DSC Arminia Bielefeld vs. RB Leipzig.

2024-10-22

In a pivotal Bundesliga clash, relegation-battling Arminia Bielefeld hosts Champions League hopefuls RB Leipzig, as both teams vie for crucial points on the final day of the season.

DSC Arminia Bielefeld

Last weekend, Arminia Bielefeld suffered a 2-1 defeat to VfL Bochum at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion. Sebastian Polter had initially put Bochum ahead, but Joakim Nilsson restored parity before the break. An own goal from George Bello in the 89th minute ultimately secured the win for Bochum, leaving Bielefeld without a victory in their last five Bundesliga games, with recent outcomes being LLLDL.

Arminia Bielefeld currently sits in 17th place with 27 points from 5 wins, 12 draws, and 16 losses. A victory against Leipzig could see Bielefeld equal points with 17th–placed Stuttgart, should Stuttgart fail to earn a point against FC Köln on Saturday. However, Bielefeld would need a significant goal difference improvement, currently at -26, to advance.

If Stuttgart and Arminia Bielefeld end up tied on both points and goal difference, Bielefeld would progress to the playoffs based on their head-to-head record. Unfortunately, they have gone winless in ten Bundesliga games, with only two points from a possible 30 in their recent form (0W, 2D, 8L).

Interim manager Marco Kostmann might opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Serra leading the attack against the Red Bulls. In terms of availability, Klos is out with a fractured skull, and Lasme is sidelined due to a knee injury. Kunze is also a doubt for Saturday's clash due to illness.

RB Leipzig

Last weekend, RB Leipzig dominated FC Augsburg with a commanding 4-0 victory at the Red Bull Arena. This win allowed them to reclaim fourth place on the Bundesliga table at the expense of SC Freiburg. Christopher Nkunku scored a brace in the 48th and 57th minutes, while Andre Silva and Emil Forsberg also found the back of the net in the 40th and 64th minutes, respectively.

The Red Bulls have accumulated 57 points from 17 wins, 6 draws, and 10 losses. They are aiming for back-to-back victories as they strive to finish fourth and secure a spot in the 68th edition of the UEFA Champions League. Impressively, RB Leipzig have won five of their last six Bundesliga away games and are keen to add another victory on the final day of the season.

Domenico Tedesco might field a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Andre Silva and Christopher Nkunku leading the attack. Nkunku, having scored 20 goals this season, has garnered interest from European clubs such as AC Milan and Barcelona, though reports suggest he may prefer a move to Chelsea in the Premier League. With 14 assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances, his contribution in the final third stands at an impressive 48% for the Red Bulls.