The latest Bundesliga matchday kicks off with a huge clash at the Red Bull Arena this Friday night as RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim engage in a crucial battle for the top four.
Die Roten Bullen enter the match sitting outside of the Champions League places following a painful defeat to rivals Stuttgart last weekend, though they do have eight matches remaining to fix the situation.
Hoffenheim, on the other hand, have been the surprise package of the season, and they will be looking to strengthen their current position in the top four by completing a season double over Leipzig.
Check out our prediction, preview and betting tips, including the latest odds. If you want more, make sure to visit our Today’s betting tips page for more expert predictions.
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RB Leipzig vs Hoffenheim key stats
RB Leipzig have won just two of their last seven home Bundesliga matches.
RB Leipzig have never lost a Friday-held league match at home, winning seven and drawing twice.
Hoffenheim have avoided defeat in half of their league games in which they conceded first.
Hoffenheim have failed to win any of their last seven Friday-held Bundesliga fixtures.
RB Leipzig vs Hoffenheim: Top four future is on the line
| RB Leipzig | vs | Hoffenheim |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | Position | 3rd |
| 47 | Points | 50 |
| 48 | Goals For | 54 |
| 35 | Goals Against | 34 |
| 9 | Clean Sheets | 6 |
| 4th | Home Rank | 5th |
| 15th | Away Rank | 3rd |
RB Leipzig saw their five-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga come to a crushing end last weekend as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against top four rivals Stuttgart.
The scoreline may not seem that crushing, but the blow dealt to Leipzig’s Champions League hopes was significant.
Only two teams in the Bundesliga have scored more home goals than RB Leipzig this season.
Currently sitting three points adrift of the top four, Ole Werner’s men have little room for error as they look to secure a return to elite European football next season.
Speaking of next season, Die Roten Bullen are already making moves after announcing the signing of Borussia Monchengladbach’s captain Rocco Reitz for a reported £17m.
In terms of immediate team news, Assan Ouedraogo is on the road to recovery and could make his return in the very near future. Meanwhile, Kosta Nedeljkovic and Peter Gulacsi remain on the injury list.
Hoffenheim, on the other hand, stunned German football this season by entering the Champions League conversation, despite narrowly avoiding relegation last term.
Hoffenheim have only lost two away games in the Bundesliga this season - a record only bettered by Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
Christian Ilzer’s side have already won eight more Bundesliga matches than their total of seven last season, while also significantly improving their goal difference.
The club are on the periphery of Champions League qualification, though with just eight games remaining, there are some concerns about their recent dip in results.
Hoffenheim have won two of their last six matches in the league, with their last result being a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Wolfsburg.
The team remain without Koki Machida, Adam Hlozek and Valentin Gendrey as they attempt to pull off a season double over Leipzig since the 2017-18 campaign.
RB Leipzig vs Hoffenheim form guide & betting tips
| RB Leipzig | vs | Hoffenheim |
|---|---|---|
| D-D-W-W-L | League Form | W-D-L-W-D |
| 8 | Points | 8 |
| 7th | Form Table | 6th |
| 8 | Goals For | 10 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 6 |
| D-D-W-W-L | Form (Bundesliga) | W-D-L-W-D |
Whispers predicts: RB Leipzig 1-2 Hoffenheim
Both teams to score is a no brainer in this one considering it has landed in five previous head-to-head meetings. The price of 2/5 might not be too enticing, but this could be a great addition to a bet builder.
Sticking on the subject of goals, the over 2.5 market is also worth noting. This bet has landed in six of Leipzig’s previous seven Bundesliga matches.
In terms of backing a winner, Hoffenheim are the ones to go for in the double chance market. Ilzer’s men have only lost one of their last six away matches, and that came at the Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich.
> Over 2.5 goals at 2/5 | Likelihood: Probable
> Both teams to score at 2/5 | Likelihood: Probable
> Double Chance Hoffenheim/Draw at 17/20 | Likelihood: Outsider