RB Leipzig vs Hoffenheim – News and Probable Lineups

Red Bull Arena will serve as the setting for an important Bundesliga encounter on Friday, as RB Leipzig takes on the impressive Hoffenheim.

Die Roten Bullen aim to secure their third win in four matches, while Die Kraichgauer are eager to regroup with a significant victory this week.

Match overview

Leipzig has found themselves outside European competition for the 2025-26 season after finishing seventh in the German league last year, but under Ole Werner, the club is close to re-entering UEFA’s top tournament.

Having won only once in their four fixtures last month – a 2-1 victory over FC Koln – the fans of Die Roten Bullen may have been skeptical about their team’s prospects for the Champions League; however, two wins already in March have rejuvenated their campaign.

Werner’s squad began the month with a 2-1 triumph against Hamburger SV, followed by an identical scoreline defeat of Augsburg a week later, extending their unbeaten streak to four matches with draws against Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund.

Nevertheless, in their most recent match, Leipzig fell 1-0 on the road to Stuttgart, currently placed fourth, and how they react to that defeat when facing another Champions League contender on Friday remains uncertain.

Moreover, the stakes are heightened as Die Roten Bullen find themselves in fifth place with 47 points, three behind Stuttgart and their third-placed rivals; with a single win in their last five at Red Bull Arena, their supporters have reason to be anxious.

In contrast, Hoffenheim, managed by Christian Ilzer, has emerged as unexpected contenders for a top-four finish this season, having struggled to a 15th-place finish last year, raising some concerns as the season nears its conclusion.

With eight fixtures remaining, Die Kraichgauer sits third in the Bundesliga with 50 points, but their position is precarious as they only lead Stuttgart on goal difference and are just three points ahead of fifth-placed Leipzig, leaving their Champions League qualification far from assured.

Last Saturday, Hoffenheim managed only a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Wolfsburg, a result that was already disappointing and more so considering they have won only twice since the end of January.

Adding to their woes, they had also succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against St Pauli and drawn 2-2 with FC Koln in their last four matches, managing to secure victory only against bottom-placed Heidenheim with a 4-2 win.

With a total of five points gleaned from a possible 12 during this rough period, Friday’s match has become a necessity for the visitors, but with three wins, one draw, and one defeat in their last five away games, fans making the journey will be cautiously hopeful.

Team News

Leipzig will be without their first-choice goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi (knee) and right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic (back); as a result, Maarten Vandevoordt is expected to take his place in goal, with a defensive line that should include Ridle Baku, Willi Orban, Castello Lukeba, and David Raum.

In midfield, both Forzan Assan Ouedraogo and Viggo Gebel are ruled out due to knee injuries, with the latter likely to miss the remainder of the season, meaning Brajan Gruda, Nicolas Seiwald, and Christoph Baumgartner should feature in the starting XI.

Up front, left winger Ayodele Thomas is nursing a muscle injury, leading Werner to potentially select Yan Diomande, Romulo Cardoso, and Antonio Nusa in attack.

For Hoffenheim, they are grappling with several defensive absences, including right-back Valentin Gendrey and centre-back Koki Machida, both recovering from ankle and cruciate ligament injuries respectively, while centre-half Kelven Olagie Frees is doubtful due to illness.

In light of these issues, Robin Hranac and Ozan Kabak are anticipated to take up central defensive roles, supported by full-backs Vladimir Coufal and Bernardo.

On the attacking front, striker Adam Hlozek is sidelined with a calf injury, which means Fisnik Asllani is likely to lead the line, aided by Alexander Prass and Bazoumana Toure from the flanks.

RB Leipzig probable starting XI:

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

Hoffenheim probable starting XI:

Baumann; Coufal, Hranac, Kabak, Bernardo; Kramaric, Avdullahu, Burger; Prass, Asllani, Toure

Leipzig began March in good form, but after a critical loss to Stuttgart last time out, it remains to be seen if they have the fortitude to emerge victorious on Friday.

That said, Hoffenheim has faced difficulties in recent weeks, and while they have shown a solid away record, they would be wise to walk away with at least a point from their visit to Red Bull Arena.