RB Leipzig v Man Utd – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

RB Leipzig host Man Utd at the Red Bull Arena on Tuesday night in a crunch UEFA Champions League clash. Qualification is on the line for both teams with a draw enough for Man Utd to progress but RB Leipzig need a win at home (or a draw and for PSG to lose to Istanbul Basaksehir). It promises to be an enthralling game in Germany.

RB Leipzig Form

After losing 5-0 to Man Utd in October – a game where Leipzig were as good as United for the first 73 minutes before collapsing – the side has recovered well. A home win against PSG and an away victory at Istanbul Basaksehir means they have a chance of progress in the final match.

In the Bundesliga, they have won six and drawn three (1L) of their 10 matches thus far. This past weekend saw a thrilling 3-3 away draw with Bayern Munich having trailed 2-1.

RB Leipzig Team News

The big news for Julian Nagelsmann is the suspension at centre back for Dayot Upamecano. That is a major blow against the pace that Man Utd have at their disposal. That is not helped by the continued absence of Lukas Klostermann at the back after knee surgery.

Also missing are Konrad Laimer in midfield, Benjamin Henrichs at right-back and Fabrice Hartmann on the right-wing. Hee-chan Hwang is doubtful in attack after testing positive for COVID-19.

RB Leipzig Motivation

Nagelsmann is in a straightforward position knowing that his side has to win the match (assuming PSG win) and therefore they have little choice but to attack. The German coaching prodigy will need to decide between a back three or the back four that he used against Bayern Munich.

Upfront, Yussuf Poulsen will surely start but both Emil Forsberg and winger Justin Kluivert are pushing for involvement alongside him after goals against Bayern.

Man United Form

Man Utd have been in good form of late, despite some leaky performances at the back. The side has put together a 3-1 win at Everton, a 1-0 home win against West Brom and then a 4-1 thrashing of Istanbul Basaksehir.

Either side of a disappointing 3-1 defeat to PSG were thrilling come-from-behind wins at Southampton (3-2 after being 2-0 down) and West Ham (3-1 after being 1-0 down after 64 minutes).

Despite this run of five wins in six matches, Man Utd still have an air of inconsistency and unpredictability about them and it’s not easy to know what to expect performance and results-wise in Germany.

PSG Team News

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has quite a few problems to deal with for this trip. Both Anthony Martial and Edison Cavani went off injured against West Ham and could miss out. In goal, David De Gea is doubtful due to a knee injury but he should return for his experience in this big match. If he doesn’t play, then Dean Henderson will deputise.

Man Utd are without Fred as the Brazilian midfielder is suspended after his red card against PSG. It remains to be seen if Paul Pogba is given the nod in central midfield. Luke Shaw is still missing.

PSG Motivation

Solskjaer has a slightly strange scenario where his side only needs a draw and could get stuck between sitting back and trying to attack. In the first meetings against RB Leipzig, they struggled for an out-ball for much of the second half and were under pressure before Marcus Rashford came on to score a hattrick in the final 20 minutes.

The approach taken by the coach will be clear once the starting XI is released. If he goes with Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic in his midfield with Paul Pogba on the bench, then an abrasive and defensive approach is expected.

Of course, Man Utd could try to win and top the group but even a victory won’t be enough to do that if PSG win due to the French side’s superior head to head record against Man Utd.

Tuchel’s side really need to get a result from this match. A win that also takes them above Man Utd on head to head (currently 2-1 down on “aggregate”) is ideal. PSG will also hope that RB Leipzig drop points away Istanbul. Should PSG draw this match and win their final one at home then they would still need RB Leipzig and Man Utd to draw in the final game so they have to try to win here and have more control of their own fortunes.

Key Stats

Manchester United have seen Both Teams to Score yes in 6 of their last 7 matches

Man Utd have seen Both Teams to score in their last 6 away matches

The Red Devils have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches

Leipzig have seen over 2.5 in their last 4 home matches

Man Utd’s last 10 away matches have seen over 2.5 goals in each of them

Manchester Utd have won 5 their last 6 matches

United have won 8 of their last 9 away matches

Leipzig have won 7 home matches in a row

Prediction

This game is difficult to call. Leipzig are very strong at home and Man Utd have been unbelievable on their travels of late. Man Utd only need a draw and at 2.80 that is a tempting bet. It does seem likely that this will be a game with goals in it.