RB Leipzig will be keen to put their loss to Bayern behind them when they take on FC Heidenheim on Saturday afternoon.

RB Leipzig will be desperate to respond to their disastrous Bundesliga opener when they host Heidenheim at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday. After being humbled 6-0 by Bayern Munich, Ole Werner’s side know they must quickly restore confidence and begin climbing the table against a side also searching for their first points of the season.

Leipzig’s season began on a positive note with a 4-2 DFB-Pokal victory over Sandhausen, but any optimism was swiftly shattered by a crushing 6-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in their Bundesliga opener. Werner’s side found themselves trailing 3-0 at half-time and offered little resistance thereafter, conceding eight goals in just two games across all competitions, a total they did not reach until their 11th match last season.

The manner of the defeat was particularly concerning. Leipzig created no clear-cut chances against Bayern and looked disjointed in both midfield and defence. The xG numbers suggested a degree of misfortune, as Bayern generated just 1.72 expected goals, but the lack of structure and defensive cohesion underlined the scale of Werner’s task. Currently bottom of the table, Die Roten Bullen must rediscover their rhythm quickly if they are to maintain their target of a top-six finish and a place in Europe, a feat they have achieved in eight of their nine Bundesliga campaigns.

However, form has been patchy for some time. Leipzig have won just one of their last seven competitive matches, losing three of those and conceding at least twice in five. Their struggles at the Red Bull Arena are also notable, with no wins in their final three home fixtures last season, though a draw against Bayern in that run at least highlighted their potential.

Like their hosts, Heidenheim also suffered defeat on the opening weekend, going down 3-1 to Wolfsburg. Frank Schmidt’s men were second-best throughout, managing just two shots inside the penalty area while allowing their opponents four big chances. Their attacking play lacked sharpness, though they did show more defensive resilience in the second half.

On the positive side, Heidenheim breezed into the second round of the DFB-Pokal with a 5-0 win over Bahlinger and have kept three clean sheets in their last five Bundesliga outings dating back to last season. That defensive solidity will be crucial as they attempt to frustrate Leipzig.

The visitors can also draw confidence from last season’s 2-2 draw in this fixture, when they twice fought back to deny Leipzig at Red Bull Arena. Even so, Heidenheim had lost each of their previous three encounters with Die Roten Bullen and know the scale of the challenge ahead. Schmidt’s side do boast impressive away form, however, with three straight wins on the road and just one defeat in their last nine competitive away matches.

That resilience could give them hope of springing a surprise. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig’s preparations have been clouded by uncertainty over the future of Xavi Simons, and it would not be a surprise if the Dutch midfielder is left out of the squad amid ongoing speculation. In his absence, Christoph Baumgartner is the likely candidate to step into the attacking midfield role. Defensively, Leipzig were exposed badly in their defeat to Bayern, yet Ole Werner is expected to persist with Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba at the heart of defence, hoping for a more disciplined display.

In terms of injuries, Leipzig do not have any new suspensions or long-term absentees reported ahead of the Heidenheim clash, giving Werner a reasonably strong pool of players to select from. The main issue for the coach remains rebalancing a side that has conceded too freely in recent outings.

Leipzig are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation. Péter Gulácsi should start in goal, with Ridle Baku operating at right-back and David Raum on the opposite flank. At centre-back, Willi Orban will marshal the defence alongside Castello Lukeba. The midfield trio is expected to consist of Nicolas Seiwald in the deeper role, supported by Xaver Schlager and Christoph Baumgartner, who will be tasked with linking play to the attack.

On the right wing, Johan Bakayoko could make his presence felt with direct runs and creativity, while Antonio Nusa provides width on the left. Up front, Lois Openda will lead the line as the main striker, looking to rediscover his scoring touch.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Seiwald, Schlager, Baumgartner; Bakayoko, Openda, Nusa

1.FC Heidenheim

Head coach Frank Schmidt will be without left wing-back Jonas Föhrenbach, who sustained a head injury during the defeat to Wolfsburg and is not expected to recover in time for Saturday’s match. His absence opens the door for Mathias Honsak to come into the starting lineup on the left flank. Otherwise, Heidenheim do not have any new suspensions or major absentees to contend with, giving Schmidt relative stability in his squad selection.

