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December 8 2024, 22:51 · Alex Lawes
Updated: December 9 2024, 08:16

RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa Preview: Team News & Prediction

RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Marco Rose is under pressure in charge of RB Leipzig as they struggle in this tournament. Their next assignment is to take on an Aston Villa side that have begun to turn a corner. 

Kick-off date/time: Tuesday 10th December, 2024: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – CBS Sports

How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime / US – Paramount+

RB Leipzig Preview: RB need some energy

After a good start to the season in terms of results, performances were still underwhelming and their results have now begun to level up with that poor performance level. They have slipped away from any sort of title race in the Bundesliga as they struggle on the continent.

The home team did earn a much-needed but unconvincing 2-0 defeat of Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga at the weekend. They have started their UEFA Champions League campaign with five defeats from five as they begin this match day sitting 34th in the 36-team table. 

Aston Villa Preview: Villains to heroes again

Unai Emery was never and perhaps will never be under pressure in charge of Aston Villa but things had become a little frustrating at Villa Park before back-to-back wins against Brentford and Southampton in the last week ended an eight-match winless run of form.

The Villains begin the match day sitting just outside of the top eight and the automatic knockout places in the UEFA Champions League after earning three wins and a draw in their opening five matches, most recently being held to a goalless draw by Juventus in Birmingham. 

RB Leipzig Team News: Defensive injuries and suspensions

RB Leipzig are dealing with plenty of issues and especially defensively as both Castello Lukeba and Assan Ouedraogo are sidelined alongside David Raum with key attackers Xavi Simons and Yussuf Poulsen also still sidelined for the hosts. 

Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Gulacsi; Seiwald, Orban, Geertruida; Henrichs, Vermeeren, Haidara, Nusa; Baumgartner; Sesko, Openda

Unavailable: Lukeba (Suspended), Bitshiabu (Injured), Ouedraogo (Injured), Raum (Injured), Elmas (Injured), Simons (Injured), Poulsen (Injured)

Questionable: 

Aston Villa Team News: Bailey injury

With a top eight finish well within their grasp, Aston Villa are likely to name their strongest eleven for this one with no rotation required. They have just a couple of injury issues as Leon Bailey has joined Jacob Ramsey on the sidelines due to hamstring issues.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Philogene, McGinn, Rogers; Watkins

Unavailable: Ramsey (Injured), Bailey (Injured)

Questionable: 

Key Stats

  • Leipzig have won only one of their last nine UEFA club competition matches against English teams (D1 L7).
  • Leipzig have lost their last four UEFA club competition matches against English teams.
  • Leipzig have lost six and drawn one of their last seven UEFA Champions League matches. This is their longest winless run in the competition.
  • Kevin Kampl is set to become the second Slovenian player to reach the landmark of 50 appearances in the UEFA Champions League proper after Jan Oblak (89).
  • Aston Villa have won three and lost two of their previous five UEFA club competition matches against German teams.
  • Aston Villa have lost their last four matches away from home in all competitions.
  • Aston Villa have lost only one of their last ten UEFA club competition league/group matches (W7 D2).
  • Aston Villa have kept four clean sheets in their previous five UEFA Champions League matches this season.

RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa Prediction

RB Leipzig may well believe their chance of qualification has already gone for this one. That could mean their attention and focus is fully on ensuring they don’t drop off further domestically ahead of the winter break. With Villa not yet entirely fluent but finding a way to get back to winning ways, that will give Unai Emery a bit of confidence that they can all but wrap up knockout qualification with a victory at the Red Bull Arena this week. 

RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa Tip: Double chance – Aston Villa to win or draw