RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Josh Sim
The penultimate weekend of the Bundesliga sees RB Leipzig host Borussia Dortmund in a highly anticipated clash at the Red Bull Arena.
Die Roten Bullen sit in third place and, after a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Fortuna Düsseldorf on Wednesday night, the hosts remain behind their upcoming opponents. But a win on Saturday will put them level with the visitors and ensure the race for second place goes down to the final week.
As for Die Schwarzgelben, a shock 2-0 loss against Mainz compounded a miserable week where they watched Bayern Munich celebrate another Bundesliga title. Head coach Lucien Favre is under pressure to clinch the runners-up place, and the task of avoiding another defeat will certainly be a priority.
Where to Watch
When Is Kick Off? Saturday 20 June
What Time Is Kick Off? 14:30 (BST)
Where Is it Played? Red Bull Arena
TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport 2 (UK), Fubo TV (US)
Team News
Leipzig have just the one confirmed injury, with striker Yussuf Poulsen ruled out with an ankle problem. On-loan Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu (back) and Hannes Wolf (ankle) are considered doubtful to play on Saturday as well.
Dortmund have been hit with several injuries that will affect their squad depth heading into the huge game. Midfield pair Mahmoud Dahoud (knee) and Thomas Delaney (muscular) will both miss the clash, as will defender Dan-Axel Zagadou (knee).
Manuel Akanji (muscular) and Marco Reus (groin) are considered doubts, Mario Götze may not be available for personal reasons, and youngster Giovanni Reyna has been ill of late and could also miss out. On-loan right back Achraf Hakimi is additionally suspended for this game.
Predicted Lineups
RB Leipzig: Gulacsi; Klostermann, Upamecano, Halstenberg; Mukiele, Sabtizer, Laimer, Angeliño; Olmo, Nkunku; Werner.
Dortmund: Burki; Piszczek, Hummels, Can; Morey, Witsel, Brandt, Guerreiro; Sancho, Haaland, Hazard.
Recent Form
While Die Roten Bullen are yet to taste defeat since the Bundesliga restarted in May, they've also dropped points carelessly against lower opponents. The 2-2 draw with Fortuna Düsseldorf was symbolic of this - they led 2-1, only to concede in the dying stages, throwing away two points in the race for second place.
As for Dortmund, they had recovered from their defeat against Bayern by picking up three straight wins before their surprise defeat against Mainz.
Here's how both sides have fared in their last five fixtures.
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig 2-2 Fortuna Düsseldorf (17/6)
Hoffenheim 0-2 RB Leipzig (12/6)
RB Leipzig 1-1 Paderborn (6/6)
Köln 2-4 RB Leipzig (1/6)
RB Leipzig 2-2 Hertha Berlin (27/5)
Dortmund
Dortmund 0-2 Mainz (17/6)
Fortuna Düsseldorf 0-1 Dortmund (13/6)
Dortmund 1-0 Hertha Berlin (6/6)
Paderborn 1-6 Dortmund (31/5)
Dortmund 0-1 Bayern Munich (26/5)
Prediction
Despite the title race being over, there is certainly plenty at stake for both teams. A win for Leipzig could throw the race for second wide open, with one game left to play for both sides.
As for Dortmund, a victory for them would allow them to seal another runners-up finish in the Bundesliga. It would also relieve the pressure building on Favre, who has watched his team falter at times and will want to highlight his qualities by inflicting a defeat on Nagelsmann, regarded as Germany's best young manager.
With all of the attacking talent on show, it's hard to not predict a high-scoring thriller to play out. Expect the likes of Werner and Haaland to be on-target in what will be an entertaining draw at the Red Bull Arena.
Prediction: RB Leipzig 2-2 Borussia Dortmund