RB Leipzig vs St. Pauli – News and Probable Lineups

RB Leipzig has a chance to clinch their spot in the Champions League as they welcome St Pauli, who are battling relegation, for an exciting Bundesliga fixture at the Red Bull Arena this Saturday afternoon.

Die Roten Bullen need just one more victory to secure their return to European football, while their opponents are in dire need of points, having fallen into the automatic relegation zone.

Match overview

Saturday’s match is set to be the first significant event in Leipzig after Monday’s tragic car incident in the city center that resulted in two fatalities.

While the city is still in mourning, the players of RB Leipzig will honor the occasion by wearing black armbands during their match.

The fans of the club have opted to cancel their planned march and will instead fly black and white flags in place of their usual red and white ones.

Head coach Ole Werner appeared visibly emotional at the pre-match press briefing, but he does believe that Saturday’s ‘special atmosphere’ will be essential.

A win would ensure Champions League football for Leipzig next season, although Die Roten Bullen approach this encounter following a disappointing 4-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen.

This defeat not only halted their five-match winning streak but also marked the first occasion since January that Die Roten Bullen conceded four goals in a match.

Leipzig, boasting the third-best defense in the league, will strive for a solid defensive showing as they aim for their 12th Bundesliga clean sheet of the season.

As RB Leipzig eyes the possibility of competing against Europe’s elite in the Champions League, St Pauli faces a daunting threat of relegation to the second division.

Head coach Alexander Blessin observed his team slip into the automatic relegation zone last weekend after a 2-1 loss to Mainz 05.

The lack of intensity has been a concerning factor for St Pauli in recent outings, highlighted by their meager 40% tackle success rate in the opening half last Sunday.

The Hamburg club is currently enduring an eight-match winless streak in the Bundesliga, having only garnered three points since the beginning of March.

Blessin and his squad have not secured a victory since their 1-0 win against Hoffenheim back in February, with one of the primary reasons for their recent struggles being the significant shortage of goals.

The Kiezkicker have only managed to score four goals in the last two months, leaving them with the worst attacking record in the league.

RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:

W W W W W L

St Pauli Bundesliga form:

LDLDL

Team News

In terms of injuries, RB Leipzig will be without young attacker Ezechiel Banzuzi, who has missed the previous three fixtures due to a knee issue.

Castello Lukeba managed to play 45 minutes last weekend as he returned from a muscle injury, but his fitness remains uncertain ahead of Saturday’s match.

Defender David Raum picked up a minor groin injury nearly a month ago, yet the Leipzig captain is anticipated to make his comeback this weekend.

In other news, St Pauli has received encouraging updates regarding English forward Ricky-Jade Jones.

The 23-year-old has resumed training ahead of schedule and might be available for the final match of the season against Wolfsburg.

Additionally, Blessin is expected to be without the defensive pairing of Manolis Saliakas and Karol Mets.

Mathias Pereira Lage and James Sands will also be absent from St Pauli’s midfield as both continue to recover from knee and ankle injuries.

RB Leipzig probable starting XI:

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

St Pauli probable starting XI:

Vasilj; Ando, ​​Wahl, Nemeth; Pyrka, Irvine, Smith, Ritzka; Sinani, Fujita; Kaars

RB Leipzig will seek to wrap up their final home match of the season with a victory, and it seems unlikely that St Pauli will impede their progress.

The hosts are striving for Champions League football, and it is anticipated that they will possess too much quality for a St Pauli side wrestling with a feeble attack.