RB Leipzig face Dortmund in the DFB Pokal-Cup final on Thursday at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. The sides met on Saturday in the Bundesliga as BVB won 3-2 at home. Dortmund’s last trophy was this cup in 2017 whilst RB Leipzig have never won a major trophy and can make history if Julian Nagelsmann’s side win this cup..
Leipzig are not in the best form. Having lost to Bayern Munich in early April, the side have continued to drop points in the Bundesliga as they drew 0-0 with Hoffenheim at home and 2-1 at Koln.
They did win back to back matches after beating Stuttgart 2-0 and winning 2-1 at Werder Bremen in the DFB semi-final ten days ago. Last weekend, they lost 3-2 at Dortmund. After trailing 2-0, Leipzig came back to 2-2 through Lukas Klostermann and Daniel Olmo goals before conceding a late goal to lose.
RB Leipzig Team News
Julian Nagelsmann is without young winger Lazar Samardzic is absent with knee injury and has injury doubts over two key midfielders in Tyler Adams and Christopher Nkunku.
The coach made several changes to his lineup for last weekend to get a few surprises up his sleeve for the final. Yussuf Poulsen was an unused sub but should lead the attack whilst Ibrahima Konate could be set for recall in the back three. Amadou Haidara will also hope to start in the attacking midfield positions.
RB Leipzig Motivation
Considering the rotation in his selection last week and the fact that all doubtful players were protected from injury by being left out, this match is clearly top priority. Nagelsmann will be desperate to win silverware for the first time in his career ahead of taking over at Bayern Munich next season.
Motivation in the league may have dipped for the players since the coach announced his departure but they will be very eager to win this trophy.
Dortmund Form
Dortmund are in very good form. Having suffered a dip in results which saw four defeats in eight matches including home and away losses to Man City in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and a home loss to Eintracht Frankfurt, Dortmund are back to their best.
BVB have won five league matches in a row with 14 goals scored. After a 2-0 win at Wolfsburg as Erling Haaland scored a brace, Edin Terzic’s side beat Holstein Kiel 5-0 to reach the DFB cup final. On Saturday, Dortmund beat RB Leipzig 3-2 to move back in to the top four with two matches left to play.
Dortmund Team News
Dortmund welcome back Jude Bellingham in midfield for this match after suspension. He looks certain to start with Emre Can likely to drop back into defence. Mateu Morey is injured at right back so 35-year-old Lukasz Piszczek could start.
Marco Reus, Gio Reyna and on-fire, Jaden Sancho will be three of the front four but the big question mark is over whether Erling Haaland will be fit to play. It was assumed that he was rested for the cup semi-final but he then missed the league match on Saturday altogether with fluid on the knee. He is 50-50 to start. Another player BVB will be without in goalkeeper Marwin Hitz after his injury in the last match – meaning Roman Burki will start.
Dortmund Motivation
Dortmund will want to win this trophy without doubt and give full focus to this match but finishing in the top four is more important. They face a trip to Mainz on Sunday before hosting Bayer Leverkusen in their final match.
The side will want to avoid extra time with a quick turnaround to playing on Sunday plus coach Edin Terzic may not risk Haaland if he isn’t fully fit if it means he may miss key Bundesliga matches
Key Stats
RB Leipzig have lost 3 of their last 6 Bundesliga matches
Nagelsmann has only won 1 of his 11 Bundesliga meetings with Dortmund (L6, D4)
Dortmund have won their last 5 matches
Dortmund have scored in their last 45 matches in all competitions
Dortmund are 7 matches unbeaten against RB Leipzig (W5, D2)
Prediction
This will be another close match between these sides and Dortmund hold the form and head to head advantage. However, RB Leipzig may be more motivated with no distractions in the league and both Nagelsmann and Dayot Upemecano keen to leave with a medal around their necks. The possible absence of Haaland is also a major factor.
Best Bet: RB Leipzig win at 2.60
Best Bet: Both teams to score at 1.60
Alternative Bet: RB Leipzig win and both to score at 4.10
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