RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | Bundesliga 2025/26

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — Match Preview

A blockbuster “Topspiel” awaits at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday, 20 December 2025. This clash between 2nd and 4th is a direct battle for Champions League supremacy. RB Leipzig (29 points) sit in second place but are looking to bounce back from a stinging 3–1 defeat to Union Berlin. Bayer Leverkusen (26 points) are just three points behind and arrive with renewed confidence after winning the Rhine Derby against FC Köln and securing a hard-fought draw against Newcastle in the Champions League. With both squads decimated by injuries and international call-ups (AFCON preparations), depth will be tested to the limit.

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — Match Info

• Competition: Bundesliga (Matchday 15)
• Venue: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig (Capacity: 47,800)¹
• Date: Saturday, 20 December 2025
• Kickoff: 18:30 CET | 17:30 GMT | 23:00 IST
• Referee: TBC (DFB Appointment)

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — Match Stakes

RB Leipzig (2nd — 29 pts):

• Win → Moves to 32 pts; solidifies 2nd place and keeps pressure on Bayern
• Draw → Maintains the 3-point gap to Leverkusen
• Loss → Leverkusen draws level on points (29); drags Leipzig into a tight top-4 scrap

Bayer Leverkusen (4th — 26 pts):

• Win → Moves to 29 pts; leaps into the top 3 discussion
• Draw → a decent away result given the defensive crisis
• Loss → Gap to Leipzig widens to 6 points; risks falling behind Dortmund/Frankfurt

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — Team News

RB Leipzig:

• AFCON Absences: Haidara A. (Mali) — Out
• Injury Crisis: Henrichs B. (Achilles), Baku R. (Ankle), Nusa A. (Ankle), Ouedraogo A. (Knee).
• Midfield Void: Kampl K. (Personal Reasons) — Out.
• Questionable: Lucas (Muscle).

Bayer Leverkusen:

• Defensive Crisis: Tapsoba E. (Burkina Faso – AFCON), Diomande Y. (Ivory Coast – AFCON), Quansah J. (Suspended – Yellow Cards).
• Midfield/Attack: Palacios E. (Groin) — Out. Maza I. (Algeria – AFCON) — Out.
• Questionable: Schick P. (Ankle), Poku E. (Injury).
• Note: Leverkusen is missing 3 key center-back options.

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

RB Leipzig

• 13/12 — 1–3 vs Union Berlin (Bundesliga)
• 06/12 — 6–0 vs Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga)²
• 03/12 — 3–1 vs Magdeburg (DFB-Pokal)
• 29/11 — 0–0 vs Gladbach (Bundesliga)
• 23/11 — 2–0 vs Werder Bremen (Bundesliga)

Bayer Leverkusen

• 13/12 — 2–0 vs FC Köln (Bundesliga)
• 11/12 — 2–2 vs Newcastle (UCL)
• 06/12 — 0–2 vs Augsburg (Bundesliga)
• 03/12 — 1–0 vs Dortmund (DFB-Pokal)
• 29/11 — 1–2 vs Dortmund (Bundesliga)

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)

• 25/01/2025 — RB Leipzig 2–2 Bayer Leverkusen
• 31/08/2024 — Bayer Leverkusen 2–3 RB Leipzig
• 20/01/2024 — RB Leipzig 2–3 Bayer Leverkusen
• 19/08/2023 — Bayer Leverkusen 3–2 RB Leipzig
• 23/04/23 — Bayer Leverkusen 2–0 RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

RB Leipzig (4-2-2-2)

Gulácsi; Klostermann, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Seiwald, Vermeeren; Simons, Baumgartner; Openda, Sesko

Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-2-1)

Hradecky; Mukiele, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Hofmann; Boniface

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — Impact Bench

RB Leipzig: Silva (Finisher), Elmas (Creative spark)

Bayer Leverkusen: Adli (Pace vs tired legs), Tella (Wing option), Terrier (Goal threat)

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — Tactical Analysis

RB Leipzig

Marco Rose faces a headache at right-back with Henrichs and Baku out; Klostermann will likely fill in, offering less attacking width. This puts the creative burden heavily on Xavi Simons and David Raum on the left. Leipzig will look to exploit Leverkusen’s makeshift backline—without Tapsoba, Diomande, and Quansah, the visitors lack pace centrally. Openda’s speed in the channels is the key weapon.

Bayer Leverkusen

Xabi Alonso has a defensive emergency. He will likely rely on Tah to marshal Hincapie and potentially Mukiele in a back three. Leverkusen will try to control possession through Xhaka and Wirtz to protect their depleted defense. Expect them to target Leipzig’s right side, overloading Klostermann with Grimaldo and Wirtz. It will be a high-risk, high-reward approach.

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — Key Battles

• Openda vs Tah — Speed vs Strength. Crucial duel given Leverkusen’s missing CBs.
• Wirtz vs Seiwald — The magician vs the destroyer.
• Frimpong vs Raum — A clash of arguably the two best attacking wing-backs in the league.
• Sesko vs Hincapie — Aerial threat vs aggressive defending.

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — Spotlight Players

RB Leipzig — Loïs Openda

With Leverkusen missing their fastest defenders (Tapsoba/Diomande), Openda’s blistering pace is the biggest threat on the pitch. If he gets service, he scores.

Bayer Leverkusen — Florian Wirtz

In big games, Wirtz is the difference-maker. With Schick doubtful and Palacios out, Wirtz must carry the creative load and link up with Boniface to outscore Leipzig.

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — Prediction

RB Leipzig 3–2 Bayer Leverkusen

History suggests goals (19 goals in the last 5 meetings!). Leverkusen’s defense is ravaged by AFCON and suspensions, which plays perfectly into Leipzig’s fast-transition style. While Wirtz and Boniface will cause damage, Leipzig’s attack should overpower a makeshift Leverkusen backline in a thrilling shootout.

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — Betting Insights

• Over 3.5 Goals — High Value (H2H average is nearly 4 goals/game)
• Both Teams to Score — YES (Almost guaranteed)
• Loïs Openda to Score — Likely

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — Where to Watch

• Germany: Sky Sport Bundesliga
• UK: Sky Sports Football
• USA: ESPN+
• International: SonyLIV (India), Star+

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen — FAQs

Q: When is the RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen match?

A: The match kicks off on Saturday, 20 December 2025, at 18:30 CET.

Q: Why are so many players missing?

A: A combination of injuries and early releases for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which impacts players like Tapsoba, Haidara, and Diomande.

Q: Who is suspended?

A: Jarell Quansah (Leverkusen) is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.³

Q: Is Patrik Schick playing?

A: He is questionable with an ankle injury. Victor Boniface is expected to start.

Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community

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