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RB Leipzig will hope to avoid an upset in the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday, when they travel to face Rot-Weiss Essen at Stadion an der Hafenstrasse.
Leipzig will no doubt be seen as favourites in the second round as a Bundesliga team, so losing against a third-division side would be unthinkable.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Essen vs RB Leipzig key stats
- RB Leipzig have scored at least four goals in three of their last seven games.
- RB Leipzig's last seven goals have been scored after half time.
- RW Essen have scored in seven of their past eight games.
Essen vs RB Leipzig preview: A chance for a DFB-Pokal upset?
RW Essen vs RB Leipzig — Tale of the Tape
| RW Essen | vs | RB Leipzig |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd (3. Liga) | Position | 5th (Bundesliga) |
| 21 | Points | 12 |
| 19 | Goals For | 20 |
| 13 | Goals Against | 11 |
| 5 | Clean Sheets | 4 |
| 1st | Home / Away Rank | 18th |
RW Essen's season in the third tier has been positive considering they are currently in third place with 21 points after 11 matchweeks.
The hosts were last in the second tier in the 2006–07 campaign, so with the club now in the promotion playoff spot, it would be understandable if their primary focus was not the DFB-Pokal.
Uwe Koschinat's side only lost once in their last 11 fixtures, but while they won seven times in that period, they have failed to win three of their past five clashes.
RW Essen could use Marek Janssen as a central striker ahead of a supporting cast featuring Noah Pesch, Dickson Abiama and Lucas Brumme.
RB Leipzig's season has been plagued by inconsistencies, with the club having lost five of their 11 matches this season, winning their other six.
Die Roten Bullen did win 4-0 in the Bundesliga on Saturday against Elversberg, and they are in fifth place with 12 points, just one fewer than third-placed Freiburg.
The two clubs have met just once, with Leipzig coming out on top as 4-1 victors in August 2024.
Head coach Martin Demichelis will almost certainly not risk defender Castello Lukeba after he was withdrawn from the XI that faced Elversberg, so perhaps fans will see Maxime Esteve partner Willi Orban.
Essen vs RB Leipzig form guide & betting tips
| RW Essen | vs | RB Leipzig |
|---|---|---|
DDWLW |
Form | WLWLW |
| 8 | Points | 9 |
| 8th | Form Table | 4th |
| 7 | Goals For | 16 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 8 |
DDWLW |
Form (All Comps) | WWLLW |
Whispers predicts: Essen 1-4 RB Leipzig
With such a disparity between the two clubs in terms of league and finances, it comes as no surprise to see the bookmakers back a Leipzig win at 1/5 (1.2).
All seven of the visitors' last seven goals have come in the second half, making a prediction of RB Leipzig to Score in the Second Half at 1/5 (1.2) sensible.
Considering RW Essen have scored in seven of their past eight games, it would make sense to back Both Teams to Score at 4/5 (1.8).
Leipzig have scored at least four goals in three of their last seven fixtures, so it could be worthwhile to back Over 3.5 Goals for RB Leipzig at 13/8 (2.63).
> RB Leipzig to Score in the Second Half at 1/5 (1.2) | Likelihood: High
> Both Teams to Score at 4/5 (1.8) | Likelihood: Medium
> Over 3.5 Goals for RB Leipzig at 13/8 (2.63) | Likelihood: Low