In defence, Benedikt Gimber could slot into the middle of a back three, offering composure and distribution from deep. He is expected to be partnered by Patrick Mainka and Tim Siersleben, providing solidity against Leipzig’s attacking firepower. In midfield, Niklas Dorsch and Jan Schöppner should start together in a double pivot, combining defensive cover with the ability to transition play forward. On the wings, Marnon Busch is likely to operate on the right, with Mathias Honsak stepping in on the left.

Further forward, Leo Scienza will be pushing for a start after finding the net against Wolfsburg. He could feature in one of two supporting roles behind the striker, alongside Arijon Ibrahimovic, to provide creativity and attacking link-up play. At the tip of the formation, Budu Zivzivadze is expected to lead the line, tasked with converting the limited chances Heidenheim may create against a strong Leipzig defence.

Heidenheim are therefore expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 system. Diant Ramaj will start in goal, behind a back three of Patrick Mainka, Benedikt Gimber, and Tim Siersleben. Marnon Busch and Mathias Honsak will operate as wing-backs, while Niklas Dorsch and Jan Schöppner form the midfield base. Arijon Ibrahimovic and Leo Scienza are set to play just behind Budu Zivzivadze, who will spearhead the attack.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Ramaj; Mainka, Gimber, Siersleben; Busch, Dorsch, Schoppner, Honsak; Scienza, Ibrahimovic; Zivzivadze

Key Stats

• RB Leipzig and Heidenheim will meet for the fifth time in the Bundesliga. Heidenheim have managed just one point from their previous four encounters, with a 2-2 draw in February their only positive result. On average, Heidenheim has collected only 0.25 points per game against Leipzigone of their lowest returns against any opponent.

• RB Leipzig are currently winless in six Bundesliga matches (D3, L3), marking a new club record. They have also lost their last two league games, and a third straight defeat would equal their worst losing streak since January 2024.

• Leipzig sit in last place after the opening Bundesliga matchday for only the second time in their history. The last occasion was in 2018/19, following a 4-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund. Meanwhile, Heidenheim have only won one of their last three league games against bottom-of-the-table opponents (D1, L1).

• Leipzig’s 6-0 thrashing by Bayern Munich on Matchday 1 was their heaviest-ever Bundesliga loss. It was also the first time they had conceded six goals in a single top-flight game. Despite this, Leipzig have never started a Bundesliga season with back-to-back defeats.

•  In the final two Bundesliga away games of last season, Heidenheim kept back-to-back clean sheets on the road for the first time in their history. However, across their last four away games, they have won just once, drawn once, and lost twice.

Player to Watch

Lois Openda

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With RB Leipzig desperate to bounce back from their humiliating 6-0 defeat against Bayern Munich, all eyes will be on Loïs Openda to provide the spark in attack. The Belgian striker was Leipzig’s leading scorer last season and remains their most reliable source of goals, capable of turning matches with his pace, sharp movement, and lethal finishing.

Openda thrives on stretching defences with his direct running, and against a disciplined Heidenheim side that has kept clean sheets on the road in recent weeks, his ability to create space and get in behind will be vital. Leipzig’s struggles against Bayern highlighted their lack of cutting edge in the final third, and Werner will count on Openda to lead by example and reignite confidence in the squad.

If Leipzig are to shake off their poor start and reassert themselves in the Bundesliga, Openda must rise to the occasion. A goal here could not only help his team secure their first league points of the season but also restore belief that Leipzig can still challenge for a European place.

Prediction

RB Leipzig 3-1 FC Heidenheim

Both teams arrive under pressure to deliver a response, but the stakes are higher for Leipzig after their humiliation in Munich. Werner’s side must sharpen up defensively while making better use of their attacking options if they are to calm early nerves. Heidenheim’s solid away record suggests they will not roll over easily, but Leipzig’s superior quality and home advantage should prove decisive.