoreline, and his second in the 80th minute gave Die Roten Bullen their second league win of the season.
Boss Marco Rose will be delighted that his side have been able to continue their strong Bundesliga form, with his club having won nine and drawn four of their last 13 top-flight games.
Rose's team are also unbeaten in their last eight home matches at Red Bull Arena, winning six times and keeping six clean sheets.
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Opponents Union Berlin had just 40% possession in their win last time out, but still managed to produce 11 shots and two big chances in comparison to St Pauli's eight shots and one big chance.
Benedict Hollerbach scored the winner in the 34th minute when St Pauli tried to defend a corner, but a poor clearance allowed the forward to strike and score from the edge of the box.
The Schlosserjungs parted company with long-term boss Urs Fischer in November 2023, and replaced him with Nenad Bjelica, but he himself was replaced by Bo Svensson in May 2024.
Svensson's team began the 2023-24 campaign with two consecutive league wins, but then lost the next nine Bundesliga matches.
Union Berlin are unbeaten in their last three league games and have collected seven points from those fixtures, more than they had done in the previous 11 Bundesliga matches.
The visitors have been poor away from home for some time and have won just once in their last 17 league games on the road, losing 11 times and drawing on five occasions.
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Team News
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Centre-back Willi Orban is suspended for the hosts, while midfielders Xaver Schlager and Assan Ouedraogo are both out due to knee injuries, though the latter could return later this month.
RB Leipzig could name a defensive line of Benjamin Henrichs, Lukas Klostermann, Castello Lukeba and David Raum in front of goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.
Meanwhile, the visitors will be without Josip Juranovic and Kevin Volland due to respective ankle and knee issues, though both are expected to return in early October.
Goalkeeper Yannic Stein will also be unavailable for selection for Union Berlin, and forward Ivan Prtajin is a doubt due to a muscular injury.
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Henrichs, Klostermann, Castello, Raum; Baumgartner, Haidara, Kampl, Xavi; Openda, Seko
Union Berlin possible starting lineup:
Ronnow; Doekhi, Vogt, Leite; Trimmel, Khedira, Tousart, Rothe; Hollerbach, Jordan, Vertessen
We say: RB Leipzig 3-0 Union Berlin
While Svensson has made a good start to life as Union Berlin boss, it is difficult to look past his side's poor away record.
It would not be surprising if RB Leipzig were to keep another clean sheet at home, and continue their unbeaten streak at Red Bull Arena.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
