St Pauli will aim to pick up their first points of the season on Sunday when they host RB Leipzig at Millerntor-Stadion in the Bundesliga.
The home team are second last in 17th place and have lost all three of their league matches so far, while the away side have seven points and are currently third in the table behind Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
Match preview
© Imago
Given that the hosts are only a newly-promoted side, it would be unfair to be overly critical of their performances in the top flight, but they have struggled to create many chances.
In fact, St Pauli have created the least xG, produced the fewest big chances and averaged the fewest shots on target per match of any team in the division.
Freibeuter der Liga lost 3-1 on September 15 last time out against Augsburg, and though they had 57% possession, they still conceded six big chances despite dominating the ball.
Manager Alexander Blessin has only won once in his four competitive games in charge, prevailing 3-2 after extra time against fourth-tier side Hallescher FC in the first round of the DFB Pokal on August 16.
Blessin's side have lost their last three matches by a cumulative score of 6-1, though they have won six of their last eight league games at home.
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Opponents RB Leipzig have started their top-flight season in strong form, and even managed to end Bayer Leverkusen's 35-game unbeaten Bundesliga run when they won 3-2 in their second league game on August 31.
Die Roten Bullen's win was even more remarkable considering they had to come back from a 2-0 deficit, though they followed up this good result with a 0-0 draw against Union Berlin on September 14 in their next league match.
Leipzig also lost 2-1 against Atletico Madrid on Thursday in their first game of their Champions League campaign, a result that will be particularly disappointing to manager Marco Rose given the Spanish side scored their winner in the 90th minute.
Rose's team had taken the lead against Atletico Madrid in the fourth minute thanks to Benjamin Sesko, but in truth, the Leipzig boss can have no complaints with the scoreline considering his side had just one shot on target after Sesko's goal.
Die Roten Bullen's defeat against Atletico was their first loss in their last 17 competitive matches, and was the first time they lost when scoring first since their 3-2 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen on January 20.
Leipzig have drawn four of their last six Bundesliga matches and have won nine and drawn five of their last 14 league games.
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Team News
![Alexander Blessin of St Pauli speaks to the team his team on August 20, 2024 [on August 23, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/34/alexander-blessin.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Alexander Blessin of St Pauli speaks to the team his team on August 20, 2024 [on August 23, 2024]")
© Imago
St Pauli have several injury absentees, including goalkeepers Sascha Burchert and Soren Ahlers.
Midfielder Conor Metcalfe is set to be out of action until early October, though Robert Wagner could return to the matchday squad.
Forwards Maurides, Morgan Guilavogui and Simon Zoller are also expected to miss this weekend's clash, but all three are scheduled to be available some time next month.
As for the visitors, Xaver Schlager has been ruled out until January next year due to a cruciate ligament injury.
Leipzig midfielders Forzan Assan Ouedraogo and Kevin Kampl will not feature on Sunday.
In midfield, Nicolas Seiwald and Arthur Vermeeren both made appearances against Atletico Madrid and are likely to compete for a spot alongside Amadou Haidara.
Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba are certain to start in central defence in front of goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.
St Pauli possible starting lineup:
Vasilj; Wahl, Smith, Mets; Treu, Irvine, Boukhalfa, Ritzka; Afolayan, Saad; Eggestein
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Henrichs, Orban, Castello, Raum; Nusa, Haidara, Vermeeren, Xavi; Sesko, Openda
We say: St Pauli 0-2 RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig have proven difficult to beat in the league, and it would be surprising if St Pauli managed to pose a significant challenge to the visitors given their poor showings so far this term.
Additionally, the hosts have struggled to create many opportunities in front of goal, and they could fail to score once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
