Leipzig vs Dusseldorf: Goals on the menu in Saxony

RB Leipzig host Fortuna Dusseldorf at the Red Bull Arena still on a high from their Europa League qualification. This fixture has seen lots of goals with the trend set to continue on Sunday.

Leipzig celebrated qualifying for the Europa League group stage with a 3-2 comeback win against Zorya on Thursday. After a goalless draw in Ukraine, Leipzig were staring at a humiliating exit after they found themselves 2-0 down early in the second half.

Jean-Kévin Augustin and Emil Forsberg came off the bench to score, Forsberg keeping his composure with an injury time penalty to seal the deal. It relieves the pressure on manager Ralf Rangnick who saw his side play well in their Bundesliga opener, but ultimately fall to a 4-1 loss at Borussia Dortmund.

Rangnick could make changes here with Dayot Upamecano, Diego Demme and Nordi Mukiele in line for a return alongside Augustin and Forsberg. Leipzig have to find a way to tighten up a defence that hasn’t kept a clean sheet in their last nine Bundesliga games. 

Fortuna returned to the Bundesliga after a five year absence by winning the 2. Bundesliga. Manager Friedhelm Funkel has been in charge since March 2016 and has a tough job keeping his side in the top flight on a limited budget.

Dusseldorf took a 1-0 lead into half-time against Augsburg but couldn’t hold on at home in their season opener. A 2-1 defeat was a stern reminder of the step up in class and it gets no easier with a trip to Leipzig.

Benito Raman scored Dusseldorf’s goal and could be an important player this after netting 10 times last season. Matthias Zimmermann provided the assist from right-back and could be a valuable asset on loan from Stuttgart.

New signing Marvin Ducksch was the top scorer in the 2. Bundesliga last season and could get a chance up front here. 

These clubs met four times in the 2. Bundesliga between 2014 and 2016. The first match was a 2-2 draw before Leipzig won the next three encounters including both home games.

Some familiar names were on the scoresheet for Leipzig including Yussuf Poulsen, Emil Forsberg and Marcel Sabitzer.

Dusseldorf held their own against Ausburg are were unlucky to lose, but they have to prove they can compete on the road. Their previous Bundesliga campaign was horrendous away from home and they have to turn that around.

Leipzig will do them no favours here and with influential players like Forsberg and Upamecano set to start, I’m expecting the home side to attack from the start here.

Leipzig have been conceding an alarming amount of goals recently. They are too short to trust at 1.40 so we turn to the goals markets.

Over 2.5 goals is the logical play with over 3.5 goals worth a shout.

Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals at 1.60

Over / Under 3.5 Goals: Over 3.5 Goals @ 2.53