In a crucial battle that will impact the race for European football in the Bundesliga, Borussia Monchengladbach will welcome RB Leipzig to Borussia Park on Saturday.
The hosts are in seventh place with 40 points and beat Werder Bremen 4-2 on March 15, while the visitors are in fifth place with 42 points and are three points from the league’s fourth and final Champions League qualification spot.
Match preview
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Borussia Monchengladbach can count themselves fortunate to have only conceded twice against Werder Bremen given they faced six big chances while creating just three of their own.
Die Fohlen have in fact conceded eight goals in their past four games, and they have faced 48.3 xG in the league so far, the second most of any team in the top flight.
Boss Gerardo Seoane‘s side are currently two points from sixth-placed Freiburg, who occupy the division’s Conference League qualification spot, but it should be noted that his side’s record of 36 goals scored is the worst among the Bundesliga’s top eight.
Though Borussia Monchengladbach have been beaten in two of their last four, they have triumphed in five and drawn one of their last eight.
However, the hosts have lost two and been held to a stalemate in one of their three most recent outings at home, conceding seven times and scoring just twice in that period.
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Opponents RB Leipzig managed to defeat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 on March 15, though the victors rode their luck at times considering they faced eight big chances and over three xG.
Manager Marco Rose has come under significant pressure this season due to the club’s poor showings since November, and given they have only scored eight goals in their last nine matches, the pressure on his position has not dissipated.
Leipzig were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Borussia Monchengladbach in the reverse fixture on November 9, though the draw did extend their unbeaten streak against Saturday’s hosts to four games, with the visitors winning on three occasions.
To Die Roten Bullen’s credit, they have only been defeated in one of their eight most recent outings, though they did draw four times in that period and failed to find the back of the net in three games.
Rose will be alarmed by his team’s frailty on the road, with his side losing seven, drawing four and emerging victorious in just one of their last 12 away from home, and they have not scored in their past three away matches.
Team News
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Borussia Monchengladbach striker Tim Kleindienst was sent off against Werder Bremen, and his absence could mean that Tomas Cvancara is set to lead the line ahead of attacking midfielder Alassane Plea.
The striker may be chosen to play ahead of a double pivot consisting of regulars Philipp Sander and Julian Weigl.
Given that goalkeepers Jonas Omlin and Moritz Nicolas have both been ruled out, expect Tiago Pereira Cardoso to be protected by centre-backs Ko Itakura and Nico Elvedi.
Meanwhile, Leipzig defender Benjamin Henrichs is sidelined due to an Achilles tendon injury, so perhaps Rose will utilise a back three featuring Lutsharel Geertruida, Willi Orban and El Chadaille Bitshiabu.
Midfielders Arthur Vermeeren and Amadou Haidara may start together given Christoph Baumgartner and Forzan Assan Ouedraogo will not be in the squad, though Baumgartner could return from a concussion in the days after Saturday’s match.
Considering striker Yussuf Poulsen is unavailable, playmaker Xavi Simons will almost certainly support forwards Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda.
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Cardoso; Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Ullrich; Sander, Weigl; Ngoumou, Plea, Hack; Cvancara
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Geertruida, Orban, Bitshiabu; Baku, Vermeeren, Haidara, Raum; Xavi; Sesko, Openda
We say: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-1 RB Leipzig
It is difficult to overlook Leipzig’s poor form on the road, and they may struggle to create many chances in the final third.
However, Borussia Monchengladbach have themselves been defensively vulnerable and their record at home has been mixed, so it would not be surprising if they were held to a stalemate on Saturday.
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