RB Leipzig vs Hamburg prediction, preview & betting tips – 13/09/2026

RB Leipzig will look to arrest a worrying slide when they host bottom-of-the-table Hamburger SV at the Red Bull Arena on Sunday, with new head coach Martin Demichelis already facing scrutiny after back-to-back defeats.

The hosts opened the campaign with two promising results before losing 3-1 to Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga and then being thrashed 4-1 by Como in the Champions League in midweek, a defeat that exposed serious issues with their high defensive line.

Hamburg, meanwhile, sit rock bottom with zero points and a goal difference of minus seven after just two matches, having been thrashed 5-0 at home by Mainz in their last outing.

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.

RB Leipzig vs Hamburg key stats

• Hamburg sit bottom of the Bundesliga with 0 points and a goal difference of -7 after two matches.
• Leipzig have won the last four meetings between the sides.
• Leipzig have won their last home matches against Hamburg
• Leipzig have won their last six Bundesliga home matches.

RB Leipzig vs Hamburg preview: Pressure builds on both benches

Leipzig's start under new boss Martin Demichelis began encouragingly with two wins over Eintracht Trier in the DFB Pokal and Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga, but confidence has taken a hit over the past week. 

However, Saturday's 3-1 Bundesliga defeat to Werder Bremen put a halt, and it was followed by a chastening 4-1 loss away to Como in the Champions League on Thursday, with the Red Bulls repeatedly exposed by their high defensive line.

While a single defeat in Italy is not necessarily a crisis, the manner of the loss will concern Demichelis, and Sunday's meeting with a struggling Hamburg side arrives as a timely opportunity to settle nerves back on home soil.

Demichelis will be without Christoph Baumgartner (thigh) and Rocco Reitz (hamstring), a notable list of absences heading into a must-improve home fixture.

Hamburg's return to the Bundesliga has been a nightmare start despite optimism generated by late transfer business, including a permanent deal for last season's key loanee Fabio Vieira from Arsenal.

Merlin Polzin's side were thrashed at home by Mainz having also lost their opening fixture against Borussia Dortmund (2-0), leaving them bottom of the table without a point or a goal to their name.

Things are not looking great heading into this clash despite Leipzig’s recent dip, as the visitors face a side that are on a six-match winning run on home soil in the league, a ground where they have also lost on their last two visits across all competitions.

Polzin is searching for answers after his side conceded 12 goals in two matches, resulting in some changes. However, he might not be able to call on Sebastiaan Bornauw, Immanuel Pherai and Albert Sambi Lokonga who all face late fitness tests, while Alexander Rossing-Lelesiit is confirmed sidelined with an ankle issue.

RB Leipzig vs Hamburg form guide & betting tips

Whispers predicts: RB Leipzig 2-0 Hamburg

Leipzig's dominant home run and Hamburg's dismal defensive returns make the home win market at 1.38 (2/5)  the clear starting point, even with the home side’s own confidence dented by back-to-back losses.

The Leipzig to win to nil at 2.62 (13/8) also carries great value with Hamburg having yet to score at all this season, while the hosts have won their only game this season without conceding.

For value, a correct score of 2-0 to Leipzig at 9.00 (16/2) reflects the home side's need to reassert themselves after a difficult week, as well as their solid home form.

Germany Bundesliga I 01/03/26

Hamburg

1

RB Leipzig

2

Germany Bundesliga I 18/10/25

RB Leipzig

2

Hamburg

1

Germany DFB Pokal 18/10/22

RB Leipzig

4

Hamburg

0