RB Leipzig vs. Schalke 04 – prediction, team news and odds

RB Leipzig host FC Schalke 04 at the Red Bull Arena on Matchday 3 of the Bundesliga on Saturday, as Julian Nagelsmann’s side look to return to winning ways.

RB Leipzig have started the season well and sit fourth in the fledgling Bundesliga table after two games.

Leipzig could only manage a 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen last week.

Schalke are a club in crisis, they are 18 Bundesliga matches without a win and have conceded 11 goals in two games so far this season.

Leipzig have finished second or third in three of their last four Bundesliga seasons – finishing sixth the other year – and once again look like one of the best teams in the division.

They boasted the second-best defence in the league last term and scored an impressive 81 goals in 34 games, but were held back by failing to convert draws into wins.

Reason for RB Leipzig vs. Schalke predictions:

• Leipzig have lost only one of their last five competitive matches.
• Schalke have conceded 20 goals in their last four Bundesliga assignments.
• Schalke have failed to score in three of the last four meetings between the sides.

Leipzig have won four of their eight games against Schalke so far. They have only lost twice, with two games ending in draws.

Leipzig only lost four league games last season – the same number as eventual champions Bayern Munich – but their 12 draws was the joint-highest tally in the Bundesliga.

Schalke have much bigger problems, however. They last won a Bundesliga game in January and are on an 18-game winless run in the competition and they have conceded at least twice in each of their last five assignments, enhancing appeal about backing Leipzig at -2 goals on the handicap.

Without a win in their last 12 away games in Bundesliga, this is a supremely challenging task for Schalke and although the new man can instil some confidence in them, it may take some time with the home side able to win this one by at least two clear goals, as they did in their opening game of the season at the Red Bull Arena.

Our prediction:

RB Leipzig 3-0 FC Schalke 04

RB Leipzig @ 1.68