This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy Soccer series.
Game Preview
RB Leipzig and Paderborn couldn't be facing more different contexts heading into Saturday's match. While the hosts remain alive in the race for a 2020-21 UEFA Champions League berth, the visitors sit dead last in the standings and are 11 points away from leaving the red zone with 15 points available the rest of the season. It's clear they are bound to play in the 2.Bundesliga next season, it is only a matter of when they will get relegated. To tip the scales even further toward Leipzig, they are undefeated in their last 10 Bundesliga games (W4, D6) while avoiding losses in each of their last four competitive meetings against Paderborn (W3, D1).
Recent Form
RB Leipzig: W2, D3
Paderborn: D3, L2
Team News
RB Leipzig
OUT: Ethan Ampadu (back), Yussuf Poulsen (ankle)
Doubtful: Kevin Kampl (groin), Patrik Schick (undisclosed), Konrad Laimer (undisclosed), Ibrahima Konate (leg)
Paderborn
OUT: Luca Kilian (thigh)
Doubtful: Gerrit Holtmann (undisclosed), Sebastian Schonlau (undisclosed), Samuel Fridjonsson (undisclosed)
Expected Lineups
RB Leipzig: Peter Gulacsi; Marcel Halstenberg, Lukas Klostermann, Dayot Upamecano, Konrad Laimer, Angelino; Marcel Sabitzer, Dani Olmo, Christopher Nkunku; Patrik Schick, Timo Werner
Paderborn: Leopold Zingerle; Jamilu Collins, Mohamed Drager, Uwe Hunemeier, Sebastian Schonlau; Klaus Gjasula, Gerrit Holtmann, Sebastian Vasiliadis; Christopher Antwi-Adjei, Streli Mamba, Dennis Srbeny
Top Picks
Timo Werner: Werner bagged a goal in the previous contest against Paderborn this season, and he
Game Preview
RB Leipzig and Paderborn couldn't be facing more different contexts heading into Saturday's match. While the hosts remain alive in the race for a 2020-21 UEFA Champions League berth, the visitors sit dead last in the standings and are 11 points away from leaving the red zone with 15 points available the rest of the season. It's clear they are bound to play in the 2.Bundesliga next season, it is only a matter of when they will get relegated. To tip the scales even further toward Leipzig, they are undefeated in their last 10 Bundesliga games (W4, D6) while avoiding losses in each of their last four competitive meetings against Paderborn (W3, D1).
Recent Form
RB Leipzig: W2, D3
Paderborn: D3, L2
Team News
RB Leipzig
OUT: Ethan Ampadu (back), Yussuf Poulsen (ankle)
Doubtful: Kevin Kampl (groin), Patrik Schick (undisclosed), Konrad Laimer (undisclosed), Ibrahima Konate (leg)
Paderborn
OUT: Luca Kilian (thigh)
Doubtful: Gerrit Holtmann (undisclosed), Sebastian Schonlau (undisclosed), Samuel Fridjonsson (undisclosed)
Expected Lineups
RB Leipzig: Peter Gulacsi; Marcel Halstenberg, Lukas Klostermann, Dayot Upamecano, Konrad Laimer, Angelino; Marcel Sabitzer, Dani Olmo, Christopher Nkunku; Patrik Schick, Timo Werner
Paderborn: Leopold Zingerle; Jamilu Collins, Mohamed Drager, Uwe Hunemeier, Sebastian Schonlau; Klaus Gjasula, Gerrit Holtmann, Sebastian Vasiliadis; Christopher Antwi-Adjei, Streli Mamba, Dennis Srbeny
Top Picks
Timo Werner: Werner bagged a goal in the previous contest against Paderborn this season, and he is a consistent threat up front regardless of opponent. The most expensive player in the slate at 11.0 credits, he is worth the risk – the Germany international currently ranks as the second-best goalscorer in the Bundesliga with 25 goals in 29 matches.
Christopher Nkunku: The Frenchman scored the last time out, but that was his first goal since Feb. 1. He is one of the leaders of the Bundesliga in assists with 13 in 27 matches, and he also has five goals to boot.
Lineup Strategies
Paderborn do not have much of a floor. They rank among the worst teams in the league in both scoring (32 goals) and defending (61 goals conceded), so it is very hard to trust them in either end of the pitch. As such, the best strategy ahead of this matchup is to load up on high-upside Leipzig players. Names such as Werner and Nkunku are a given, but other alternatives look solid, too.
Peter Gulacsi (8.5 credits) could be a strong vice-captain alternative due to his high potential for a clean sheet, while defenders such as Angelino (8.5 credits) and Nordi Mukiele (8.5 credits) could pay strong dividends too. The same goes for creative midfielders such as Marcel Sabitzer (9.5 credits) and even Patrik Schick (9.5 credits) could get a boost in selection, as he will replace Yussuf Poulsen once again.
Captain and Vice-Captain Options
Dream11 Team
GK: Peter Gulacsi
DF: Nordi Mukiele
DF: Uwe Hunemeier
DF: Angelino
MF: Christopher Nkunku (VC)
MF: Kai Proger
MF: Gerrit Holtmann
FW: Timo Werner (C)
FW: Patrik Schick
FW: Dennis Srbeny
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn.