Borussia Monchengladbach host RB Leipzig in a German Bundesliga fixture on Saturday, with both teams battling for a place in Europe next season. There is plenty of quality in both attacks and they could be set to play out a thrilling encounter.
Monchengladbach head into this clash on a high after a 4-2 win over Werder Bremen last time out in the Bundesliga. That was their sixth win in the last eight matches in the league, moving them to within five points of the Champions League places.
Gerardo Seoane’s men have been solid going forward, scoring nine goals in their last five Bundesliga matches. However, they need to tighten up at the back having conceded in six of their last seven fixtures in the league.
RB Leipzig were also victorious in their previous Bundesliga fixture, claiming a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund. It was a vital result for Marco Rose’s team as it ended a four match winless run and moved them to within two points of the Champions League places.
The visitors have struggled on their travels and are winless in their last six away matches, although the last three in that run have ended in draws. While Die Roten have kept clean sheets in those three fixtures, they are prone to heavy defeats like the 5-1 thrashing at Bayern Munich.
How the bookies view it: Leipzig slight favourites
RB Leipzig have been installed as slight favourites among the bookies with BoyleSports offering 11/10 for an away win. A victory for Borussia Monchengladbach is valued at 7/4 while a draw is set at 12/5 with BoyleSports.
Head to head: Leipzig on top
Leipzig have a 10-3 advantage with four draws from 17 previous matches against Borussia Monchengladbach. Both teams battled to a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture back in November.
Players to watch: Opportunistic Plea
Alassane Plea, fresh off his first Bundesliga hat-trick, is set to lead Borussia Monchengladbach’s attack in Tim Kleindienst’s absence. The forward could be worth keeping an eye on to score anytime at 7/4 with BoyleSports.
Xavi Simons has scored in two of the last three Bundesliga games and was also on target for the Netherlands during the international break. He could be backed to maintain his scoring run on Saturday at 5/2 with BoyleSports.
Probable line-ups
Borussia Monchengladbach are plagued by injuries, with Shio Fukuda, Marvin Friedrich, Nico Elvedi, Philipp Sander, Jonas Omlin, Niklas Swider and Moritz Nicolas all sidelined. With Tim Kleindienst suspended, Plea is expected to lead the attack alongside Nathan Ngoumou and Robin Hack.
RB Leipzig will be without Christoph Baumgartner, Antonio Nusa, Forzan Ouedraogo and Benjamin Henrichs due to injuries. Lois Openda, Benjamin Sesko and Xavi Simons are expected to be in the line-up.
Borussia Monchengladbach: Omlin, Ullrich, Elvedi, Itakura, Scally, Weigl, Sander, Hack, Ngoumou, Plea, Cvancara
RB Leipzig: Gulasci, Geertruida, Orban, Bitshiabu, Baku, Kampl, Seiwald, Simons, Raum, Openda, Sesko
Anything else catch the eye?
Four of the last five home league games of Borussia Monchengladbach have produced more goals after the break and the trend is likely to continue with BoyleSports offering 10/11. The hosts have scored first in six of the last eight Bundesliga matches and a repeat is valued at 11/10.
Three of the last four meetings between both teams have produced halftime draws, including the reverse fixture and a similar outcome could be on the cards at 5/4 with BoyleSports.
This German Bundesliga match between Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Leipzig will be played on and kick off at 14:30. Check below for our tipsters best Borussia Monchengladbach vs RB Leipzig prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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