RB Leipzig will welcome Bayer Leverkusen as both sides aim to go into the winter break with a win in the Bundesliga.

The Bundesliga’s final Saturday night fixture of the year serves up a festive heavyweight, as RB Leipzig host Bayer Leverkusen at the Red Bull Arena in a clash loaded with Champions League implications. With both sides eager to head into the winter break inside the top four, this promises to be a high-intensity encounter between two clubs chasing continental football rather than distant title dreams.

RB Leipzig arrive with mixed emotions after a frustrating weekend. Ole Werner’s side missed a golden opportunity to apply pressure on Bayern Munich, slipping to a shock 3–1 defeat away at Union Berlin. With Bayern stumbling at home against Mainz, Leipzig had a chance to inject intrigue into what has otherwise been a predictable title race. Instead, a disastrous second half in the capital saw Leipzig concede three times in the final 30 minutes, exposing lapses in concentration that proved costly.

Despite that setback, Leipzig’s home form remains a formidable weapon. The Red Bull Arena has been a fortress this season, with Die Roten Bullen boasting a perfect record across all competitions. Seven wins from seven on home soil underline their dominance, highlighted by a ruthless 6–0 dismantling of Eintracht Frankfurt earlier this month. If Leipzig are to maintain ambitions of positioning themselves as Bayern’s closest domestic challengers, preserving that flawless home run will be non-negotiable.

Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, have experienced a season of steady progress punctuated by moments of inconsistency. A mixed run of two wins, two defeats and a draw across their last five matches reflects a side still searching for rhythm under Kasper Hjulmand. However, confidence received a timely boost last weekend with a controlled 2–0 derby victory over FC Köln, a result that kept Die Werkself firmly inside the top four.

That win reinforced Leverkusen’s credentials as genuine contenders for Champions League qualification, even if a sustained title push appears unrealistic. Their European exploits have been more eye-catching, with notable performances on the continental stage, including a statement 2–0 victory away at Manchester City last month. Such results underline Leverkusen’s ability to rise to the occasion against elite opposition.

As the winter break approaches, Hjulmand’s priorities are clear. Securing a top-four finish and a return to Europe’s premier competition sits at the top of Leverkusen’s festive wish list. A victory in Leipzig would represent a major step toward that objective and send a strong message to their direct rivals. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.

Team News & Tactics

RB Leipzig

Leipzig approach their final Bundesliga fixture before the winter break dealing with a significant personnel shortage, compounded by injuries and international call-ups for the Africa Cup of Nations. Yan Diomandé, who grabbed headlines with a hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt earlier this month, is unavailable after departing to represent Ivory Coast, while Amadou Haidara has also left the squad to join Mali. Their absence removes both attacking output and midfield balance at a crucial point in the season.

Injuries have further stretched Leipzig’s resources. Ezechiel Banzuzi is a recent addition to the treatment room after suffering a muscle injury, ruling him out of contention. Benjamin Henrichs remains sidelined with a long-standing Achilles tendon issue, while Antonio Nusa continues to recover from an ankle problem. Highly rated youngster Assan Ouédraogo is also unavailable as he rehabilitates a knee injury. Leipzig have no suspension concerns, but the lack of depth forces Ole Werner into careful management of his remaining options.

Despite those setbacks, Leipzig are expected to stick with a proactive 4-3-3 system that has underpinned their perfect home record this season. Peter Gulacsi should start in goal, providing experience and leadership at the back. The defensive line is likely to feature Kosta Nedeljkovic at right-back, with Willi Orban partnering Castello Lukeba in central defence. David Raum is expected to operate at left-back, offering width and delivery from deep areas.

