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

RB Leipzig host Schalke in the final matchday, and could confirm their relegation with a win, after last week's win over Bayern, ruined a title challenge in Munich.

RB Leipzig probably caused the biggest upset in German football last week when they defeated Bayern Munich 1-3 at the Allianz Stadium in Munich and shifted the title momentum back in Borussia Dortmund's favour.

That extended Leipzig's winning streak in all competitions, including a 1- 5 away win at Freiburg(& making it to successive Cup finals), allowing them to recapture some of their post-World Cup forms from January which had catapulted them to a near-title challenge. Having consolidated the third spot, the final match represents finishing the season on a winning run and also as a warm-up to the DFB Pokal Final against Eintracht Frankfurt on June 3rd.

For Schalke, the season has been nothing short of unstable and is currently second bottom with little to no hopes of survival in the Bundesliga. For a club which used to routinely qualify for the Champions League earlier, it finds itself in the vicious cycle of relegation and promotion for a third year in a row.

However, the remotest of hopes still lie if they're to manage a miracle victory in their visit to Leipzig on Saturday and a few other results fall in their favour. Now the task is easier said than done as go up against the third-best attack in the Bundesliga in their hosts while having the third-worst defensive record in the league themselves. So defensive organisation and solidity will be crucial in their final hope for survival.

Kick-off: 

Saturday, 27th May 2023, 01:30 pm (GMT)

Saturday, 27th May 2023, 07:00 pm (IST),

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

Schalke form (all competitions): D-L-W-W-L

Players to watch out for

RB Leipzig: Dominik Sbozosolai

The attacking midfielder from Hungary has been the most creative midfielder for his RB Leipzig, who’ve looked at him to unlock difficult oppositions with deep defensive blocks in the Bundesliga. He’s created the team’s highest 14 big chances, 8.5 expected assists(xA), while also being involved in 16 goal contributions (G+A), which is second only to Nkunku. He scored the third and crucial penalty against Bayern last week and will look to continue his vein of form against Schalke in the final game week.

Schalke: Marius Bulter

The German wide forward is having a pretty decent league campaign given his side’s goal-scoring form throughout the season. Despite Schalke scoring only 31 goals (lowest in the league), Bulter has been responsible for 12(11G,1A) of those goals. He wasn't chosen since his last appearance against Bayern and should return to the line-up in place of suspend Terodde.

Match Facts

The last match between the sides was an away win for RB Leipzig, with the final score of 6:1.

Leipzig are on a four game winning run against Schalke.

Schalke haven't kept a clean sheet in last ten matches.

Head to Head

Matches: 11

RB Leipzig wins: 7

Schalke wins: 2

Draws: 2

Team & Injury News

Only goalkeeper Gulasci who’s out for the season. No other major injury concerns for RB.

Heekeren (cruciate ligament), Jenz (suspended), Kozuki (ankle), Terodde (suspended), Uronen (muscular) will miss out for Schalke.

Predicted Lineups

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

Blaswich - Henrichs, Orban (c), Gvardiol, Halstenberg - Szoboszlai, Laimer, Haidara, Olmo - Nkunku, Silva

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

Fährmann (c) - Brunner, van den Berg, Kaminski, Matriciani - Kral, Krauß - Karaman, Zalazar, Bülter - Polter

Match Prediction for RB Leipzig vs Schalke

It's the final game of the season and the home side are on a five game winning streak. Marco Rose would like his side to keep the momentum going and will generally choose a strong 11. Schalke will have to fight for their lives however their third worst defence will be the reason they get officially relegated and end up losing the game.

Prediction: RB Leipzig 3 – 2 Schalke

Telecast

India – SonyLIV app, Jio TV & Sony Ten Network

USA – ESPN+, FuboTV

UK – Sky Sports

Nigeria – Canal+ Sport, SportyTV