RB Leipzig vs Hannover 96 Predictions

RB Leipzig were unable to produce a second successive top-four finish in the 17/18 season, and based off the way the Red Bulls have started the 18/19, you can only assume it’s in part due to the strain of juggling both league and European competition. Leipzig were comprehensively beat 4-1 away to Borussia Dortmund in their season opener – a match that came shortly after an away trip to Ukrainian outfit Zorya – before failing to take advantage of a very favourable fixture at home to newly promoted Dusseldorf last time out (a 1-1 draw) – just a few days after the home leg of that Europa League tie. Ralf Rangnick has been chopping and changing his starting line ups over the weeks, but should be back to fielding his best eleven with star man Timo Werner leading the line. He’s failed to score in three competitive outings so far this season, but did manage a goal and three assists in the two meetings against Hannover last term.

Hannover have begun the 2018/19 Bundesliga campaign with two seemingly uninteresting draws, one 0-0 at home to Borussia Dortmund, and 1-1 draw away to Werder Bremen. Nothing seems too special, but forward Hendrik Weydandt, a new signing from fourth tier side Germania Egestorfin, who was initially intended to strenghten Hannover’s reserve squad, is the man to have scored their only goal this season – albeit off the bench – just four years after playing at the amatuer level. Coach Breitenreiter will no doubt be thinking to keep him as an impact sub for now, especially with on loan striker Bobby Wood now back from suspension, but he’s one to watch for the future. Forward Niclas Fullkrug – the joint 3rd top scorer in the Bundesliga last season (14 goals) – will remain Hannover’s focal point in attack.

So what should we look for betting-wise in this match? For us, goals look unquestionable, with Leipzig boasting the Bundesliga’s 5th best attacking and 5th worst defensive records last season – the perfect combination for goals at both ends. Leipzig have kept just two clean sheets from their eight competitive outings so far in the 18/19 campaign (two Bundesliga, five Europa League and one DFB Pokal), and largely against much weaker opposition than Saturday’s opponents, while also conceding a massive 21 goals over their last eight Bundesliga outings when going back to last season. Simply put, RB Leipzig’s defense is struggling badly. Ralf Rangnick also has the disadvantage that more of his players have been off to represent their countries over the international break, one of which returned injured (Emil Forsberg), so a fresh Hannover will be looking to take advantage of tired legs.

Whether or not Hannover can get a result is another question. Timo Werner, though also having blanked in Germany’s match against France, is back into the swing of competitive football and RB Leipzig’s wealth of attacking talent, including that of Jean-Kevin Augustin, who has scored five goals over his last four Bundesliga outings, does give them an edge offensively. Leipzig have also recorded the joint-most shots on target of any team in the league this season (14), which only swings things further in their favour. Hannover’s recent results on the road leaves a lot to be desired – Breitenreiter’s men are without an away win in their last 13 Bundesliga away matches (D5 L8) – but it’s in their defense, not their offense, where the North Germans have struggled – Hannover have scored at least one in 10 of those 13 (77%). Our prediction: 3-1 Leipzig.