In midfield, Xaver Schlager is likely to anchor the trio, tasked with breaking up play and protecting the back line. He should be supported by Nicolas Seiwald, who provides positional discipline and distribution, and Christoph Baumgartner, expected to operate slightly higher to link midfield and attack. Up front, Andrija Maksimovic is set to start on the right wing, offering direct running, while Conrad Harder leads the line as the central striker. Tidiam Gomis is expected to operate from the left flank, tasked with stretching Leverkusen’s defence and attacking space in transition.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Nedeljkovic, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Schlager, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Maksimovic, Harder, Gomis

Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen also arrive at the Red Bull Arena dealing with disruption to their squad, largely due to Africa Cup of Nations call-ups and one key suspension. Three regular contributors have departed for international duty, with Christian Kofane joining Cameroon, Ibrahim Maza representing Algeria, and Edmond Tapsoba set to feature for Burkina Faso. Their absence affects both defensive stability and midfield balance at a demanding point in the season. In addition, Jarell Quansah is unavailable after accumulating his fifth Bundesliga booking, ruling him out through suspension. Exequiel Palacios remains sidelined as he continues to recover from a groin injury, further limiting Kasper Hjulmand’s options in central midfield. Leverkusen have no other suspension concerns beyond Quansah, but rotation is unavoidable given the personnel losses.

Despite those absentees, Leverkusen are expected to maintain their preferred structural identity, relying on organisation and fluid movement between the lines. The emphasis is likely to be on compact defending and quick transitions, particularly against a Leipzig side that thrives on intensity at home. Managing the wide areas and resisting pressure in midfield will be central to Leverkusen’s game plan.

From a tactical perspective, Leverkusen are set to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation designed to offer defensive security while allowing creativity behind the striker. Mark Flekken should start in goal, providing composure and distribution from the back. The three-man defence is likely to consist of Robert Andrich on the right, Loic Bade operating centrally as the organiser, and Axel Tape providing balance on the left side of the back line.

In midfield, Arthur is expected to operate as the right wing-back, offering width and energy, while Jeanuel Belocian fills the left wing-back role with a more conservative brief. The central midfield pairing should see Equi Fernandez tasked with dictating tempo alongside Malik Tillman, who adds dynamism and forward thrust. Ahead of them, Jonas Hofmann and Martin Terrier are likely to operate as the two attacking midfielders, drifting into pockets of space to support the striker. With several forwards unavailable, Christian Kofane is expected to lead the line as the central striker, tasked with holding up play and capitalising on limited chances.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Flekken; Andrich, Bade, Tape; Arthur, Fernandez, Tillman, Belocian; Hofmann, Terrier; Kofane

Key Stats

• RB Leipzig have won all seven of their home matches across all competitions this season, maintaining a 100% record at the Red Bull Arena.
• Bayer Leverkusen have taken points in four of their last five Bundesliga matches, but have failed to win consecutive league games during that period.
• Leipzig have scored at least three goals in four of their seven home games this season.
• Leverkusen have conceded in each of their last four Bundesliga away matches.
• RB Leipzig have lost just one of their last six Bundesliga meetings with Bayer Leverkusen at the Red Bull Arena.

Player to Watch

Christoph Baumgartner

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The mikdfielder could be a decisive figure for Leipzig as they look to protect their perfect home record. Operating in an advanced midfield role, the Austrian international provides Leipzig with creativity, intelligent movement between the lines, and a goal threat arriving late into the box.

With Leipzig missing several attacking options due to injuries and AFCON call-ups, Baumgartner’s ability to link midfield and attack becomes even more important. His work rate without the ball also fits perfectly into Leipzig’s high-intensity approach, allowing them to press aggressively while maintaining attacking structure.

Against a Leverkusen side forced into defensive reshuffles, Baumgartner’s positioning and timing could be key in unlocking spaces and tipping a tight contest in Leipzig’s favour.

Prediction

RB Leipzig 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen

Leipzig’s flawless home record and intensity at the Red Bull Arena give them a narrow advantage. Leverkusen have enough quality to make this competitive, but Leipzig’s energy and attacking efficiency on home soil should see them edge a closely fought contest and head into the winter break on a high.