Predicted RB Leipzig v Bayer Leverkusen XIs: Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda to return | OneFootball

Marco Rose will make late decisions on Castello Lukeba and Peter Gulacsi ahead of their Bundesliga clash against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

Lukeba returned to training and could be an option but if the Frenchman fails a late fitness test, expect Lukas Klostermann to start in central defence alongside Willi Orban with Lutsharel Geertruida and David Raum at full-back.

Xaver Schlager, Benjamin Henrichs and Assan Ouedraogo remain sidelined. Xavi Simons has scored two and created one in three league games since his return from a knee injury while Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko will also return to the starting XI after they both missed the 3-3 draw against Bochum through suspension.

As for Bayer Leverkusen, they will look to maintain the pressure on Bayern Munich with just four points separating the two teams. Because of European fixtures in consecutive and with automatic qualification for the knockout stages entirely possible, Xabi Alonso may switch focus but will be wary as to make too many changes.

As such, Robert Andrich could come in for Exequiel Palacios alongside Granit Xhaka while Aleix Garcia also remains a viable option. Amine Adli and Martin Terrier are injured long term while Alejo Sarco is short of match fitness.

RB Leipzig v Bayer Leverkusen Predicted Line-Ups

RB Leipzig: Vandevoordt – Geertruida, Orban, Klostermann, Raum – Vermeeren, A. Haidara – Xavi, Nusa – Openda, Sesko

Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky – Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie – Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo – Tella, Wirtz – Schick

GGFN | Daniel Pinder