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RB Leipzig are aiming to make it ten points from their opening four Bundesliga fixtures with victory away at bottom-of-the-table St. Pauli on Sunday evening.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday September 22nd 2024: UK – 6:30pm / US ET – 1:30pm / US PT – 10:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – ESPN+
ST. PAULI PREVIEW: JUST ONE GOAL SCORED SO FAR
It was always going to be extremely hard for St. Pauli to cope with the rigours of the Bundesliga upon their long-awaited return to the top flight, especially after losing head coach Fabian Hurzeler to Brighton. But their supporters would’ve surely hoped for better than what they’ve seen so far under Alexander Blessin.
Three games played, three defeats and only one goals scored. That’s not good enough, even for a newly promoted side. Their defensive record though, hasn’t been that bad having conceded just six goals, under half the amount of Holstein Kiel, who sit directly above them in the table.
RB LEIPZIG PREVIEW: 100% RECORD ENDED BY RESOLUTE UNION
Marco Rose side were left hugely frustrated in their last domestic game, having been held to a 0-0 draw at home against Union Berlin. The biggest issue for RB Leipzig this season has been their struggles to break down the opposition at home. It took them until around the hour mark to score vs Bochum and here, they failed to find the net entirely.
Against another opponent who are likely to play tight and try to hit RB Leipzig on the counter-attack, patience and a killer instinct up front is likely to be important. Fitness may also be a worry after a tough Champions League fixture away at Atletico Madrid in midweek.
ST. PAULI TEAM NEWS: RETURN TO 3-4-3 A POSSIBILITY
After how they have started the campain, it would be no surprise if this was the match which sees Blessin change formation from the start and deploy the 3-4-3 formation that worked so successfully under Hurzeler last season in 2. Bundesliga.
PREDICTED XI: (3-4-3): Vasilj; Wahl, Smith, Mets; Treu, Irvine, Boukhalfa, Ritzka; Afolayan, Eggestein, Saad
UNAVAILABLE: Ahlers (Injured), Burchert (Injured), Zoller (Injured), Metcalfe (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Guilavogui (Injured), Maurides (Injured), Wagner (Illness)
RB LEIPZIG TEAM NEWS: CENTRAL MIDFIELD INJURIES FOR ROSE TO CONTEND WITH
An adductor injury for Kevin Kampl and Xavi Schlager’s knee problem see RB Leipzig short in that area. Therefore, we could be set to see Arthur Vermeeren play here from the start alongside Amadou Onana.
PREDICTED XI: (4-2-2-2): Gulacsi; Geertruida, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Haidara, Vermeeren; Nusa, Simons; Sesko, Openda
UNAVAILABLE: Kampl (Injured), Ouedraogo (Injured), Schlager (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ST. PAULI VS RB LEIPZIG PREDICTION
Another hard assignment for St. Pauli and whilst the fans will stay right behind him as always, the gulf in class has been evident. RB Leipzig may be a little jaded and can be slightly frustrating going forward. For that reason, utilising the draw no bet market here would be sensible, but still backing RB Leipzig to get the better of St. Pauli.
ST. PAULI VS RB LEIPZIG TIP: RB LEIPZIG TO WIN