With Bayern Munich running away with it at the top of the Bundesliga, second place is now the prize for those teams trailing behind them. One of those teams is RB Leipzig and they started this weekend sitting in 3rd place, level on 35 points with 2nd place Bayer Leverkusen. This Friday, RB Leipzig host Augsburg at the Reb Bull Arena and the visitors are enjoying a decent season themselves. They start the match in 7th place and a win could see them move up to 5th and remain in contention for Champions League qualification.
German Bundesliga – RB Leipzig v FC Augsburg, Red Bull Arena, Leipzig – Friday 9th February 20148 – 19:30 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 27/10 at Ladbrokes |
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RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig Form
RB Leipzig’s form has improved since the winter break and they won 2, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their 4 Bundesliga matches. While this is not good enough to pull away from the teams around them it is better than the 5 competitive games without a win in December. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team recorded a good 1-0 win at Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend, a team also hoping to finish inside the Champions League qualifying places this season. However, its their home form where RB Leipzig have been at their best and they have lost only 2 of their last 15 home Bundesliga games. Scoring goals has not been a problem for them at the Red Bull Arena and RB Leipzig have scored 10 goals across their last 5 home league games at an average of 2 goals per game.
Augsburg Form
Augsburg recorded an excellent 3-0 home win against Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend and it was that result which has drawn them into the battle for the European qualifying places in the Bundesliga. However, while their home form has been good, they have been struggling to string a run of positive results to together on the road and Augsburg have won only 3 of their last 17 away matches in all competitions. Augsburg have lost 4 of their 10 away league matches this season, winning only 3 and they have been struggling to keep clean sheets in recent away games. In fact, Augsburg have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 5 away Bundesliga matches.
Team News
RB Leipzig are set to continue without Emil Forsberg and Marcel Halstenberg, who are working their way back to fitness but this game may come a little early for both in their recovery. Otherwise, the hosts will be at full strength. Augsburg will be without the injured duo of Alfred Finnbogasson and Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, while Daniel Opare has been given special permission to miss the match. Rani Khedira returns from suspension.
RB Leipzig v FC Augsburg – Betting Odds and Predictions
Coral offer 3/4 for RB Leipzig to score 2 or more goals in this game. On loan forward, Ademola Lookman sealed the points for RB Leipzig last weekend and he is 19/10 with Ladbrokes to score at any time.
Top Betting Tip RB Leipzig v FC Augsburg
This is set to be a very competitive Bundesliga match and there is a lot riding on it in terms of potential European qualification. However, RB Leipzig have the home advantage and that could be what makes the difference. RB Leipzig are 8/11 with Skybet to win the match. RB Leipzig have been scoring goals at home in recent games and will be hoping to keep up with their recent average of 2 goals per match across their last 5 at the Red Bull Arena.