RB Leipzig vs Hoffenheim prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2023-12-15 17:30.
RB Leipzig’s big guns are set to be recalled as they return to Bundesliga action here. The German outfit had already qualified for the UEFA Champions League knock-out stages ahead of the 2-1 victory over Young Boys in midweek, meaning manager Marco Rose decided to rotate his squad for their final group match. Therefore the likes of Loïs Openda, Janis Blaswich and Xavi Simons, all ever-present in the league this season, should be fresh for the club’s final two games of 2023.
The first of those is at home to Hoffenheim, where Leipzig will be looking to extend their run of three successive victories across all competitions. Such form means it looks like Rose’s side have turned a corner, having previously lost four games out of six (W2), although each of those defeats came on the road, whereas they have won five in a row at the Red Bull Arena.
History suggests they have every chance of extending that run against their visitors, who have lost nine of the last 12 H2Hs (W1, D2). Hoffenheim have a bit of confidence themselves though, thanks to finally ending a run of five matches without a victory (D2, L3) in their most recent clash when they beat struggling Bochum 3-1 on home soil.
Manager Pellegrino Matarazzo described his side’s performance in that game as “an important step” as they got their bid to qualify for Europe for only the fourth time back on track. However, the Blues’ record against the Bundesliga’s big hitters is a major concern, given four of their five league defeats so far this season have come against teams in the top half of the table ahead of this round of fixtures (W1, D1).
Key battle: RB Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen is attempting to net in a fourth successive league game for the first time in his career. Oliver Baumann will be looking to thwart him, although the Hoffenheim goalkeeper has only managed one clean sheet in eight away H2Hs (W1, D2, L5), conceding 2+ times in five of those fixtures.
Hot stat: RB Leipzig are the only team in the Bundesliga yet to concede a home goal in the opening 30 minutes of a league match this season.