RB Leipzig – Hamburg

Leipzig won't be able to easily beat the underdog.

Ten years ago Leipzig burst into the elite of German football, becoming the most successful project of the Red Bull company. From finishing second in the 2. Bundesliga, the Bulls immediately climbed to second place in the Bundesliga, earning a spot in the Champions League. For several years Leipzig represented Germany in the premier European club competition and sometimes even contended with Bayern Munich for the title on the domestic stage. In recent years the club has been sliding badly in the Bundesliga. Last season the team even failed to reach European qualification places in the Bundesliga, and for the first time since joining Germany's top flight did not qualify for continental tournaments. The frequent turnover of coaching staffs also testifies to deep problems in the club's system. After finishing third in the previous season, Ole Werner left the squad and was replaced by Martin Demichelis. Just after four official matches under his leadership, debates among supporters about the correctness of the managerial change are flaring. If at the end of August Leipzig managed to beat the nondescript Eintracht Trier in the German Cup, and in the league to crush the limping Borussia Mönchengladbach, then away trips to Bremen and Como brought the Bulls bitter disappointments in the form of two defeats with an overall score of 2-7. Especially disheartening is Demichelis' team's performance in Italy, where in the opening match of the Champions League Leipzig were crushed 4-1 by Como. Hamburg last season returned to the Bundesliga and managed to establish themselves there. The Dinosaurs' squad is three times cheaper than their opponent's, but the backbone of the team is perhaps better formed. Hamburg in the off-season did not lose its leaders, such as the departure from Leipzig of Jan Diomande or Louis Openda. Undoubtedly, Merlin Polzin's charges started the season poorly, losing to Borussia Dortmund and Mainz with a total score of 0-7. However, such slumps occurred with Hamburg in the previous season as well, but did not turn into long losing streaks. Last season Polzin's team lost to Leipzig twice, both times 1-2. Both matches were hard-fought. It is worth betting that the visitors will build the right strategy for the match against opponents who are fatigued after their game in Italy.