#RBLB04: Facts and stats ahead of away game at Leipzig

in good form?

Since the 4-1 defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the opening match, RB Leipzig have not lost again in the league and are currently fourth in the table on 19 points. Over all competitions, the Europa League participants from eastern Germany have not lost in ten games (seven wins, three draws) and have kept six clean sheets along the way. But only so far, so good.  That impressive run ended on Thursday with a 2-1 defeat away to Celtic. A dip in form at the right time? Nobody in the Black and Red camp would object to that…

seven out of eleven

This season, the Red Bulls have found it difficult after playing on the European stage: Leipzig have only won once in the league after Europa League games (6-0 against FC Nürnberg) – plus three draws and one defeat. And the Werkself? Seven of the eleven points picked up so far in the Bundesliga have come after games in the Europa League. Carry on lads!

bon voyage!

Talking about seven from eleven. The Werkself have earned seven points from the last three away games – in Düsseldorf (2-1), Freiburg (0-0) and Bremen (6-2). And the DFB Cup game  at Gladbach also saw the Werkself demonstrate their ambitions with a 5-0 victory. At this point, it is worth looking back at the last match in the city in Saxony where the Herrlich team put four past the Red Bulls. More of the same please!

fingers crossed for Bellarabi

Karim Ballerbi's form is no secret to anybody who follows German football. The 28-year-old has scored in five games on the bounce (including three in the league) and he has certainly made his mark with a personal record. The Werkself number 38 had to go off against Hoffenheim due to a muscle problem but he was able to train again on Friday in an individual session. There is a question mark over his availability for Sunday. But if he is on the pitch then that will  be a big statement of intent. 

GENEROUS Swabian

And although a look at the current table is not particularly inspiring, the Bayer boys should not be unsettled. RB Leipzig were also ahead of Bayer 04 prior to the last away game at the Zentralstadion. And the Werkself should not be  discouraged by the fact Leipzig last conceded at home on 20 September. The RB coach Ralf Rangnick, with his Swabian background, has been quite generous and hospitable towards Bayer 04 – the 60-year-old has not conceded more victories in the Bundesliga against any other club as they have to the Werkself. Nine times, to be precise.

referee Martin Petersen

When RB Leipzig were founded in 2009 that was also the year Martin Petersen started his career as a DFB referee. However, in contrast to Leipzig (78 Bundesliga matches), the 33-year-old from Stuttgart has only refereed ten games in Germany's top flight to date. His second match – almost exactly a year ago on 4 November – was in Leipzig (a 2-1 win for RB against Hannover 96). This will be the first time thee estate agent has officiated a match involving the Werkself. Could there be anything better on his eleventh Bundesliga outing? 

go for it #RBLB04

All Bayer 04 supporters unable to be at the match are welcome at the Schwadbud looked to watch the game together: The doors of the fan pub at the BayArena (East Stand) opens its doors at 14.30 CET, one hour before kick-off. Other options for following the Werkself from afar are provided on club channels: Werkself Radio is available on bayer04.de as are live text updates (both in German). The Werkself social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat)  also provide opportunity to keep up-to-date with all the action. And finally it is worth noting we have never lost on a Sunday this season. Hopefully that will remain the case in our 04 Sunday game. Forza Bayer!