RB Leipzig vs. Augsburg – News and Probable Lineups

With their aspirations for a Champions League spot hanging in the balance, RB Leipzig will host Augsburg at Red Bull Arena on Saturday for a significant Bundesliga encounter.

Die Roten Bullen are aiming for only their second victory in five matches, while Fuggerstadter are looking to secure six wins in seven outings this weekend.

Match overview

Leipzig failed to secure their usual berth in UEFA’s top club competition this season, finishing seventh in the previous league campaign. Although Ole Werner appeared to be guiding the team toward a strong comeback, a rough start to 2026 has caused uncertainty regarding their goals.

Last Sunday, Die Roten Bullen commenced March by overturning a deficit to achieve a 2-1 win over Hamburgo SV, marking their first success since a 2-1 triumph against FC Koln on February 8, and just their fourth win of the year amid three losses and three draws.

This disappointing form has led Werner’s squad to slip to fifth in the standings, garnering 44 points, which places them two points behind fourth-placed Stuttgart and third-placed Hoffenheim, while just one point above sixth-placed Bayer Leverkusen.

The club, seeking to build some momentum by capturing consecutive league victories for the first time since early November, might typically feel optimistic about playing at home. However, given that the hosts have suffered two losses and two draws in their last four games at Red Bull Arena, fans may justifiably feel anxious.

To compound the issue, Leipzig has conceded 11 goals during this stretch of home matches, allowing at least two in each game, leading to the weakest defensive record among the top six teams.

In the meantime, Augsburg found themselves in a relegation battle prior to Manuel Baum’s appointment, but the interim head coach has revitalized the team, which is now among the most formidable sides in the Bundesliga.

When Fuggerstadter defeated Koln 2-0 on February 27, they extended their winning streak to three matches, following previous victories of 3-2 over Wolfsburg and 1-0 against Heidenheim within the preceding 12 days.

Adding to the growing belief among Baum’s players is the fact that the 2-0 loss to Mainz 05 earlier last month was their only defeat in the last eight matches, a run which includes five wins and two draws.

This impressive resurgence has propelled Augsburg to ninth in the Bundesliga, amassing 31 points and comfortably sitting nine points clear of the relegation zone, despite being 12 points adrift of the European qualification spots.

Eager to secure another notable victory this season, Fuggerstadter fans will be encouraged by their recent away form, which has seen them win two of their last three matches on the road.

Team News

Leipzig remains without goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi as he continues his recovery from a knee injury, so expect Maarten Vandevoordt to take the role between the posts, shielded by centre-backs Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba.

On either flank of the central defenders, David Raum and Ridle Baku are expected to feature in the absence of right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic, who is sidelined due to a back problem. Immediately in front of them, Nicolas Seiwald, Christoph Baumgartner, and Brajan Gruda are likely to form a midfield trio, as Xaver Schlager (groin) and Forzan Assan Ouedraogo (knee) are both unavailable.

Further forward, the 18-year-old Ayodele Thomas and 19-year-old Sani Suleiman, both wingers acquired during the winter transfer window, are out due to muscle and fitness issues respectively, though Yan Diomande, Romulo Cardoso, and Antonio Nusa should be available to start regardless.

For Augsburg, they are already short at the back without centre-backs Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Chrislain Matsima, sidelined with knee and thigh injuries respectively, but their situation worsened when Cedric Zesiger received a suspension due to a yellow card against Koln.

To cover these absences this weekend, Baum may opt for a defensive trio consisting of Arthur Chaves, Keven Schlotterbeck, and Noahkai Kai Daniel Banks, while Robin Fellhauer and Fabian Rieder are set to operate as wing-backs, although left wing-back Dimitris Giannoulis is a doubt due to an Achilles issue.

Meanwhile, Han-Noah Massengo and Kristijan Jakic are expected to start in midfield with loanee Yannik Keitel (knee) unavailable, and with 19-year-old striker Uchenna Ogundu still recovering from an ankle injury, Rodrigo Ribeiro is set to lead the attack, supported by Mert Komur and Alexis Claude-Maurice.

RB Leipzig probable starting XI:

Vandevoordt; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Gruda, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Diomande, Romulo, Nusa

Augsburg probable starting XI:

Damen; Chaves, Schlotterbeck, Banks; Rieder, Jakic, Massengo, Fellhauer; Komur, Claude-Maurice; Ribeiro

Typically, Leipzig would be favored to defeat Augsburg due to the difference in their league standings, but their recent performances—especially at home—have not been convincing.

In contrast, Fuggerstadter is entering this clash with strong momentum and will be optimistic about claiming yet another notable victory on Saturday.