DFB Pokal 2022-23: RB Leipzig vs Hoffenheim: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

RB Leipzig will face TSG Hoffenheim on Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena in DFB Pokal round of 16

RB Leipzig are having an incredible season and sits comfortably third in the Bundesliga, just two points behind leader Bayern Munich. Leipzig have gone unbeatable in their last five league games, and they have also qualified for the round of 16 of the DBF Pokal, where they will face floundering Hoffenheim.

While Hoffenheim is arriving off a 4-0 league defeat over Borussia Monchengladbach, they remain 13th in the table. The club has found it difficult in the league and will contend with a challenge from Leipzig in the DFB Pokal.

Kick-off: 1 Feburary; 10:30 pm IST, 5 pm GMT

RB Leipzig form (all competition): W-W-D-W-W

Hoffenheim form (all competition): L-D-L-L-L

Players to watch

RB Leipzig

Timo Werner

Werner's form has improved since his return to Leipzig, and he has been involved in every goal this season, contributing six goals in nine league appearances. He has recovered in good time for the club and has been an important member of it.

Hoffenheim

Andrej Kramaric

The Croatian has five goals and two assists in 17 Bundesliga games, is Hoffenheim's only continuous goal-scorer, and the team will depend solely on him in their DFB Pokal match against Leipzig.

Injury and team news

Dani Olmo was substituted against Stuttgart due to a hamstring injury that will keep him out until late February. Abdou Diallo, Peter Gulasci, and Nkunku will all be absent from the game. Yussuf Poulsen, Emil Forsberg, and Konrad Laimer are likely to start.

Meanwhile, Angelo Stiller, Kevin Vogt, Robert Skov, Kevin Akpoguma, Jacob Bruun Larsen, and Grischa Promel are all out due to injury.

Head-to-head stats

Matches: 14

RB Leipzig: 8

Draws: 3

Hoffenheim: 3

Predicted lineup

RB Leipzig predicted lineup (4-2-2-2):

Blaswich; Klostermann, Simakan, Halstenberg, Raum; Laimer, Haidara; Szoboszlai, Forsberg; Poulsen, Werner

Hoffenheim predicted lineup (3-4-1-2):

Baumann; Kabak, Brooks, Nsoki; Kaderabek, Ruday, Baumgartner, Angelino; Bischof; Dolberg, Kramaric

Prediction

This season, RB Leipzig has emerged as one of the strongest teams in the German leagues, and the squad looks to assert dominance against Bayern Munich in pursuit of the title. Werner and Nkunku are firing on every cylinder. While Hoffenheim will struggle to deal with a strong attacking side, and they have not managed to win in their last five games, it will be incredibly hard for them to conquer Leipzig.

Prediction: RB Leipzig 4-0 Hoffenheim

Telecast

India - Sony Ten 2 HD

UK - Star, Star +, Sky Sports

USA - ESPN+

Nigeria - SportyTV