Prediction: RB Leipzig vs Eintracht Frankfurt

Verdict: RB Leipzig win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Luckster

Hoping to mark their return from the festive break with a Bundesliga statement, RB Leipzig will welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the Red Bull Arena on Saturday afternoon.

RB Leipzig

Starting with the hosts, while RB Leipzig might have been disappointed after signing off 2023 with a 1-1 stalemate against Werder Bremen, Marco Rose’s men were enjoying a bright Bundesliga flurry over the final few weeks. Although the Red Bulls might already be seeking a real miracle in their bid to claim a maiden top-flight crown, the former Borussia Dortmund boss has seen his squad lose just one of their previous seven Bundesliga appearances. With their domestic romp highlighted by a 3-2 victory away at Dortmund back on December 9th, Leipzig will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity here. Springing a major Champions League upset last month as they punched a knockout stage ticket, Saturday’s hosts will also be excited by their continued success on home soil. In fact, Rose’s side have won all of their last six showdowns at the Red Bull Arena by an aggregate score of 19-5.

Team News

Unable to recover from an extended shoulder issue during the festive break, RB Leipzig will once again be without the services of Spanish international Dani Olmo this weekend. Likewise, not featuring since sustaining a knee injury during September’s international break, Willi Orban will not feature here.

Finding the net against Werder Bremen prior to the winter interval and already notching 11 Bundesliga strikes, attacking talisman Lois Openda will spearhead Rose’s charge on Saturday afternoon. Despite failing to find the net since the middle of November, Xavi Simons will join Openda in the final third.

Eintracht Frankfurt

As for the visitors, while Eintracht Frankfurt might have signed off 2023 with a 2-1 victory at home against Borussia Monchengladbach, the Eagles have continued to struggle with their constancy this season. Although Dino Toppmoller’s men might have opened the New Year battling it out in the top-six chase, they have lost six of their previous eight appearances across all competitions. Shockingly crashing out of the DFP Pokal last month at the hands of lower-league Saarbrucken, Frankfurt have continued to show a string of glaring issues on the road. In fact, Saturday’s guests have lost all of their last four showdowns away from Deutsche Bank Park by an aggregate score of 9-1. Likewise, suffering a 2-1 loss when they travelled to Leipzig last season, Toppmoller’s squad are set for a tough challenge this weekend.

Team News

Not making a single appearance since the end of September, Eintracht Frankfurt will once again be without influential skipper Sebastian Rode. Likewise, Toppmoller will also be unable to call upon the duo of Timothy Chandler and Mehdi Loune on Saturday afternoon.

One-time AC Milan starlet Jens Petter Hauge should be handed the chance to lead Frankfurt’s attack. Making his move from Leeds a permanent one earlier in the week, Robin Koch will once again be partnered with William Joel Pacho Tenorio at the back.

Key Factors to Consider

• When RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt last met back on June 3rd, Rose’s side picked up a 2-0 victory in the DFP Pokal final.
• Likewise, Leipzig also secured a 2-1 win when Frankfurt last visited the Red Bull Arena 11 months ago.
• RB Leipzig have won all of their last six straight home fixtures across all competitions.
• Eintracht Frankfurt have lost six of their previous eight appearances across all competitions.
• Saturday’s guests have also lost all of their last four away fixtures by an aggregate score of 9-1.

Conclusion

Losing just one of their final seven Bundesliga appearances prior to the festive break, RB Leipzig will be looking to open 2024 with a statement of intent. Gaining a reputation for their continued success on home soil and winning all of their last six straight showdowns at the Red Bull Arena, a struggling Eintracht Frankfurt will face a real challenge here. Securing a 2-1 win when they welcomed the Eagles to town last season, we are expecting a similar outcome on Saturday afternoon.

Verdict: RB Leipzig win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Luckster