Bundesliga 2022-23: RB Leipzig vs Union Berlin: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The “Die Rotten Bullen” will be facing second-placed Union Berlin, at home, in the 47,069 capacity Red Bull Arena, in Leipzig, on Saturday.

RB Leipzig has won more points (31) in the Bundesliga since Rose took over than any other team in the same period. They've been able to showcase how good of a manager Marco Rose is, after a disappointing spell at Borussia Dortmund. They were unable to get a win against a sturdy FC Koln side away from home last week, but still find themselves in the Bundesliga title race, the closest one in years, with only four points of the top with 36 points from 19 matches.

Similarly, for Union Berlin, their record against Leipzig is something to be proud of having won their last four and now on course to achieve their fifth, and unprecedented victory this week. Urs Fisher's side has been the romantic story of the Bundesliga season, having come off relegation in 2020 and after finishing in a Europa League spot last year, no one expected them anywhere near the top half, let alone a point off leaders Bayern Munich with 39 points and they go into this match against fellow in-form side RB Leipzig, with the second best defence in the Bundesliga.

Kick-off: 

Thursday, 09-02-2023; 5:30 pm (GMT), 11:00 pm (IST),

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

Union Berlin form (all competitions): L-W-W-W-W

Players to watch

RB Leipzig

Konrad Laimer

Similar to his recent performances, he was stable and solid in midfield and helped his side achieve a clean sheet and a point last week against a resurgent Koln side. His form has been positive since scoring and assisting in the DFB-Pokal round of 16 matches against Hoffenheim recently, and his defensive intensity along with his lauded stamina is exactly what Marco Rose expects from his midfield men. He's sealed a summer move to Bayern Munich, and now he's playing like one in a Leipzig side who're still hopeful of chasing off the Bavarians to the league title, and the game against fellow chasers Union is the perfect game to show why Bayern have opted for his services next summer.

Union Berlin

Robin Knoche

The former Wolfsburg defender has been in splendid form in the recent game weeks in the Bundesliga, with literal game-winning performances, helping his side win four consecutive league wins on the spin. He scored the winning goal in the DFB-Pokal Round of 16 tie, against his former side Wolfsburg to help Union through to the quarterfinals. He continued that with another man-of-the-match performance against Mainz at home last match-day, as they edged a 2-1 victory.

Once touted as a successor to Mats Hummels, for the German National Team, Knoche seems to have finally found his best form and his performances have reflected that, helping Union to a Europa League place last season and now chasing Bayern for the Bundesliga title, this current campaign. He's played 84 games since his debut in 2020 and has only missed gametime twice. Such reliability alongside his composure on the ball and tactical understanding of playing in a back three besides Doekhi and Leite has helped Urs Fisher's side keep pace with giants Bayern in the title race.

Team and Injury News

RB Leipzig: Diallo (knee), Gulacsi (knee), Olmo (thigh), Orban (stem cell donation)

Union Berlin: Busk (ill), Schäfer (knock)

Head to Head

Matches: 12RB Leipzig: 6Union Berlin: 5Draw: 1

Predicted Lineups

RB Leipzig predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Blaswich - Henrichs, Klostermann, Gvardiol, Halstenberg - Szoboszlai, Laimer (c), Schlager, Forsberg - Silva, Werner

Union Berlin predicted lineup (3-5-2):

Ronnow - Doekhi, Knoche, Leite - Juranovic, Laidouni, Khedira (c), Haberer, Gießelmann - Becker, Behrens

Match Predictions

Leipzig are currently on a eighteen-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (14 wins, four draws), equalling their best-ever stop-flight team record, since their form between January and May 2019 under Ralf Rangnick. They alongside Borussia Dortmund have been the form side in the recent weeks in the Bundesliga and should have just enough about enough to get over the line against Union Berlin at home.

Prediction: RB Leipzig 2 - 1 Union Berlin

Telecast

India – SonyLIVUSA – ESPN+, FuboTVUK – Sky SportsNigeria – Canal+ Sport