Best Odds: 8/13
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Smelling the chance to lay down another marker on Saturday afternoon, RB Leipzig will travel to North Rhine-Westphalia when they meet a struggling Borussia Monchengladbach.
Borussia Monchengladbach
Starting with the hosts, while Borussia Monchengladbach might have managed to pinch themselves a top-half finish among Germany’s elite last season, it is no secret that the Foals are enduring a public struggle this time around. While Gerardo Seoane’s men might have marked their return from September’s international break with an action-packed 3-3 stalemate away at Darmstadt last weekend, the one-time Luzern boss finds some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Heading into the fortnight interval with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, Gladbach have failed to win any of their opening four top-flight appearances. With their extended issues highlighted by a 3-0 drumming at home against Bayer Leverkusen on August 26th, Saturday’s hosts have also gained a reputation for their rather glaring struggles at the back. Along with opening the 2023/24 campaign with a remarkable 4-4 draw against Augsburg last month, Seoane’s downbeat squad have shipped 12 strikes in their first four Bundesliga showdowns.
Team News
Suffering from a long-term knee injury and not making a single Bundesliga appearance since the end of May, Borussia Monchengladbach will once again be without 32-year-old Christoph Kramer. The ex-Leverkusen midfielder will be joined on the sidelines by Jonas Omlin and Kouadio Kone this weekend.
Coming off the bench and notching his third Bundesliga strike of the season away at Darmstadt last weekend, Czech Republic international Tomas Cvancara should be handed a full recall on Saturday afternoon.
RB Leipzig
As for the visitors, opening their Champions League adventure with a routine 3-1 victory away at Young Boys in midweek, RB Leipzig have continued to shine on either side of September’s international break. With their sights now firmly set on mounting a genuine title charge this time around, the Red Bulls should be smelling the chance to lay down another marker here. Marking their return from the fortnight interval with a stellar 3-0 win at home against Augsburg, Marco Rose’s men have won each of their previous four appearances across all formats. With their recent purple patch highlighted by a 5-1 romp against a high-flying Stuttgart on August 25th, Leipzig will travel to Borussia-Park riding a real wave of momentum. Notching 14 strikes on their four-match winning flurry and really gaining a reputation for their free-flowing approach under the former Borussia Dortmund boss, it should also be noted that Rose’s side claimed a 3-0 victory when they last met Saturday’s opponents back on March 11th.
Team News
Once again missing out away at Young Boys earlier in the week after sustaining a recent knee injury, Leipzig are still sweating over the fitness of attacking talisman Dani Olmo. The Spanish international will be joined on the sidelines by the likes of Willi Orban and Amadou Haidara here.
Coming off the bench earlier in the week and now bagging four goals in as many appearances for club and country, Slovenian international Benjamin Sesko will be hoping to make a first start of the season on Saturday afternoon.
Key Factors to Consider
