RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa Prediction: Sesko can trouble shaky defence

RB Leipzig entertain Aston Villa at Red Bull Arena in the Uefa Champions League on Tuesday (20:00, Prime Video) still searching for their first win of the campaign. Marco Rose's side have lost all five of their European encounters to date and will be hoping that their fortunes can change against the Villans.

Unai Emery's side have posted back-to-back wins in the Premier League after an eight-game winless streak across all competitions, so they have failed to win their last two Champions League matches. Read on for my RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa prediction, accompanied by team news and match odds.

RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa Odds

RB Leipzig are 6/4, or a 40% chance, to claim victory here. They have not won a European game yet but they have won three of their six home games in the Bundesliga. Aston Villa are priced at the same odds to take the three points and have won one of their two away matches in the Champions League so far.

The draw can be backed at 9/4 (30.8%) - which has struck just once in European games involving these two sides this season and that was Villa's goalless draw with Juventus last time out.

Both teams to score has struck in three of Leipzig's European ties so far, and it is 1/2 to land on Tuesday. In those three games, over 2.5 goals has also been a winning selection, which is priced at 8/13 for this contest.

Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko has scored three goals in the UCL so far, and he is 5/1 to open the scoring.

Football Odds

Team News

Xavi Simons is the standout absentee for the hosts due to injury, while Yussuf Poulsen, David Raum, Eljif Elmas and El Chadaille Bitshiabu are also in the medical bay.

Castello Lukeba is struggling with a problem with his thigh but he's serving a one-match suspension so he wouldn't be involved anyway. After scoring 24 goals last season, in which four came in the Champions League, Lois Openda is struggling to hit the same heights, as he awaits to get off the mark in Europe.

Sesko is having no such trouble with three goals already, and both are expected to start in attack for the German side. Antonio Nusa is another attacking options, with the Norway international posting a hat-trick of assists in the DFB-Pokal win over Eintracht Frankfurt last week.

He's another one who is having some joy in front of goal in this competition, having already struck against Atletico Madrid and Juventus.

For Villa, winger Leon Bailey picked up a hamstring issue in the Premier League win over Southampton at the weekend, and now the Jamaican faces a few weeks out of action. Jacob Ramsey is another attacker the Villans are missing.

They did welcome back Amadou Onana from a foot problem against the Saints, as well as goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who is expected to start again in Germany.

Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres are expected to partner one another in defence again, while Lucas Digne and Matty Cash should aid them as the full-backs. Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemens could line up in the middle of the park, while Jaden Philogene, Morgan Rogers and John McGinn play just in front.

Emery has a decision to make up top as Jhon Duran started and scored against Southampton, but Ollie Watkins will be eager to come back into the XI.

Draw or Aston Villa and both teams to score @ 23/20

Leipzig have had a tough time of it in the Champions League so far with five straight defeats, but they have been competitive in many of them. Some would say that their luck has to change, but it would need to happen fast with just three games left.

As the home side, I expect them to come out the traps flying to try and disrupt Villa, which may or may not startle the English visitors. About a week ago, I would have considered this Leipzig's best chance to win a European match, and to a degree it still is as Villa's attacking options are limited.

However, after ending their eight-game winless run with two wins on the bounce in the Premier League, they will fancy themselves to get back to winning ways in the Champions League. In their 0-0 draw with Juve, they were harshly denied a late winner because of VAR intervention, and I can see them wanting to take out this frustration on Leipzig.

I still believe there are question marks surrounding their defence, though, which could present opportunities for Leipzig's attackers. However, Villa have handled themselves against much stronger opponents so far and should be looking to come away with a result against a side without a single point on the board.

As such, I think we will see goals at both ends here, because it has occurred frequently for the hosts, but I'm going with draw or Villa on this occasion.

Benjamin Sesko anytime goalscorer @ 9/5

Seeing as I think Villa's back line is vulnerable, I believe that Sesko can profit against them on Tuesday night. The Slovenian international has scored three already in this competition and undoubtedly brings the biggest goal threat for his side.

He seems to be having a lot more success in Europe than domestically as he is just one goal off his Bundesliga total - in eight less appearances. Sesko is a forward who doesn't shy away from trickery, he often likes to take on defenders, while not much has to be said about his finishing quality.

The 21-year-old has blanked in his last three European outings but he did grab a league goal at the weekend against Holstein Kiel. This should give him a needed confidence boost ahead of facing Villa.

Offers

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