RWE vs RB Leipzig – News and Probable Lineups

As the DFB-Pokal’s second round unfolds, third-tier Rot-Weiss Essen will be gearing up to face the fluctuating form of RB Leipzig at the Stadium on Hafenstrasse this Tuesday.

RWE enters this fixture in solid form, aiming for their third victory in four matches, while the top-flight club Die Roten Bullen come in as the favorites, hoping to carry momentum from their weekend win.

Match overview

Managed by Uwe Koschinat, RW Essen has had a robust season in the 3. Liga, currently contending for promotion, positioned third in the standings.

On Friday, RWE secured a 1-0 victory against Jahn Regensburg, thanks to Lucas Brumme’s back-post header occurring just 15 minutes into the match.

This success means Koschinat’s squad has lost only once in their past 14 matches across all competitions, achieving 10 wins since a 5-2 loss to Saarbrucken on August 9.

RW Essen reached this stage after defeating St Pauli 2-0 in the first round on August 23, and overcoming the second-tier side—relegated from the Bundesliga at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season—will significantly boost the underdogs’ morale ahead of Tuesday’s encounter.

Moreover, the hosts have yet to lose at the Stadion an der Hafenstrasse this season, having won seven matches and drawing one.

On the other hand, Leipzig has experienced a shaky start under Martin Demichelis, who sees this match as an excellent chance to garner some momentum.

Die Roten Bullen demolished Elversberg 4-0 on Saturday, with young forward Tidiam Gomis scoring early in the second half, followed by Romulo who netted twice off the bench, along with substitute Christoph Baumgartner adding another.

This triumph continued the Saxons’ strong home record at Red Bull Arena, where they have won all five matches this season while not conceding, scoring 18 goals in the process.

Nevertheless, Demichelis’s side has faced difficulties away, losing all five of their road matches since defeating Eintracht Trier 6-0 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on August 22.

Leipzig will be eager to end this losing streak against lower league opposition; a victory could provide a much-needed boost in confidence, whereas an unexpected loss could harm morale and intensify the pressure on Demichelis.

Team News

RW Essen will be lacking in the attacking department for this match, as forwards Semir Telalovic (shoulder) and Jaka Cuber Potocnik (outer ligament), along with wingers Marvin Obuz (ankle) and left winger Aiman Dardari (muscle), are all likely to be absent.

In their absence, Marek Janssen might take the lead position in the attack, supported by Noah Pesch, Dickson Abiama, and Lucas Brumme.

Midfielders Tony Menzel and Paul Popperl are also sidelined due to ligament injuries, yet Ruben Reisig is expected to team up with Janne Sietan in midfield.

Additionally, center-back Max Geschwill remains out as he recuperates from a knee injury, allowing Ben Huning and Jose-Enrique Rios Alonso to likely feature at the core of RWE’s defense.

For Leipzig, several players may return to the starting lineup after adjustments in the match against Elversberg, but striker Marc Guiu is still recovering from a hamstring issue, while midfielder Assan Ouedraogo is on the mend after shoulder surgery, and versatile Christopher Nkunku is a doubt with an adductor problem.

Similarly, 20-year-old Tidiam Gomis had to be substituted due to cramp in the previous match and might not be fit to participate, which could see Romulo starting, supported by Andrija Maksimovic, Brajan Gruda, and Antonio Nusa.

Center-back Castello Lukeba was a last-minute withdrawal from the squad facing Elversberg due to illness; he should be available, yet Maxime Esteve will step in next to Willi Orban if he misses out.

Rot-Weiss Essen probable starting XI

gold; Kostka, Huning, Alonso, Celebi; Sietan, brushwood; Pesh, Abiama, Brumme; Janssen

RB Leipzig probable starting XI

Vandevoordt; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Reitz, El Aynaoui; Maksimovic, Gruda, Nusa; Romulo

RW Essen has been performing well overall, but they will be considered the underdogs owing to their tier-three status.

However, Leipzig has struggled away from home this season, and even if they emerge victorious, it is unlikely they will maintain a clean sheet given their superiority.