Preview:SV Sandhausen vs RB Leipzig - prediction, team news, lineups

RB Leipzig boss Ole Werner will take charge of his first competitive game on Saturday, when his side face hosts SV Sandhausen at GP Stadion am Hardtwald in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.

Fourth-tier side SV Sandhausen are in the relegation zone of the Southwest division after two games, while Die Roten Bullen are yet to start their Bundesliga campaign but enter the 2025-26 season with former Werder Bremen manager Werner in charge.

Match preview

The home side lost 3-2 against Stuttgarter Kickers on August 10, and the defeat was their second loss in the league, leaving them fourth last in 15th place.

Sandhausen were relegated from the third tier last season, and they have now conceded at least two goals in 14 of their past 15 matches.

Manager Olaf Janssen's side were beaten in the DFB-Pokal by FC Koln in 2024-25, losing 3-2 in the first round, and their elimination was the fifth time they have been beaten at the first stage in their nine most recent campaigns in the tournament.

The hosts have lost 15 of their last 17 competitive outings, with the team only achieving one victory in that time.

Sandhausen are winless at GP Stadion am Hardtwald in eight games, and they only managed to draw once in those matches while failing to score on five occasions.

Leipzig finished seventh in the Bundesliga in 2024-25, missing out on European football for the first time since their debut season in the top flight in 2016-17.

Previous boss Marco Rose was dismissed from his post on March 30 following a period of three wins, three losses and five draws in 11.

Die Roten Bullen's record in the DFB-Pokal has been strong, winning two of the past four editions of the competition, while also reaching the semi-final stage in 2024-25.

Werner's team have been beaten in their two most recent friendlies but were triumphant in their prior three, netting 15 and conceding five in those five matches.

Leipzig struggled for positive results away from home last term, suffering six losses and settling for five stalemates in their final 12 games on the road.

SV Sandhausen form (all competitions):

RB Leipzig friendly form:

Team News

SV Sandhausen centre-backs Benedikt Wimmer and Tim Knipping will be tasked with shielding goalkeeper Arthur Lyska.

In the middle of the pitch, expect Yannick Osee, Denis Pfaffenroth and Luca de Meester to support striker Maximilian Wagner.

Leipzig will head into the clash without striker Benjamin Sesko, who was sold to Manchester United, meaning the most likely duo to feature up front are Lois Openda and Johan Bakayoko.

Despite being linked with a move to Chelsea, playmaker Xavi Simons is still at the club, and Werner will want to use him on Saturday.

Central defender Castello Lukeba has also been subject of interest this summer, but since he is still in Germany, he will almost certainly be selected in the backline alongside centre-back Willi Orban.

SV Sandhausen possible starting lineup:

Lyska; Gipson, Wimmer, Knipping, Kolbe; Osee, Pfaffenroth, De Meester; Mamutovic, Wagner, Halbauer

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Vandevoordt; Nedeljkovic, Lukeba, Orban, Raum; Nusa, Schlager, Vermeeren, Simons; Bakayoko, Openda