Preview: RB Leipzig vs Heidenheim - prediction, team news, lineups

RB Leipzig must bounce back in the Bundesliga following their humiliation against Bayern Munich by earning a positive positive result against visitors Heidenheim on Saturday at Red Bull Arena.

The hosts were trounced 6-0 by the top-flight champions in their opening matchweek on August 22, though their opponents were also beaten in their first game, losing 3-1 against Wolfsburg on August 23.

Match preview

Die Roten Bullen may have had hopes of starting the league season well under the direction of new boss Ole Werner, but they trailed 3-0 by the half-time interval against Bayern.

RB Leipzig started their 2025-26 campaign with a 4-2 triumph in the DFB-Pokal against Sandhausen on August 16, but they have conceded eight times in two matches, a figure they did not reach until their 11th game of 2024-25.

Werner's side failed to create a single big chance against Bayern, though they might consider themselves unfortunate given they only faced 1.72 xG on the night.

The hosts are last in the table in 18th place, but despite their loss last time out, they will still have their sights on a European place in the top six considering they have qualified for UEFA competitions in eight of their nine top-flight campaigns.

Leipzig have only achieved victory in one of their past seven competitive outings, and they were beaten three times in that period while conceding at least two goals in five of those matches.

The home team also failed to get the better of any of their final three opponents at Red Bull Arena, though one of their two draws in that stretch came against champions Bayern.

Opponents Heidenheim were deservedly beaten by Wolfsburg considering they faced four big chances and produced just two shots inside the box, with the victors otherwise restricting them to speculative attempts from distance.

The visitors did advance into the second round of the DFB-Pokal following their 5-0 win against Bahlinger on August 16, and they have also kept three clean sheets in their five most recent league outings.

Frank Schmidt managed to help his team earn a point when they drew 2-2 with Leipzig in the corresponding fixture in 2024-25, but they lost each of their prior three meetings with their hosts.

Heidenheim head to Red Bull Arena having won three of their past five competitive games, with the club losing twice in that time.

Schmidt will hope that his team can extend their winning streak on the road to five matches, and his side have only been beaten once in their last nine away from home.

RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:

RB Leipzig form (all competitions):

Heidenheim Bundesliga form:

Heidenheim form (all competitions):

Team News

With considerable speculation surrounding the future of RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, it would not be surprising if he was left out of the team in favour of Christoph Baumgartner.

While the hosts were poor from a defensive perspective, fans should still expect Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba to play in the heart of defence.

Lois Openda is among the only options left to lead the club's forward line, though Werner will hope that newcomer Johan Bakayoko can supply the striker chances from the right flank.

As for Heidenheim, the head injury that left wing-back Jonas Fohrenbach suffered against Wolfsburg is likely to keep him sidelined on Saturday, with Mathias Honsak a candidate to replace him.

Benedikt Gimber may be fielded in the middle of a back three, while Niklas Dorsch and Jan Schoppner could start in a double pivot.

Leo Scienza scored against Wolfsburg, and he will demand a place in one of two supporting roles behind centre-forward Budu Zivzivadze.

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Gulacsi; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Seiwald, Schlager, Baumgartner; Bakayoko, Openda, Nusa

Heidenheim possible starting lineup:

Ramaj; Mainka, Gimber, Siersleben; Busch, Dorsch, Schoppner, Honsak; Scienza, Ibrahimovic; Zivzivadze

We say: RB Leipzig 2-1 Heidenheim

Heidenheim's offensive performance against Wolfsburg was poor, and they must improve if they are to give themselves a chance of victory.

RB Leipzig's defence has been subpar this season, but while they could feasibly concede on the weekend, their record against the visitors is strong and they should still have enough quality in the forward line to claim all three points.

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