Can Leipzig regain decisive motivation?

In Group G of the Champions League, all decisions have already been made ahead of the final matchday. Manchester City and RB Leipzig have long since secured their place in the round of 16, while Young Boys from Bern will definitely continue in the Europa League in spring 2024. For Red Star Belgrade, the international season ends with the highlight match at home against the Citizens on Wednesday evening. At the same time, Leipzig also want to do something for their self-confidence and their own coffers

Although it has to be taken into account that both matches in Group G are all about the “Golden Pineapple”, the betting odds clearly favor the home team in the RB Leipzig vs Young Boys clash. At the top of the odds, just 1.37 is offered for the host team to win. The odds are therefore a whopping 72%. If, on the other hand, the visitors from Switzerland win an away game for the first time in their Champions League history, the payout will be almost eight times the stake

In the first leg on the unfamiliar artificial turf at the Stade Wankdorf, the Bundesliga side won 3:1. In their own stadium, where Rose’s team is traditionally even stronger at both international and national level, everything points to another success for the central city side.

With regard to a potential RB Leipzig vs Young Boys betting tip, the key question is probably which personnel both coaches will send out onto the pitch. Even in the event of a major rotation, however, the Bulls still have enough quality to bring the reigning Swiss champions to their knees at home

RB Leipzig – statistics & current form

For RB Leipzig, the group stage in the top flight has gone as expected. The Saxons lost the first and second legs against Manchester City, but won the other three matches against Red Star Belgrade (twice) and Young Boys. Coach Marco Rose’s charges thus secured their ticket to the round of 16 with two matchdays to go and can now go into the final home game against the Swiss champions with complete freedom.

Even though there is nothing at stake in the table, the Bulls are hoping for a win. On the one hand, to confirm their upward trend with their third competitive match win. On the other hand, because of the almost 3 million euros that will be paid out in the event of a win in the CL group stage. We therefore expect a respectable home performance from the Bundesliga club, although they will certainly make a few changes to their personnel here and there

Can Sesko show his skills from the start?

Benjamin Sesko is pushing for a place in the starting eleven, especially in attack. The new signing from RB Salzburg has impressed during his numerous substitute appearances so far, but will not be able to get past Lois Openda. Although Openda has already scored four times in five CL games for RBL and is now chasing Christopher Nkunku’s club record of seven goals in a Champions League season, we expect Sesko to be in the starting line-up on Wednesday evening.

Apart from that, everything points to a home triumph for the Central City side, who have won eight of their 13 home games in the CL group stage so far. Interesting fact: Seven of these eight victories were accompanied by at least one goal conceded. For statistics freaks, it should also be noted that RBL have always managed to win on matchday six in the top flight in the past three seasons. It is quite possible that this streak can be extended and, as in the first leg, even a handicap victory can be celebrated.

Predicted line-up for RB Leipzig:

Young Boys – Statistics & current form

The Young Boys from Bern have definitely achieved their minimum goal in this Champions League group stage. After a successful play-off against Maccabi Haifa and four points from the two games against Red Star Belgrade, the Swiss side’s European Cup season will continue in the Europa League next spring. The visit to Saxony on Wednesday evening will therefore only be of a statistical nature for the Yellow & Blacks.

Nevertheless, there will probably be no lack of motivation, as the aim is to polish up a dismal record and end a worrying dry spell. None of the eight away CL matches in BSC’s history have been won. Two draws contrast with six defeats. AEK Athens (15) and APOEL Nicosia (14) are the only two clubs in the long history of the most important club competition at UEFA level to have gone longer without an away win. It is therefore hardly surprising that the bookmakers are going so far out on a limb in the odds for RB Leipzig v Young Boys

Will the Bernese be pushed to their limits again away from home?

Another powerful argument relates to YB’s defensive vulnerability. In four out of five group games, the team of former Bundesliga professional Raphael Wicky conceded at least two goals. In total, they even conceded eleven goals. The defense, quite inexperienced at this level, made too many individual mistakes and invited their opponents to score time and time again. Furthermore, the reigning league champions are not used to focusing on working against the ball. Deficits are therefore inevitable on Wednesday evening.

The weakness in foreign stadiums, which has already been mentioned, also speaks for this. At Manchester City, the Yellow & Blacks were completely without a chance over 90 minutes (0:3) and even at Red Star Belgrade, the Swiss side had to survive some difficult phases to salvage a 2:2 draw. In the Super League, Wicky’s side have also only managed three wins in eight attempts away from home.

The absence of top scorer Cedric Itten and difference-maker Kastriot Imeri means that the Bernese will hardly be able to provide any relief. As a result, they are likely to concede goals in the first 45 minutes, similar to City (2) or Belgrade (1). Particularly risk-averse bettors will find attractive odds of almost 3.00 at the top for the prediction of two or more goals by the home side in the first half between RB Leipzig and Young Boys.

Predicted line-up of Young Boys:

RB Leipzig – Young Boys Direct comparison / H2H result

In the first leg on the artificial turf in Bern, Simakan put Leipzig ahead after just three minutes. Meschack Elia equalized after just over half an hour to make it 1:1, before Xaver Schlager and Benjamin Sesko secured a 3:1 victory for the superior visitors in the second half. It was the first and only meeting between these two clubs so far. The second leg on Wednesday evening will be the Swiss side’s sixth visit to Germany. The Young Boys have only been successful in one of their previous five attempts (1-2-2).

RB Leipzig – Young Boys tip

In a game in which nothing is at stake in the table, the intrinsic motivation and seriousness of the players is the most important thing. Home teams often have the advantage on their side because they want to give their fans another great performance and a win. On Wednesday evening, everything also speaks for the hosts, who are the clear favorites according to the RB Leipzig vs Young Boys odds

In addition to the home advantage, the impressions from the first leg and the good form, the qualitative difference should not be disregarded. What’s more, the visitors from Switzerland have never won away from home in the top flight and will also be without one or two key players. Regardless of which professionals RBL coach Rose lets off the leash, we expect a commanding home win in keeping with their status

Our preferred approach is therefore to bet on the handicap (-1) between RB Leipzig and the Young Boys in favor of the hosts.