RB Leipzig will host Bayer Leverkusen this weekend at Red Bull Arena in what looks to be an important clash for both sides.
Leipzig will come into the match off the back of a disappointing two goal to nil defeat against TSG Hoffenheim that finds them sitting in 7th place however the good news is that they are only two points behind VFL Wolfsburg who currently occupy the last European place.
Despite losing by two goals to nil against Hoffenheim, Leipzig ran riot against Club Brugge in the champions league on Wednesday as they beat them by five goals to nil.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen come into the match having narrowly won against VFL Bochum that finds them in fourth place as they look to secure a champions league spot for next season.
Leverkusen also took a big step towards reaching the round of 32 of the Europa league as they narrowly beat Celtic by three goals to two to put them top of their group and with a three point advantage over Real Betis in second.
Team news
Jesse Marsch has got several key players missing. Péter Gulácsi, Willi Orban and Youseff Poulson are set to miss out having not been included in the matchday squad, while Marcel Halstenberg and Dani Olmo are set to miss out due to injury.
Leverkusen head coach Gerardo Seoane has only got a few injury concerns. Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Julian Baumgartlinger and Mitchel Bakker are all set to miss out, however the rest of the squad is available for selection.
Players to watch
RB Leipzig havehad a relatively underwhelming season so far, however the one bright spark has been the performances of french playmaker Christopher Nkunku.
Nkunku is the clubs outright top scorer this season with 12 goals six goals ahead of Emil Forsberg in second. In addition to his goals Nkunku has four assists which also makes him the club's leading player in assists.
Leipzig will need Nkunku to perform to his best ability if they want to beat Leverkusen on Sunday.
Bayer Leverkusen have had a good season up to this point with them sitting in fourth place and only a point behind SC Freiburg in third. In addition they have some very exciting teenagers in their squad with the pick of the bunch being 18 year old Florian Wirtz.
Wirtz is currently second in terms of goals scored for his clubs with Patrik Schick a mere one goal ahead of him, however in terms of assists he is miles clear of the rest with an impressive nine in 12 matches.
Leverkusen will hope Wirtz can continue his stellar form at the weekend and trouble the Leipzig defence.
last time out
The last time these two met was last January in a game that Leipzig won by one goal to nil.
Leipzig started the match the much better team and created an early chance in the fourth minute. Tyler Adams whipped a wicked ball into the box however Dani Olmo's header went wide.
Coming up to 25 minutes Leipzig were dominant with Leverkusen struggling to create anything attacking wise, however then the pace of the game slowed down dramatically with neither team able to create clear cut chances.
Leipzig again started the second half quickly and their goal in the 51st minute. Christopher Nkunku received the ball from Olmo in the Leipzig penalty box however his shot was blocked, but the richotched back to him and he smashed the ball into the top left hand corner.
Following the goal Leverkusen started to create chances and in the 58th minute Leon Bailey decided to have a shot from about 35 yards out however it sailed over the Leipzig crossbar.
Leipzig nearly got a second in the 62nd minute. Dani Olmo unleashed a venomous strike from inside the Leverkusen penalty box however Lukas Hrdecky was able to save it and prevent Leverkusen from going two goals down.
Leverkusen had a chance to draw level right at the death with Edmond Tapsoba. Kerim Demiraby passed the ball to Tapsoba on the edge of Leipzig's penalty box and he unleashed a blistering shot towards the bottom left hand corner of the goal, however Gulasci reacted brilliantly and was able to keep it out.
How to watch
Fans in the UK can watch the match on Sky Sports on Sunday afternoon while fans in the US can tune in via ESPN +.