Preview: Schalke 04 vs RB Leipzig - prediction, team news, lineups

RB Leipzig continue their quest for a place in the Bundesliga's top four on Saturday, when they travel to take on Schalke 04 at VELTINS-Arena.

The newly-promoted hosts are third last in 16th place with just six points, whereas their opponents are in fifth place with 12 points following their 4-0 win against Elversberg on October 24.

Match preview

Schalke come into the weekend's matchup having lost 2-0 against 2. Bundesliga side SG Dynamo Dresden in the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday.

While Saturday's hosts will not have seen the cup competition as a priority, it will alarm supporters that they are winless in four games, losing three times and drawing once.

Though Schalke currently rank as the top flight's worst offensive team having scored just four goals, boss Miron Muslic will be pleased that his players have only conceded on seven occasions, the third best defensive return in the league.

Their most recent Bundesliga result was a goalless stalemate with FC Koln on October 24, but while that point left them just three points from last-placed Borussia Monchengladbach, only three points separate them from ninth-placed Augsburg.

Die Konigsblauen's record at VELTINS-Arena has not been particularly positive considering they have taken just two points from a possible nine at home in the league, though one of those stalemates was a 0-0 draw with Bayern Munich on September 5.

Leipzig could end the weekend as high as third given just one point separates them from third-placed Freiburg, though they are just three points ahead of 11th-placed Hamburger SV.

Die Roten Bullen managed to advance into the third round of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday, beating Rot-Weiss Essen 2-1, and that was their second consecutive win after defeating Elversberg.

The visitors have now triumphed in four of their last six matches, and while they lost twice in that time, their losses came against Real Madrid in the Champions League and giants Bayern Munich in the top flight.

Boss Martin Demichelis's side have been outstanding in the final third in the Bundesliga, with only Bayern's tally of 25 goals better than his team's figure (20), though they have conceded 10 times in their past four contests.

Leipzig's success against Rot-Weiss Essen was welcome relief considering that win ended a streak of five consecutive losses on the road.

Schalke 04 Bundesliga form:

Schalke 04 form (all competitions):

RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:

RB Leipzig form (all competitions):

Team News

Schalke could be without as many as seven players for matchweek eight, with attackers Kenan Karaman, Moussa Sylla and Emil Hojlund ruled out entirely.

Chukwubuike Adamu and Hee-Chan Hwang will likely take up the spots in Schalke's front two, while Satoshi Tanaka and Janik Bachmann are candidates to play in the middle of the pitch.

Leipzig's injury problems are not particularly extensive, though with attacker Christopher Nkunku a doubt due to an adductor issue, expect to see Romulo lead the line ahead of attacking midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi.

Rocco Reitz and Neil El Aynaoui could be trusted together in a double pivot given Assan Ouedraogo (shoulder) is currently sidelined.

Castello Lukeba and Willi Orban continue to be stalwarts at the back, and there is no reason to doubt their inclusion ahead of goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt.

Schalke 04 possible starting lineup:

Karius; T Becker, Katic, Kurucay; Ebimbe, Tanaka, Bachmann, Aouchiche, V Becker; Adamu, Hwang

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Vandevoordt; Henrichs, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Reitz, El Aynaoui; Gruda, Banzuzi, Nusa; Romulo

We say: Schalke 04 0-1 RB Leipzig

Any away victory will almost certainly be narrow considering Schalke have been exceptional defensively this campaign.

Leipzig have been excellent in the final third, so while it may take some time to open the scoring, their firepower should be strong enough to get them over the line.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.