RB Leipzig vs Hoffenheim Prediction: Diomande can score on demand

RB Leipzig welcome Hoffenheim to the Red Bull Arena in the Bundesliga (19:30 GMT, BBC iPlayer) with Champions League qualification in their sights. Ole Werner’s side are fifth at press time, with a three-point gap to make up on fourth-placed Stuttgart. But Hoffenheim are third and a win would solidify their own continental ambitions.

Keep reading for my RB Leipzig vs Hoffenheim predictions with the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Leipzig boss Ole Werner has a number of players on the sideline, including first-choice goalkeeper Peter Gulasci (knee) and winger Ayodele Thomas (muscle).

The home side will also be without midfielders Forzan Assan Ouedraogo and Viggo Gebel (both knee) and full back Kosta Nedeljkovic (back).

Hoffenheim make the trip to the Red Bull Arena without Valentin Gendrey (ankle), Koki Machida (cruciate) and Adam Hlozek (calf). The visitors are also missing Kelven Olagie Frees through illness.

Football Odds

RB Leipzig vs Hoffenheim Odds

Leipzig are the 9/10 favourites for this one while Hoffenheim weigh in at 23/10. The draw is on the market at 16/5.

Both teams to score is 2/5 while Leipzig are 13/10 to be leading at half time.

Draw @ 16/5

These sides are closely-matched in the Bundesliga table. Leipzig are fifth, three points off third-placed Hoffenheim. Neither club has sparkled in recent weeks. Die Roten Bullen have won two of their last five, and lost to Augsburg last weekend. 

Their opponents Hoffenheim are also on a two-from-five run. Christian Ilzer’s men have got goals in them, as shown by a 4-2 victory over Heidenheim and a 3-0 win at home to Freiburg. But a 5-1 battering at the hands of Bayern and draws with Koln and Wolfsburg have exposed vulnerabilities.

I think these teams will square up with parity and a potentially-thrilling game will end in a stalemate.

Yan Diomande to score anytime @ 8/5

Most of Leipzig’s goals come from Christoph Baumgartner or this man; Yan Diomande. The former has landed punches in bunches recently with braces against Borussia Dortmund and Koln last month. 

But Diomande edges this based on the spread of his goals. Baumgartner’s 10 league strikes have come in seven different games. The 26-year-old has scored in just one of his side’s last five Bundesliga outings. 

Meanwhile, Diomande has bagged in eight matches, including three in his last five in the league. The winger wins the inter-squad battle, and I think he will put his potency to use against Hoffenheim.

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.